The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-11
CHAPTER I. he Woman in The Boat.

The Woman III The Boat.
 The second officer stared through his glass again. At that instant the object clearly defined itself. An exclamation broke from him.
 Gee whizI It's a woman in a boat, and she's alonet'
 He hurried to the center of the bridge.
 In less than ten minutes all the pas sengers and the crew were alert with the knowledge that their little steam CT was heading straight for drift ing boat
 The City of Tokyo, bound for An con from San Francisco. was about fifty miles off the coast of Salvador when the monotony of the voyage was thus broken.
 The City of Tokyo neared her swiftly.
 Eager eyes searched the lonely fig ure in the tiny craft. The captains orders rang out | through the clear air, the engines were stopped, a boat was lowered, and the mate and the surgeon de- cended to the rescue. The rescued craft was hauled on board and the steamer sent ahead at full speed.
 When at length the surgeon ap- peared an avalanche of questions de- | scended on him.
 My dear people," he said, 'fI can not tell you anything. The lady hasn't spoken a word yet. She's pretty sick, I guess''
 A gray haired lady. the oldest of the party spoke up. | Let me take care of her, doctor'' she said. I'm as good as a profess sional nurse any day.''
 "Is that SO? Then come right in,' the surgeon replied. Mrs Sanderson's oortIy form van ished into the sick girls cabin And here the real mystery of the l case began
 The girl refused to say whence she had come or how she had chanc- ed to be adrift in the canvas boat. Arguments and entreafes from Mrs. Sanderson, doctor, and captain were alike useless. | All kinds of stories were woven around this unaccountable silence.
 The captain was puzzled. Had he I picked up a refugee who was escap- ing the penalty of some crime? Was guilt the reason of this dogged si- | 1enceS
 | The physical condition of the pa tient improved rapidly Youth a Nl a sound constitution asserted them selves, and soon the girl rose from her bed.
 When the girl was told by the surgeon that she must make an ef- fort and go out on deck she consent | ed alphabetically. Mrs. Sanderson lent her a cool white robe and she dressed herself, utterirg nothing but phrases of gratitude and apologies for the trouble she was giv1ns.
 Mrs. Sandersop went out to an- nounce her coming A thrill of excitement ran through every one as the door of the cabin opened. The girl came forth Iean- l ing on the surgeons arm.
 The bachelor stood a few pa.es off, by the smoking room, and looked | at her.
 He saw a slender figure of medium | height, clad in a loose gown of mus in and lace; a small white face. with regular features; eyes of some deep- dark color, large and unspeakabIy sad; hair that glistened like newly spun flax around a classic head
 He moved leisurely toward her af ter she was comfortably seated.
 Mrs. Sanderson did the correct thing
 My dear" she said, bending owe, the girl, 'I want to introduce a friend of mine"
 The girl looked up in quick startled way. A faint color stole in. -ASi ~AVChS, lIIO SlaTCleU lOOE died in her eyes.
 The bachelor dropped intc a chai, beside her. and Mrs. Sandersor strolled off to write some letters.
 I didn't catch your name" he said. smiling at here. What dit Mrs Sanderson say? Miss-Miss- oh, l wonder if you'd mind telling m, again ?''
 There was moments hesitation Then she answered hastily: My name is May-Nora May"