South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-09
ISABEL STRANDED

What's that2" A quick. incislve
voice smoke so close to them IN the
darkness that the sheriff Jumped.
To was Captain Warren's voice
which had interrupted him, but the
tones were quite unlike those which
Barry had heard before. They had
rasred out in stern command, and
TIE sheriff gulped and started his
story anew.
The FIVE men were so deeply en-
crossed in their plans that none OF
them noted a slender, dark-clad little
figure which lowered just beyond the
y7avering light of the lantern and
which now drew closer.
Let's go" suggested the captain
briefly. This is almost the time he
usually sets forth for his depreda-
tions, isn't it?"
They agreed and finally set of,
walking in single file down the path
which led 10 the shore. Behind them
a soft voice exclaimed aloud IN be-
vilderment. THE cave, But how
could the man have found it,"
The face which Fay had seen az
the window or the night OF her ar
rival rose once more before her
that strange. 1eering. wiid-eyed face.
in which there had been something
weirdly. hauntingly familiar All at
once she stiffened and stood as rigid
as statue. The next instant she
was off like a flying shadow in the
wake Of the manhUnters.
To Captain Warren, trailing along
on his crutches at the rear of the
party. there came an odd sense that
someone was behind him, trailing
~ fin turn He paused. Nothing
bu, shadows met his gaze. Cursing
himself for "A nervous. weak. in
competent. ne toiled painfully after
the others.
Tie had never felt his inirmity as
polgnantly before as on that night.
when there was excitement and ad-
venture abroad.
Tt Inundated him 20 have them
stop and wait for him. and he replied
almost surlily 10 their inquiries as to
how he wa sstanding the pace
That he was not standing it we'll
was painfully evident TO himself The
prolonged, Unaccustomed effort was
telling upon him When at last ne
reached the boat-shaped rock the
rest were far ahead
He sank down upon the rock.
painting and racked with pain. and it
was then that that sensation of
someone near came to him once
more with overwhelming force. He
Strengthened himself TO look about,
when a small hand was laid timidly
upon his shoulder and a soft voice
spoke close to his ear.
cts only j, captain"
Fay, Miss Tudori' he casped.
What are you dOinS here
81 followed because 1 thought I
could help" she replied. 81 was-I
was down by the garage when I
heard you discussing your plans. and
I could not avoid hearing. 7 think 1
know the place you are trying to
find, but Frank is leading you all
astray. Only myself and one other
ever knew it. 1 think, until this man
unaccountably stumbled upon It in
his wanderings"
What is it-some old deserted
shack % The captain was rapidly
. forgetting his rain and fatigue in
awakening interest.
Fay shook her head with a sad
+ little reminiscent smile.
There isn't even the remains Of a
human habitation along the shore
/ line for miles" She spoke very
softly. ct is a cave, Captain War
rem; not really d cave, you know but
+ Just natural assure in the rock.
upon which another has fallen.
/ forming a roof. l don't suppose the
whole thing is more than three feet
/ wide and about six long. Ny brother
+ and / discovered IL by chance one
/ day and we swore we would never
+ tell anybody about il. I can't imagine
+ how this poor man discovered It.
. but it IS the oEly shelter for miles. -
And YOU think he is there p"
Where else could he be. II II was
. the remains Of his fire which Frank
. found - she shrugged her shoulders.
, Il know a short cut from this rock
straight to it. and we can be there
ages ahead of the rest If you feel
4 strong enough to start"
The captain clipped his crutches
. beneath his armpits and pulled him
self up with alacrity.
You lead the way Miss Tudor
and Ill follow"
Continued in Our Next Issue.
Copyright. 1922. NEA Service.)