, 1924-09-24
The Red Line Trail

So sent him word that I would come
OUT TO welcome you. l sent the man
with me back to tell father and l
jumped Into my boat and rowed ont
l was going back for father almost
at once-as soon MS l got the mall"
But why didn't he follow?'
There's only the one boat. That
Is, there's but n available until the
tide goes out. So he can't come out
for hours and he-look !"
A section of the panelIng between
two Of the dead eyes that lighted the
cabin was swinging outward and q
mans foot was appearing beneath II.
The next moment 1t was followed by
the rest Of his body.
Don't be afraid" he said. "It's only
me-"
mfr. Carl" The words sprang from
Nellie's lips. mingled with something
suspiciously like a profane exclama-
ton from Captain Bunker.
That's mel" The newcomer hur-
ried across the room and began to I'M
tie the corns that bound Nellie to her
chair. Gee! / thought that fellow
never would 60" he declared. "and /
wasn't sure he had gone at first. 1t
was close quarters, waiting. Still"
He broke off. for Nellie had dropped
her head and was sobbing as If her
heart would break. srS
Carr dropped the cords and bent
over her. Nellie! Nellie I" he cried.
CO Hnnff nh D1Aana @Ov nI
I'm such a fi%at-footed idiot! l was
talking like a fool because I thought
1t would startle you less; and here
I've frightened you sol! What is 1t,
dear?'
The girl was muttering something
through her tears. The young man
bent down to listen, and she spoke
again. This time the words came
clearer.
I'm n-not startled or frightened
- anything" she sobbed. I'm
crying because I'm SO glad to see
you again."
Carr jumped. Then he dropped on
his knee beside the girl and threw his
arms around her-and the chair.
Captain Bunker was watching the
scene In profound disgust. "Belay
there! !" he roared. This isn't any
pink-tea party. Break away and cut
me loose quick. On 1t all. do you
know that HI is likely to pop around
here any minute?"
Carr jumped up "Right-o, captain !"
he cried. "Right-o! I'll be with you
in just a minute"
Nellie's loosened bonds fell at her
feet; and Carr turned to the captain
and quickly set him at liberty. Then
he turned back to Nellie and held out
his arms.
The girl walked into them and had
her weeping face on his shoulder. 1t
was a very dusty and unromantic
shoulder, too. but neither Of them
thought of that.
Captain Bunker thought Of II, how
ever. He was stretching his limbs
and feeling his cramped muscles,
meanwhile contemplating the proceed
ings with profound disfavor.
Carr caught his expression and
laughed happily. Captain Bunker"
he cried. IF this pains you, kindly
turn your back and sc%rutinlze the sec
ond portfolio on the starboard quar-
ter. Wen call you later"
But 1t was Nellie and not Bunker
who acted. Half laughing and half
sobbing, she pushed Carr from her,
and turned n rosy face toward the
z,.taln NNa.Ar n,tnd ronsoin y Qha
said. you may look all you like"
Never mind!' roared the captain.
But I do mind. miss. Where do you
think you are7 Stand back. Carr. or
I'll put you In irons. Whit the devil
are you doing on my ship, anyhow"
Carr laughed. That's a long story,
captain" he said. And I'm afraid ]
haven't time to tell 1t now. Your
friend Price may be back any minute.
I'll just say thnt when ! found out
that you were coming to meet Nellie
and her father l determined to come
along-the more especially as l wasn't
altogether satisfied with some Of your
prospective passengers. So ! cnme-"
But how the devil did you comet
And-nnd who made that opening Into
my cabln7'
81 did, cnptain-I and my e A
dozen men ran do a lot In seven days
when they work overtime, even II they
have to dodge n s~hnrp-eyed captain
and mate who eve seem to want to
90 ashore. But come. We're taking
chances"
The young man drew Nellie toward
he slit in the bulkhend. Come
along, captain" he called over his
shoulder.
Nellie went willingly. She seemed
almost gay again. "Show mel" she
ordered. "Oh-h-hi I'm 20 glad you
came. I was 30 frightened. But
now"
.Now it's all right. Good Lordi II
you knew how hard II was for me to
keep still while that blackguard was
talking But here we arei Peek
- --Gl- - .-l.NAA