Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-02
CHAPTER XVIII.


Jimmy's sensation as he struck the
water was of having broken through
a thick sheeting of ice with terrlnc
crash. He felt himself plunging
down and downward. farther and
farther, without volition. helpless. I'M
able to stem the terrific speed or MS
dive.
1t was impossible to open his eyes.
He still kept on. though his lungs
cried for air. The water 1ncioseo
him. He found himself wondering
how far it was possible for MS mo-
mentum to carry him. Then the
danger of death, which until then had
been absent, returned.
Slowly he felt his descent slacken.
He struck out blindly. the insides of
his lungs burning Yet he did not
breathe, nor open his mouth--he still
held on. A few bubbles of breath he
let out. There was a roaring in his
ears. Blindly he fought his way up
ward.
1t seemed ages before ray OF light
pierced his hot eyelids. He opened his
ewes. A moment more, and with
gasp that was half a groan he drew
in a mouthful of air. Gratefully ne
struck out, though weary. yet grlmly
determined to hold his place" on the
surface.
The Faustania doomed, a monstrous
sea animal, scarcely city block away
rom him. towering over the splteful
waves. He gave a gasp. 1t seemed
bearing down on him. Weakly he
threw up one arm.
Then, In the next second, he
breathed freely with relief. The
ship was swerving outward and losing
speed.
Going to pick me up, at that" he
muttered, splitting salt water ana
Breathing deep draughts of air when
his into his aching lungs. His body
was almost numb and he thanked
Providence for the Jacket which was
keeping him af1oat. Far on on the
skyline, a Swimming winged bird, was
the speck of Broadmoor's Bleriot,
heading back for France.
1t was 10 minutes before the ships
lifeboat reached his side and hauled
his almost unconscious figure into the
stern sheets. where he lay with eyes
closed breathing jerkily. In min
utes more, he was climbing up the
Faustania IS Jacobs.ladder, an echo OF
the captains prolific profanity in his
ears. His head was dizzy; he felt
faint.
He reached the top Of the ladder,
fell over the rail. and had an in
stant's glimpse of a number of curl.
Gus faces, the captains red and
nfuriated-stupid. receding faces
Rogers.
Jimmy smiled. Before you can
say it, old thing-Im sorry I was
detained" Rogers brows drew down.
Jimmy turned to the master of the
ship.
Accept my apologies, skipper" he
whispered, swaying-'a my
thanks"
That was almost all he knew. A
great dark cloud semeed to have de.
scended over him. He reeled. slipped
forward. and then a strange. polgn-
antly delicious odor was in his nos
trils and soft, tender arms were about
him. He heard a voice that he had
heard for weeks in his dreams
Jim-Jimmy dear
That was all. Weakness-the effect
of the rarif1ed air of the clouds, the
physical exertion of the past few
DAYS and nights-the awful. muscle
tearing plunge into the depths OF
the channel-brough Jim Brandon
down to the deck.
He awakened in a cabin with the
faint, reminiscent scent of it in his
nostrils, and looked about wonder
ingly. Recollection came in the next
instant, to be followed by wonder.
Had he dreamed-or had it really
been Natalie into whose arms he had
fallen? And If it hadn't been she
no, he wasn't dreaming now. 1t was
in the room-that subtle odor of black
narcissus."
He was looking about him dubious
w, coming slowly to the decision that
he had not been seriously hurt by his
exposure or his wild dive. Through
the open portfolio, as the ship rolled
slightly, he caught sight of blue
horizon and a comparatively calm
sea.
Bound for New York-the last lap.
He looked up suddenly. The door
to his stateroom was opening slowly.
cautiously. ,Jimmy's fists clenched
and he found strength returning.
Was it Rogers? If 1t was, there was
going to be a showdown.
Then he fell back upon his pillow,
speeches.. In the doorway stood
Natalie Crane!
Words rushed to his lips-endear-
ments which he had formed in long
dreams: but he held them all back.
"Nataliew he cried. "At last"
He didn't know why he said that,
but it came out. With a little flush,
she stepped inside.
II just peeked in to see that you
were all right" she said. THAT leap
from the airplane-I knew it was you
when you did it. But. Mr.. Br-"
MIR. What?" Jimmy cut in. Am
l mistaken, or did I hear you call me
something else-awhile back?"
Natalie looked away. THAT was
when 1 was-worried over YOU
well, get worried again. won't
WI, ." he n1rSued "I'm really not