The Lamar register., 1921-12-14

thing to have done, Rainey felt, Dut ne
could not avoid mental shiver at the
thought of the man, so lately vital. his
brain alive with energy, sliding through
ihe cold water to the ooze to lie there,
sodden, swinging with the sub-sea cur
rents until the ocean scavengers
claimed him.
'All right, Hansen" he said In an
swcr. and the man hurried of after his
extra detail.
Lund came up after while. and
Rnincy told him OF the fate of Carl
sens body.
Il iggered they'd do about that"
commented Lund. They sawed he'd
aimed To make suckers out Of EN-, an
they dumped him. But they amt on
our side, by long sight. That Deming
is better man than | thought. He's
the main crouch among 'em. Said II
hadn't had gun he'd have tackled me
in the cabin. Meant It, too, though I'd
have smashed him. He's sore becoz 1
said he warn't my equal. told him If
he wanted to try 1t out, I'd accommo-
date him. lie didn't take 1t up, an
they'll kid him about 1t. He'll pack a
grudge | amt afraid of their knifin'
me. not while the skipper's sick. They
need me to navigate"
This might be good chance for me
to handle sextnnt." suggested Itainey
casually.
Lund shook his head, smiling, but
his eyes hard.
"Not yet, mntey," he said. mot
that | don't trust you, but for me to
be the only one, jest now. is sort of
life insurance that suits me to carry.
They might figger. If you was able to
navigate. that they c'ud put the screws
un you To carry 'em through. with me
out OF the way. | don't say they could.
but they might make 1t hard for you,
an you amt got quite the same stake
I'm this have"
Here was cold logic, but RaIney saw
the force of IL. Hansen came up early
TO split the watch and put their sched-
ule right again. and Lund went below
with Rainey. Lund ordered Tamada
TO bring bottle and glasses, and they
sat down at the table. Rainey needed
the kick OF drink. and took one.
As Lund was raising his glass with
u lNdNl VI ittAt ~ Aht
per's door opened and the girl APP
peared She looked like ghost. Her
hair was disheveled and her eyes
stared at them without seeming recog-
milton. But she spoke, In u Hat. tone
less voice.
My father is deadl l." she fall
tered, swayed and seemed TO swoon as
she sank toward the floor. Ralney
darted forward. but Lund was quicker
and swooped her up In his arms as II
she had been feather. took her TO
the table. set her In chair. dabbled
u napkin in some water and applied it
TO her hrows.
~Chnfe her wrists" he ordered
Rainey. Undo that top button OF her
blouse. That's enough; she aIn't got
OIL corsets she'll eome through
Plumb worn out. That's all
lie handled her. deftly as a nurse
would child. Rainey chafed the sien-
der wrists and beat her palms, and
scon she opened her eyes and sighed
Then she pulled away from Lund.
hending over her. snd got TO her feet
Il must ~ to my father" she said
~He is dead"
They followed her into thS cabin and
Lund bent over the bunk.
Looks like it," he whispered to
Rainsy. Then ne tore open the skip
per's vest and shirt and laid his head
on his chest. The girl made faint
molten as II to stop him. but did not
hinder him. She was al the end OF her
0Vn strength from weariness and wor-
ry. Lund suddenly raised his head
There's n fiutter.~ he announced
He amt gone yit. Get Tsmada an
some brandy
With the dose there came signs Of
revival. low moan from the skipper.
The girl dew TO his side. Tamads.
standing by with the bUStle- stepped
forwari. handed the brandy 10 Rainey,
and rolled up the lia u an eye. look
lng closely at the pupil
i study medicine at Tokyo" he
said
why didn't ye say 50 beforeT de
inandt,i Lund Il dii not occur 10 any
~ them 70 doubt Tamads'> word There
VAS al air 0f professional assurance