RPIrj Ffwwtyniw irw'FirailB'"HKMHWu Hn . a i hi i I , eT!!. -i ii 'mhhimhmm..mhmh CONTRAB u kfc Kifry ' IV ;ii: ROMANCE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC i 1 BY RANDALL PARRI5H VMeK wMMftXZ&i YJjCrY ( IIIK "$ Vx ?,v'..r) Bllnm ViWSmX S4 fv ' MI - " I wkSl mamsBhQ&h Wh rWPimEmI A mMWMMM? ca wmmmmm HB I- k f l CiM O MANY Items bear- Jjk X HHVTHHKS&H ' g l"B upon those ad- R$K V N RHEHV i HVWIKH V m ventures which have y$$& A&$&s MmmmMWh,. ::: V... .WBKwMzM$X$te!m O MANY Items hear Ing upon thoso ad ventures which have lately befallen mo hao found publica tion In the. newspa pers, oftentimes distorted and un true, and resulting In letters of Inquiry from friends, Induce mo now to write out 'the tale while tho Incidents remain fresh In -triemory. Indeed, I ouo tho truth not only to myself but crn moro to her who so bravily shared with mo tliot-e days nnd nights of perl. In doing this, which I now eoncelo to bo a duty. I require no Imagina tion, no knowledge of literary art, for all I reed tell Is the simple truth In plain, direct language, just ns I might relate It to com panions at the club. The story, unusual as It may appear to thoso whoso lives havo ever been bounded by tho commonplace, as natural enough .under the circum stances, and tho telling of if should bo equally unartlflelal. I havo nothing to con ceal, and my one deslro Is to record tho truth. The earlier passion of my llfo was tho lea, , and, when others of my age were rrlndlng away through their courses In col lege, I was apprenticed to the merchant service In a fleet largely owned by my father, trading between New York and northern European ports. Loving tho work, and possibly nssl3tod'by tho fact that I was my father's hon, I rose rapidly, until licensed as captain of steam, and assigned to command tho .Vulcan, a freighter of 3000 tons. At thirty, however, tho novelty and fascination of a sea llfo ceased Its attrac tion, a'nd when my father died sutllclent property bscamo my share from tho estate to enable my resigning this command, and retiring permanently from tho service. Cir cumstances, unnecessary now to relate, caused mo to mrekc permahent home In Chicago, where I soon became engrossed In business, finding my solo recreation In yachting upon tho Great Lakes. My In terest in this sport, and my ownership of a steam yacht of unusual power, grcatls widened my chclo of acquaintance. Such were the rather commonplaco surroundings of my life, when,' at thirty-seven, adventuio suddenly called me out Into tho unknown. Nothing could havo becrt more unexpected than the occasion which took me to New Tork. Carrlngton Gerald Carrlngton, tho Copper .King had just placed his new steam yacht, the Esmeralda, In commission, and was eager to christen It by a run ncross to the ports cf Spain. Ho wrote urging me 1 to becomo one of tho party. The temptation was Irresistible, for, as I knew Mrs. Car rlngton was In Europe, the guests on board would undoubtcdlyiall be men, and probably Congenial fcllovvg A bachelor myself, the long hours at sea had left me unaccustomed to tho society of women, whose presence I avoided when ever possible. Hence, I accepted Carrlng ton's invitation Immediately by wire, hnstlly packed a few things necessary for the trip, and unaccompanied by oven, a valet caught the Twentieth Century for New York. I ar rived thero July 28, 1914, registering at the Blltmore, with no .thought of adventure In my mind, but only jCntlclpatlons of a pleas ant, uneventful outing amid men of my own class, and an opportunity to view a land which I had never before visited. ' YACHT READY FOR SEA Carrlngton lived on Long Island, and 1 talked with him on the phone. There were to be twelve In tho party, the names of two, who were former acquaintances, alone be ing mentioned In our brief conversation. The yacht was lying at Tompklnsvllle, pro visioned, and ready for the sea. I must be on board by 3 o'clock the following day, and he gave me quite explicit Instructions M to the best mode of reaching the vessel. The remainder of the day was passed In calling upon certain old acquaintances In the city, and the reading of special newspa per editions, depleting the prospect of war In Europe. As Spain was In no way likely o beccmo Involved, I merely perused these reports with languid Interest. An accident to the ferry caused me to 'Miss the local train which 1 had anticipated taking tho next morning, and I was con equently the last of our yachting party to arrho at Tompklnsvlllc. The others were already safely aboard when I hurried across the gangplank, to receive the cor dial welcome of Carrlngton, who Imme diately ordered the vessel underway, Tjie Wests must have beeri gathered on the upper deck, enjoying the excitement of de parture, for I caught no glimpse of any one on board, excepting some members of the crew, as the steward led me to the cabin assigned to my use during the voy age. It was a sea parlor, evidently ex clusively mine, us no other luggage was Visible, containing a brass bed securely anchored to tho dek, and etfery imaginable convenience. As I stood, gazing out through the open port nt the Long Island ehoro lipping swiftly past, I could not but con " wast the comfort nnd luxury of the present "lth my old quarters on the freighter. It s like a leap Into fairyland. Even the brief view I had obtained of the boat Impressed me strongly, both with - .. intoMf hrtfn nn mn 11 1 1 1 s rrnlT 1") 'i r 1 W aaafeCiaBaaaaaaa'UaaUBBaaT'SAaaaaaaaaBaaaaaaaaaaaaV taW) t I n 'ii, 7. - . I-- aaat:aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaU J niMi.BJiBjM.aN'LU'Lr.i.'vi . i:r,iaaaa have found publlca- V- 3S mSmSKBOM-I ' mM P.crs. oftentimes ei--fX i3pSMS ; AarSfcSSiSEHSBMAll pB (iistortcu and un- s. .X'i'.r-X. KSSiTrsl"if3saH7 Ft-JEEoilM&llllMmmMBmWR1 $' sJ!?ii5?autJr' nnd seRKoInK qualities. I was fc':loT enough to annreclato all this at a - a arl . -.- ,.:.-ince. The Esmeralda was nu to evi ', .J ' AAntlt, ,1.. I.. ... 1 I.. . I nnnats..,n tlnw .. .., .. . . . -.., ... ;.... . luuyming to t a man io wnuni c ,Pense meant little. 'I wan aboard a steam Yacht, echnnner.rlinrixl nlnft nt liver 1500' " ,tn, constructed for deep-water cruising, fv.-sii-manned, and able to combat tne storms M any ocoan. Within, the furnishings were .nCh and taRtaful. whlln thn mnntmr In which h "e flipped through the waters evidenced J6T4 ,M mishtv nmifp nt ihn vnirlnes. Within wr stateroom the vibrations of the screw. r "ire scarcely perceptible, yet already we ut have been traveling seaward at fifteen V-twts. T CABlfo DESERTED , ,1 opened the door and emerged Into the Pln cabin. It wbb 'deserted, except for a . ,ater pr two attired In. white jackets who d covered a long table suspended by Jjchlong from the deck 'beams above, and ere spreading It with snowy linen In 5TParatlon t of tho 6 o.'clock meal. Neer JM I aeen a more coay, homelike' Interior nnlshed In oironMlan walnut, the side u, oetween stateroom doors, aecormm lh'A..I.i ,.i . &.. -!. a vanilla. viisiitHi paintmBB, ny uivioia y v.-- ornamentrai'pyumerous easy entire litered lrtltler. uiieroom;rangea aions timer nm, two. vMUy: aomewhat larger, were Lt IMfJBWWi. collected from strange tribes throughout tho soen sens. Forward, nn open pas sage, guarded only by silently swinging doors, led to the stew aid's pantry, un nrlous storerooms beyond, while beside this opening a broad, .brass-railed stalrwav led easily to the upper deck. .Sunlight touched me edgo of tho companlonway and flickered down ;hrough a half-opened skylight nbove, yielding cheerfulness to the scene, yet In viting to the open nlr. I would meet those with whom I was destined to companion on this voyage across summer seas. I paused In tho shelter of the companion, feeling now moro decidedly tho movement of tho vessel nnd icallzing that we were encountering a strong head wind, with a fairly heavy sea. This but contributed to my enjoyment of the scene, and nt ilrst my whole attention was concentrated on the wide expanso of green water.l white capped and shimmering beneath tho sun's rays. To tho right extended tho beautlfjil Long Island shore, so plainly visible I could perceive alt the houses of a village, while on the other hand tho broad expanse of tho Sound appeared deserted, except for a single distant sail Showing white against the water. Before me, tho spotlessly clean deck of the Esmeralda extended almost to the butt of the foremast, tho emergency boom (.trapped tightly out of tho way and pro tected by tarpaulin, every rope's end care fully colled, three white boats locked In tho davits at either side, their canvas covois buttoned down firmly. The white paint shone In the sunshine and the brasswork glittered dazzlingly, Tho vessel was. in deed, a picture of rare beauty a? sho raced bravely forward, rising buoyantly to the waves, tho wind singing through the taut jigging aloft. My eyes followed tho grace ful sweep of the low, open rail to the very peak of tho forecastle, where a group of sailors. In uniforms of white duck, were gathered beside the windlass. Above them, his hand on the butt of the bowsprit, stood a s Iltary figure, the lookout, as clearly out'." led against the bluo of the sky ns though chiseled from marine. The deck, amidships, was clear, not even bo much as a closed hatch disfiguring the level surface. Beyond was tho bridge, with Its rails of gleaming brass, and below, an open door facing aft, revealed the chart house. I could see enough of Its Interior from where I stood to discern a table and sev eral chairs, with the outlines of a map hanging against the turther wall. Abova arose the wheelhouse, while on the narrow bridge two officers, uniformed In dark-blue, with white caps, moved back and forth, or stood motionless, binoculars to their eyes. MYSTERY EXPLAINED No passengers, however, were visible, yet this mystery was sooon explained as I stepped to ono side and glanced nft. The cabin projection was not, high, yet suffi ciently so to break tho force of the head wind, and besides was far enough ad vanced to give ample deck space nt the stern. Here an awning had been erected, and beneath Its shelter were gathered the vessel's guests. All visible were men and their occupation, as well as their careless ness of dress, assured me instantly thero were no women aboard. The trip, as I nat urally Inferred, was to bo strictly Informal, an outing of good fellows. I recognized but thre In the group Carrlngton, red-faced and white-haired, a cigar gripped In his teeth, giving some Instructions to the stew ard : Fosdick, tall, slim, thln-llpped, a law ver well known to corporations who desired to keep just within legal restrictions sat at a table, his hand fingering a half-n led glass, while he talked to tho men opposite ; and McCnnn. fa't, good-natured, born to his father's millions, who amused himself by the pretense of being a broker. Interrupting tho gnmo of cards In which he was engaged with three others to tell the latest story of tho street. Personally. 1 cared mtle for either of these men. yet had known bothv I- ...., fnr Rnme time. The others, judg ing from outward appearances, had been iccrulted from about tho samo.class busi ness acquaintances of Carrlngton, no doubt : men whose friendship he might need, and who' would naturally appreciate hlscour tesv perchance a copper pool was planned, and this pleasant oppportunlty taken to get them all together. This, was. Indeed, quito possible, and might acccount for my Invi tation as well, for" Carrlngton was aware I had Idle money. The vague suspicion caused me to smllo as t went forward, greeting those whom I knew, and being duly presented to the others. JOLLY GOOD FELLOWS Whatever they might have been In a huslness way. and for that I cared abso mtelv notWng. they proved themselves a most companionable bunch of fellows o meet fiE of them mentioning pleasantly that they had known my father, and one L somewhat younger man named Shaw nimlne to have chunimed with me the vlwore at a banquet In Chicago. ITos dfck clung to me like a long-lost brother, seating me next the rail, our conversation drtf ting toward Ue prospect of war In nrr.f. L number of others soon became mte?ePSUd anT gathered about us in a -,mm Fosdick cynically sneered at tho Bk m?ter arguing that It was merely whole matter, ""' ,hnt -iviiiiatlon newspaper Sensation; that civilization .new.JP-L oitoeether too far to even a newspaper --- :i had advanceu '"'" contended .... nM her great war. I contei SfhTrwise deling assured that human otherwise, "..,, rhanKed within human na- wlse, lec.. -r-"ni.nd Wlthin thl ture had not -y,raf fh' wnr,d turo nf"""' "ear's, and that the world snace of a lew w. was Btllll far from mo cim ul ...... . Coined In tho -4lscuaalon Shaw 5 Bohwab ?he laUeh evidently of German ancestCryrtecom'ngth.r bitter In review- fng tho causea of the troubje, th. menWy of that first meal in the snug .!tm.e ,rL .ineralda remains a most K!!lrif rollectlon..Whateyer animo.ltr r.Thcin engenderec on decK 'seemed to h ilT inaffiitly a we took -our places VIU, Stable table. TW.eabln had fnW ,.Vti i !' .1 -. I.:.!.. m, .) - ;T.Y..t-; 2-. -1 . . , '- -; " ..'-. Vj '..W k "v.. ':,': V ' .. -".. . There,. clearly outlined in the star glimmer, was plainly revealed the figure of a woman. perfection, nnd tho chef quite evidently a genius. Wo lingered over tho wine and cigars, the conversation drifting where. It would. McCann played and sang; several of tho younger men joining him, and when wo finally retired again to tho deck night had settled quietly down over tho waters. CHAPTER II A Woman on Board I BELIEVE I was among tlwWlrst to leave tho table nnd return out"de, and ns my Inclination was to remain alone and enjoy tho calm of tho night, I ventured fortli along tho deserted deck, until I found fancied security from observation In the shadow of a binall boat. .The others, as they emerged later from the companion, outlined a moment against the light, turned once again aft and resumed their old places. I could hear. tho murmur of their voices and tho chink of poker chips, but was con tent myself to lean abovo tho rail and stare out across tho dark waters, It was a btlll, starry night, with hero and thero a flickering distant light visible. The sea had gono down t-omewhat, and the wind was no longer strong. Apparently wc wero considerably further off shore, and tho flashing of n rod nnd white beacon far away to tho right gave me some knowledge of our position off Eaton's Point. By dawn then wo should bo breasting tho long swells of the broad Atlantic. Tho old love of the bea came back as I breathed In gratefully onco more the salt air, and stared out over the black water. The rumbling of tho screw, the trembling of tho deck underfoot, the splash of waves alongside, wer6 old, famil iar music. I was Indeed glad to be thero; to dream of tho long, delightful voyage ahead, and drink In onco moro the fascinat ing mystery of the sea. I know not how long I stood there, smok ing and dreaming of the past ; once I crossed over to port, watching a great Sound.stcamer glide silently past us, every opening a blaze of light, her decks, croW'ded with people;, and o.ico wo barely escaped collision wljh a little fishing smack, flying beforo the wind for some Long Island havon, with not even a lantern strung at her masthead. 1 heard tho sharp cry of tho officer on our fridge, and leaned over to catch a glimpse of frightened faces peer ing upward at me, as tho little craft went tearing past, ns Instantly lost in tho smother astern. The Incident gavo mo a thrill such as I had not experienced In years, and I could understand tho Injured feelings of tho mate, as ho leaned far out over the bridge rail, and cursed Into tho black night Nothing olso occurred, however, to break tho monotony, and finally wearying of It all,' I went below, being In no mind to Join at games with tho others. I met Car rlngton at tho companion, where we ex changed a few words, mlno largely In ex cuse for retiring so early. Even as I rested on my bed, McCann's high-pitched voice reached me through the open port, with an occasional burst of laughter. Never theless I was soon asleep. ' SHIP STOPS " Somo dormant sense of seamanship, aroused to new llfo perhaps by my brief watch on deck, must havo awakened me. For I sat straight up In bed, conscious that the easel's motion had ceased. All was silent; no jar shook tho keel, no footsteps sounded on the deck above. I switched on the electric light, nnd glanced at my watch ; it was slightly after midnight. Through the open port nothing was vlslblo but the dark waters and the far-oft gleam of a light, altering In flashes of white. I did not know enough of this coast line to Identify tho signal, yet It was plainly evi dent wo were some distance froln land. Why the Esmernlda had stopped her engines was )io Bpcclal concern of mlno, and I lay down again. But sleqp would not return. I tossed and turned, and finally' arising In sheer desperation hastily donned my clothes. The after cabin was deserted, dimly lighted by ono shaded electrla globe, beneath which tho brass stalr-rall- shone dully. I emerged on to tho deck, grate fully breathing In the fresh night air. At first I could perceive no signs' of the watch on duty ; not a moving figure was visible, .r.4 t crossed over to, the port rail to obtain a better, view forward. Af.mood m&issmKmmKmmsimiv rx .... " i ar Trrir-j-" -i.i v -v fnFADUMCfi'rii,)itAi..i:7ii 'iviii.". y m- CaL. If ' . j. "I air ' a llir: -".J-T jlfj . f- i . . w V .-aV. 'aWar (UinilTJlhr -ABaiVT.f V 1 W I " " r j i V . " ' .am and when ho finally camo out again. crossed the deck so ns to Intercept him. "Anything going wrong, Mr, Seelcy?'' I asked. "You havo stopped tho engines." He stared at mo through the dark, blinded still perhaps by the "-.io of tho chart room, and unablo to rccognlzo my strange voice. Yet ho was a yatchtsman, trained abovo all to courtesy. "Nothing serious, sir," he announced, civ illy enough, "Tho engines nro new, and not well adjusted yet ; a bit of shaft went wrong, and has to bo repaired." "The captain is on deck?" "Not now, sir. It was at his orders we heaved to, but he has Just gono below. We aro out of tho trade iffies here, and safe enough with a good lookout." "Aio wo liable to bo lying here for some time, then?" "Five or six hours, the engineer said." He turned away, but at that Instant my eyes caught tho flabhlng of a beacon away off to the southeast. "What light is that out yonder, Mr. Seeley? We must bo well beyond Eaton?" He glanced In tho direction indicated, "Those white flashes? That is Oldfleld Point, sir. Aro you acquainted with these waters?" THE WOMAN APPEARS "Not intimately, although 1 retain some memory of the'eharts. I saw merchants' service on the old Atlas Line." "A fine lino that," ho acknowledged heartily, "I mado my first voyage, as cabin-boy, on the Mohawk, You are Mr. Hollls, I presume, sir, I overheard Mr. Carrlngton tell Captain Turner you were to be one of the party aboard. Well, good night, sir, I must make certain the, watch Is awake." He touched his cap courteously and dis appeared beneath tho shadow of the bridge, leaving me again alone, undecided whether to return below or endeavor to walk off my sleeplessness. I scarcely know what Idle curiosity led me to stroll along the nar row deck space around the cabin to the lounging place at the stern. The rubber deck matting muffled my steps, while the light of the stars along the water surface re flected sufficient light to give mo fair view beneath thi, awning, which had not been rolled up when the guests retired. I stopped suddenly In surprise, staring across at the opposite rail, questioning the evidence of my own eyes. There, clearly outlined In the star-glimmer, was plainly revealed the figure of a woman. Some In stinct of fear, or, perchance, a slight sound of approach, must have apprised her of my near presence, for she turned Instantly toward me, bending slightly forward, her face visible in the shadow; and then, be fore I could eflher move or speak, she fled along the port rail, vanishing Imme diately behind the protection of the cabin. I felt sure that her parted lips had uttered a 'quick exclamation, and her startled effort at escape was sufficient to urge me to pur sue. Who could. she be? Why was sho here on board the Esmeralda? above all, why should she be so eager to escape ob servation? I ran forward across the deck, and quickly explored tho passage between the cabin and rail. It was clearly visible In the bright starlight, but the swiftly fleeing figure had totally vanished. I reached the steps of the companion, and gazed down through the glass doors. The light below revealed nothing, the cabin remained quiet, and deserted. Not a shadow rewarded my search, either on the open deck, or below. Yet surely this was no dream, no hallucina tion, np.mere vision of the night. The woman had actually been there t had wen her plainly enough : had, vn heardthe c of her voice. .There wMtkM'fai. yet I. felt a, longer the ,veetlee4! a I J-UfK r ; iA.vss.siijS V 4 stm$M$$th ' I s y Jmm ) If (, y 2 A&&&& J 1 uSCP 1 pyM xp serted and who lied In flight from discov ery. I even felt a vague impression of her personality she was young, slender of form, dressed in some shimmering gray stuff, a light, fluffy scarf concealing her hair. The picture of her grew more clearly deflnod as I stood there alone, staring about into tho deserted darkness. Strange no one had ever mentioned the presence of any woman aboard. McCann surely t did not know, or he would never have told some of his stories: Fosdick was certainly un aware of the fact, for he had expressed to me his relief at a vacation with only men as companions. 'We had all accepted our Invitations with that understanding, not ex pressed exactly, but plainly Implied. Car rlngton would surely know; it was his yacht. Very well, I would ask him In the morning about the young vtoman. Tnere waa nothing more to do then, how ever, although I prowled about for som time, peering Into, dark corners and turn ing the matter over and over In my mind. Some way the presence of the girl fasci nated me ; I could not altogether cast aside the memory J. possessed of her fleeting fig ure. She seemed more spectral than reaL nor did I awaken until the steward an nounced tho last breakfast call by a" vigor ous rapping on my door. Tho Esmeralda still swung motionless, nnd I could hear a faint tapping of ham mers far below deck, where work was pro gressing on tho recalcitrant machinery, Car rlngton was seated alone at the table when I entered the cabin, lingering over his coffee, and ho remained to keep me company, seem ingly in a genial mood In splto of tho delay. "Don't hurry, Hollls," he said, as tho waiter brought mo grapefruit as a first course. "We have all tho time In the world. I suppose you havo observed wo are lying nt nnchorT" "Yes." I answered, not quite ready at that moment to spring tho Important ques tion. "The stopping of tho engine awoke mo last night and 1 went on deck to learn tho cause. Once a. sailor, always a Ballon, you know. That was soon after midnight and Mr. Seelcy said everything would ba fixed right in a few hours." "Thero was more damngo done than Gault supposed. I had my doubts of thoso en gines. However, wo shnlt be off now In nnother hour I wns below myself before coming to breakfast.' "No Job then jour force cannot handle?" "Oh, no; Gault Is u perfectly capable fellow ; one of the crank shafts was wrong ly adjusted ; they nro putlng It back Into plate now." He lit a cigar and leaned comfortably back In his chair, looking amiably across at me through the bluo haze of smoke. "Rather nice bunch of fellows for a cruise, don't jou think?" "Quite so, although I only knew two previously." "Yes Fosdick nnd McCann. Tho others are cither bankers or brokers ; fellows I meet every day or so In my business, ou know. We cut each other's throats on the street, but sometimes It Is worth our while to get togother. You have never dono much In stocks?" I shook my head. "My business education was In an entirely different school," 1 said quietly, ignoring his lead. "My father never speculated." "I know his feelings on that subject," and Carrlngton hurkled, as though at a pleasant memory. "Your father was a flno man, Robert, a gentleman of the old school, but a bit puritanical In his notions. I never advocate speculation myself, but have never shown any qualms of conscience against betting on a sure thing. Perhaps wo can discuss this later before our voyage ends." "This then Is more of a business than a pleasure trip, sir?" He laughed, watching the smoke rings rise lazily In the air. "Well, hardly that, my boy. My hos pitality is not to be so strictly limited. How ever, no doubt, we shall discuss some mat ters of business in.portnnce before our re turn. We aro all more or less Interested In the state of the market. By the way, you have somo Idle money, I hear?" "Not a largo sum nt present, although It Is true I control somo capital," Carrlngton pushed back his chair and arose to his feet. . "That Is of no immediate Importance," he said carelessly. "But In my judgment we are not far away from a great oppor tunity In finance, when it will pay well to be on the inside. It may Interest you to know that a copper pool is being organized." "I suspected as much; you havo some news?" "Exceedingly Important news. Listen, Hollls, this Is strictly confidential and worth your thinking It over. Only two men on board know the truth. Therq will be war In Europe the biggest war"ever known In history within a month. I base my pre diction on dlspatch'es" from, confidential agents In Berlin. Paris, St. Petersburg and Vienna. They are In positions to know. Do you realize what that will mean for in stance to copper?" t - "I can Imagine, sir. But if we are on the verge cf such a sudden rise In the mar ket value, why do you leave New York for a long voyage?" . Carrlngton smiled, stroking his gray mustache, . "A natural question, perhaps, coming from one not acquainted with my methods," he answered good humoredly. "Because I prefer to be thought out of It Everybody on the Street is aware.that I. am, at sea. I thus escape being Interviewed, importuned for Information. . I,amunsuSpected'of being vf here I can manipulate the market. I have with me, also, others, whose absence from New York will greatly" tehd to quiet suspicion." "Yes, but that is -certainly a handicap." "Not In the least; the Esmeralda Is equipped with a-powerful -wireless outfit, and we have on board the moat expert operator to be procuredln-New. York.. I shall be in direct communication with my office every hour ofthe dayand nlghti Moreover, I have with me men, "who pbsaeM and who control millions, -and who are Bmartahrewd speculittow'Tomorrow once safely beyond Point Judith. I ttU,xpkala to them myt pb j-immiii tww, U nr"J t IDT j . fs. r- -.- i clal scheme. The girl on board slble that she could have any with this affair? At least I would Carrlngton knew or suspected her on board. . ,f. "By tho way." I spoke with an si lion of carelessnesa. "Mrs. Carrlruri understand, Is at present In Europe?" "Yes, in Switzerland; I have cable that she had better return as far a nt nnpA "You seem very confident as to the of your advices." JT ., . - , .. . . ?'r. i am; i Know mo men wno nave; ported to me." , "I see; and, consequently, there art; women on board?" V "Women?" ho mado a swift, expi gesture. "Certainly not. I wrote' yott, mat eiicct, i tieueve; at least I so inati cd my secretary. This voyage Is prJmi a. business affair. Why should you ask tl question, Hollls. You have met all' guests." tc. I hesitated, yet determined to put fully to the test. If he knew, either his fi or manner would betray him, lrrcspeetl of his words. ' f "I Imagined I saw a woman on t dftels last night, when I ventured out to leara why tho engine had stopped. No doubt wus an illusion. y it surely must have been," his vi evidencing surprise, "for I give you ft word there is not .a woman on this yai I was on board twenty-four hours before sailed, and kept my eyes open. WhaM jourminu, am tne creature look like?" jt : "Nothing at all definite, a mere outline the g.eam of the stars. The vision of vanished beforo I could approach cl enough to assure myself even of her real I searched the deck later, but found trace. It may havo been an odd comb! tlon of shadow, but at tho time I felt con vlnced the vision was actually flesh blood." Carrlngton laughed heartily. ' ,Li . I "Dismiss It, my boy," he said, his tuMM gripping the brass rail. "We may lnd have ghost women on board, but no fli and blood ones. Better join us on d and let tho sun and wind c'.ear your bi perhaps tho champagno caused the m' chief?" sg "Hardly." I answered, adopting his mi "as I did not touch any. However, I Join you presently." g, I watched him dlsaDnear through the com panlon, stirring my coffee nonchalantly enough. Yet I was not satisfied; Carrlr-. ton did not know, possessed no suspicion; nevertheless I remained convinced there WM n woman on board the Esmeralda. aV CHAPTER III I Afoot -tho Miiatovti -42 THE repair job required longer than one anticipated, as the captain finally obliged to send a launch ashore t have some welding done, and It was quit late In the afternoon before the boat if turned. McCann accomnanted the sho party, but the others of us remained) board, amusing ourselves as best we mil throuah a rather hot and tiresome day. Cl rlngton received several messages by wl less, but exhibited no disposition to rev their contents to his guests, and the sho boat brought back to us the New Yea inornlnc- nancr.s. Although nothing deflnl In the way of war news had accrued prerfJ ous to their going to press, tne editorial! nfrnrrlprl lis nmnln material for discussion L . . ... j. iw'g" iierore mo evening meai naa ennea u narty still lingering In tho cozV quart below over their coffee nnd cigars rtl yacht once ngaln got under way. n steamed slowly eastward down the Soun Evidently the officers were trying out- m newly repaired machinery with some caj tlon. anxious to learn Its exact condI(MI before venturing out to sea. It was alreadj dusk when we returned to tne ueoK an resumed card playing beneath the awnin electric lights sparkling overhead. ij A GAME OF CARDS &! I took a hand for nn hour or more at tablo devoted to whist, having FosdlcK a nartner. but finnlly, wearying of the gai found a comfortable steamer chair m the rail and let my thoughts drift l The engines moved steadily and we w making better progress, as I could ei perceive from tho twinkling lights along shore. The sky was slightly overcast, ji wind from the south and light. I never. call a softer, sweeter air. The men me were agaln.dlscusslng the war news,' their voices scarcely reached to my ei Once I learned forward, observing tne' and srreen lights of an approaching Bti ship as our siren spoke, but was altogetl too negligent to cross me aecK una the stranger pass by. ? The fact was, I could not banish enj fmm mind tho recollection of that w whom I had seen In this very spot thenl hfnri I had actually seenhei" Its no vision, no dream. The reality onlyi'. came more apparent as I reviewed all circumstances. Carrtngtons contempt' disbelief had left not the slightest tmi slon on my mind. No doubt he had fi in what he said, and possessed no suspli whatever of her presence on the yacht. she was here nevertheless why, how,; what purpose, by vvnose Deip i. couia conjecture but that she actually ex: and was hidden somewhere aboard H not the slightest doubt, and I must -i the mystery aione. jno one eise nau her. no one else would believe my , resides. I could not recall a Blngle.'J vldual In the company to whom I car1 reneat my suspicion. They would as a Joke laugh me out "of countenanwij Carrlngton had attempted to ao. lei fi unconvinced; satisfied in my own mini I had not been mistaken. ( ' But how could I prove the vision'' How' establish, at least to my ownil faction, her Identity and purpose? I then It all over again ana again, n warrir was unaware of her presence and of,t I really no longer felt any doubt then i ... i.n.r- altntiAfl lVniiril linn0ti '! chance, aided and abetted by one of crew. Somewhere belqw, where ,dli was not probable except throug. she was kept in hiding. There m vacant staterooma forward petty nuarters In which she might ren cealed. Yet to accomplish this ah need assistance. She must have' I In getting aboard unseen: 'someis knew of a vacant caDin ana supply her wlthfood, Only an ollli hope 10 ao mis wiinuui. ruueuia ExceDt for the engineer, uauit, wh not seen, but who waa hardly In a j to render sucn service, mere who mla-ht be accomplice Ht Turner, and the first and'aeoenli Hatch and Seeley." I,dimUMj4 at)! of the nrsi two .airawn, hwuiuj. waa an old aeaWlo,'.forr m unapproachable ana- ;$ disciplinarian, while HatoVwM I low-apexen iRaivicuaii'-nvrw sllfhteet oivimy io;ay oi these wouH.ever aMMdr under any. ommmvmw i V. 'r- : , .J W ' . ,- JCONTH M Jtaf-ju ja me-h WQ.1
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers