Okolona messenger., 1921-10-13
COPYRIGHT
THE BOBBs-A MERRILL
cOMHANY

4
} ward swoop. "Aflss Jane Harding and
party have left the hOtelir
"FOr-the IsIandT gasped.
He raised his eyebrows. "Can't
say. I'm sure" He gaSe me an ap-
praislng stare. Perhaps the woe in
my face touched him. for he descend.
1 Cd from the e4aiDence q the hotel
clerk where he dwelt apart sufflcient-
" to add. "Is Il Important chat you
should see her7s
II am her niece. have come all
the way from San francisco expect
Ing to join her here"
The clerk medltated. his shrewd
eyes piercing the very secrets Of my
soul.
/ "She knew nothing about It,- / has
tened 70 add. II intended II for q
surprise"
This candor helped my cause.
"Well." he said. '.that explains her
not leaving any word. AS you are
her niece. ! suppose II will do no harm
to tell you that Miss Harding and her
party embarked this morning on the
freighter Rufus Smith. and / think
Il very likely TINT the steamer has
not left port. II you like viii send
Q man to the waterfront with you and
you may be able to 90 on board and
have talk with your aunt"
Did thank hlmf / have often
wondered when walked up in the
night. | have vision OF myself
dashing out Of the hotel, and then the
hack that brought me is bearing me
away. Bellboys hurled my bags in
after me, and threw them Iargess
rcckIessly. Madly we clattered over
cobbled ways. Out on the smooth
waters Of the roadstead lay ships
great and small. ships with stripped
masts and smOkeless tunnels, others
with faint gray spirals wreathfng up
ward from their stacks. Was one of
these the Rufus Smith, and would
reach her-or him-befOre the thin
gray feather became a thick black
plume? thought Of my aunt at the |
mercy of these unknown adventurers
with whom she had set forth, help
less as little fat pigeon among
hawks, and felt. desperately, that
must reach her. must save her from
them and bring her safe back to
shore. How was to do this at the
eleventh hour, plus about fifty-seven
minutes, as at present, hadn't com
sidered. But experience had taught I
me that once In my clutches Aunt
jane would offer about as much re-
sistance as a slightly melted wax doll.
She gets so soft that you are almost
afraid to touch her for fear Of leav-
ing dents.
SO to get there, get there, get there,
was the one prayer of my soul.
! got there, in a boat hastily COM
mandeered by the hotel clerks dep
uty. We brought up under the side
Of the little steamer. and the wide
surprised face OF a Swedish deck
hand stared down at us.
"Let me aboardi l must come
aboard" l cried.
Other faces appeared, then d rope
ladder. Somehow / was mounting
tia dizzy feat TO which only the tu-
mutt Of my emotions made me indlf.
ferent. Bare brawny arms Of sailors
clutched at me and drew me to the
deck. There at once / was the CEN
ter Of q circle Of speechIess and aston
ished persons. ali men but one.
"WellY" demanded large breezy
voice. whats this meani What ID
You want aboard my shlp7''
| looked up at a red-faced man ii
a large straw hat. Ii
Il want my aunt" explained. Ii
"YOur aunt?" he roared. "Why the
devil should you think I'VE got your
auntT'
'You have got her" / replied with
frmness 4 don't see her. but she's
here somewhere
The captain Of the Rufus Smith
shook two large red fists above his
head.
Another lunatic |" he shouted. "Td
as soon have white horse ana min.
ister aboard as go to sea in a flOating
bedlaUl -
As the captains angry thunder
died away came the small, anxious
voice OF Aunt Jane.
whats the matterT Oh. please tell
me what's the matterl" she was say.
ing as she edged her way into the
group Her eyes; round. pale, blink
Ing d little in the tropical gihre,
roved over the circle until they lit on
me. Right where she stood Aunt Jane
petrified. Her poor little chin dropped
until Il disappeared altogether IN the
folds Of her plump neck. and she Re.
mained speechless. stricken, lmmobile
as q wax figure ID an exhibition.
sAunt Jane said. ''you must coine
right hack to shore with me-. spoke
calmly, for unless you are perfectly
calm with Amt Jane you fIuster her.
she replied only by slight COB
bling IN her throat but the other
woman spoke 10 loud voice, al
dressed not to me bpt to the universe
h general
The Young Person "a mad ~ II was
~ nDmIsfakahly British intonafl0n.
n al