Evening star., 1927-11-02
1tinued from Yesterdays Star.)
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Ten Of Hearts.

ly. longing to take a more &C.
~ tive part in what was going
forward, but restrained by
Mariott's orders. He had told her
very little; no details except that help
was coming and she must obey i'm.
sjifcitly, and at the last minute he had
put small, shining, new revolver In
her hand and told her to guard her.
self well against surprise by Norman
and his gang, but to watch the sea.
Then a speck had appeared on the
water, approaching till she could see
that it was crowded with sailors, and
in their midst was something that
Elitered in the sun like a miniature
machine gun. Marriott had returned
to her with Lucy. but left again after
a moment, and together the two girls
d, waited till the 1ongboat had grounded
on the beach.
The rest happened so quickly that
she scarcely realized it. Most of the
sailors piled out with the gun. she and
Lucy were bundled into the boat and
1t had put to sea again before she
knew it.
"Mr. Marriott! Put back. You're leav-
/ ing himt'
But the sailors paid no heed and
only Lucy laid hand on her arm.
Yes, miss. sThat was is orders.
The sailors is there to protect i'm and
once you're safe away Ell be come
back for
Janet shook off the restraining hand
and leaped to her feet.
Go back!' She held out her arms
in an agony Of entreaty. How can
You leave him! Your men can't reach
him, he's hurt and facing that beast
alone! I'll Jump
But Lucy pulled her determinedly
back in her seat and the man at the
bow spoke
Excuse me miss. Mr.. Mariott's
own orders and you'll be quite safe
Look alive, now."
He added the last to the men at
the oars. and as they skinned over
the water Janet sat i'm dull misery.
What was happening back there on
the sandbar? He had stayed to
cover their escape, of course: she
hadn't understood what that final
handclasp meant! He had stayed to
hold Norman's attention. but every
thing must have been discovered by
now and perhaps he was lying!
Then the gun roared, it's reverbera-
tion booming to them over the water,
and she turned and gazed back. A
single pun Of smoke was rising, but
no second report came and the island
faded and sank low, a mere strip of
sand with two dark blotches for the
huts, and then the haze obliter-
ated it.
On the yacht were all strange
masculine faces, and to her reaties
the captains only assurance was that
when she and her maid were put
ashore they would go back for Mr.
It's Boston where we're landing,
miss" Lucy volunteered in the
privacy of their<cabin. We're to go
on by fast train to New York and
wait there, and you'll see as 'ow
everything will be all right
She spoke In a reassuring tone,
taking 1t for granted that her posi-
tion had changed from that of guard
to guardian, but Janet had other
plans. She could do nothing for
Philip now save pray that he would
come through safely; if the sailors
had not succeeded in protecting him
she was helpless to do so. Love had
come to her for her little hour, but
the sacred task she had set herself
was before her and there was no
time to be lost.
Once during the early evening
they passed SO close to the shore
that she could hear the faint, sweet
ringing Of village church bells. Sum
day! They had left New York bu-
fore dawn on Thursday; it was
three whole days. 1t would be four
when they reached it again ind
what might not have happened in
meantime?
Early in the morning they res,ehed
Boston Harbor and TAXED - the
station. where the train was just
pulling out for New York. The
change in a few short hours from
the remote sandbar vita its specter
civilization was bewildering, but
Janet contentedly followed the ca
pable Lucy's lead until they were
settled In the car. She tried to keep
her thoughts sternly fixed on the
work yet to come, but they kept
straying back to the father she had
lost and the drama which might
have been played to a tragic end on
the desolate island. and her heart
was wrung.
It's no good worrying about what
might ave 'appened, miss" Lucy
whispered as trainboy came down
the aisle. i've no end of money to
see us through, and IL you'd like
some books or magazines? :"
Janet shook her head but at sight
of the boys burden an inspiration
came 10 ner.
mo. but I think I'll get a pack Of
cards. / could fix my mind on a
game of solitaire. perhaps"
Patience, miss?" Lucy gave the
game its English name and her eyes
opened wide. You shall ave it, /
didn't know as 'ow you'd learned to
play cards!"
Janet smiled at this reference to
the convent. but made no rejoinder,
and when the pack was purchased
and the porter had set a small table
up before her she spread the cards
out, managing to drop the seven of
hearts In her lap. Lucy watched her
for while and then retired behind a
magazine quite as though they were
on pleasure trip. while janet moved
the cards about aimlessly vet with
beating heart.
The man in the chair in front of
her had turned squarely to the win
dows and In the small mirror that
hung between them she could see
that he was covertly watching her.
lie must have seen her secrete the
seven OF hearts. for he had swerved
his chair the instant she asked for
the pack of cards. Could Ii be?
Stealtihly she surveyed him in the
mirror. He was stocky, ruddy-
faced young man with an upturned
nose and standing pompadour of
bright red hair. and his ready-made
clothes and alert, self-sat atisfied air
reminded her of the younger COM
smercial men she had encountered on
the Sudanic.
She met his eyes with a troubled
squestion In her own and instantly
he turned his chair still more to-
| sward her. stopped and Strengthened
with playing card in his hand.
Excuse me. / think you dropped
| sthis?''