Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-29

Stream would put her under
ample steerage way again.
Trask and the girl stole out upon
the forward deck as the sun dipped
red into the sea. although it was still
forbidden to passengers to venture
beyond the saloon. Hidden in a nook
where no watchful eye of officer or
deckhand was likely to observe them,
they stood and looked at the sea
anchor.
This is the end of her, suppose, .
the girl unused. I'm sorry She
helped us make such a fine fight.
Wen turn her loose when we're
through with her. won't we?"
Undoubtedly. If the ship were
might try to salvage her. They say
there's a good cargo of mahogany
aboard of her. She can't sink. But
ne wouldn't take q chance towing
with half-crippled ship"
"And she'll just keep on floating
and floating until"
Until a Coast Guard cutter To-
Gates her and plants some dynamite
aboard"
Il suppose it's necessary, but it'll
he a pity" said Sidney, shaking her
Darkness fell and they could barely
discern the black outline Of the hulk
A heavy sea still ran. but the waves
had rounded and smoothed out, and
the pitching Of the steamer became
regular and quieter.
"How long will we hold fast to
her?" the girl asked.
''It depends on the sea, they say.
/ heard an officer tell a passenger
that we might hold on until daylight"
Poor thing!" she exclaimed, staring
out into the gloom. ut seems
shame to cast her aside without even
being able to say good-by. Did theS
get all of the crew off?"
There were three men lost before
we sighted her, according to her cap.
tain"
She shuddered a little and fell
silent for a long time. The rim Of
the moon showed itself in the East.
They watched 1t climb out Of the sea,
casting a lane Of white light across
the water. Now they glimpsed the
derelict more clearly. 1t seemed to
be riding easily, the deck no longer
awash, although the hull was sunk
low.
Suddenly the girl sprang to her
feet and faced Trask. her hands
clasped and her eyes shining.
Let's say good-by to it!' she cried.
"How?''
Aboard Of itr'
Trask stared at her in astonish-
ment.
"Of course you're not serious" he
said, with little laugh.
Absolutely
But the things impossible, even II
II were not crazy"
TITS neither impossible nor crazy"
she said with emphasis. Il think it's
a great idea"
'sDo you imagine they'll lend you
a boat and a crew to take. you there?"
Certainly not. We can go In that
thingr'
She pointed to the dim outline of
the breeches buoy, which still hung
rove to the tackle.
He shook his head and laughed
{ again.
They'd never let you ride in that,
Sidney"
'sThey won't know it,! she declared.
You can haul me out to it and haul
me back"
"A fine chance Of my doing that.
DO you suppose I'm going to let you
go on such q hair-brained escapade?"
She drew her small figure up with
dignity.
Il do not need your consent" she
told him, "even IL / may need your
assistance.
"Oh. you know what mean, Sid
ney. mean that you can't possibly
take such a chance as that-parttcu-
larly alone"
But it will be such a great yad-
venture" she protested. And my
own, too, because / thought Of it.
Please, Billy, won't you help me?"
Don't start pleading" he warned.
But I will! I'm going to plead
very hard Sit down again. III ex-
plain it perfectly"
She talked earnestly for several
minutes. making little gestures of
emphasis. Trask had to admit that
she made a very plausible and at
tractive case for her wild idea. She
argued altogether too well; the thing
began to take on an aspect OF FEAST
bility. ;,
And you can see for yourself"
she said, there has been nobody near
that buoy for half an hour. They'll
, never know anything about 1t II
20. And I'm going"
TOO much danger" he said, shak-
ing his head.
= Nonsense, Those men came aboard
bv it through the hurricane. And
there's no wind at all now, and not
nearly so much sea"
You'd get soaked, probably"
''What of it? I've been sopping
wet dozens OF. times. And l'H--TH
wear a suit of fathers oilskins."
He laughed as he looked at her.
I'm almost as big as father she
said, resentfully. II can wear them
very easily
Trask felt himself hesitating. and
wondered at 1t. 1t was not to be
thought of, and yet
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