_2 "CDNTD IA Romance of ih 6y RANDALL P/ SYNOPSIS. CHAPTER I?Robert Hollls. one-time ea captain, who tells the story. Is a ffuest on Gerald Carrlnnton's yacht. Esmeralda. It Is supposed to be a "star1' party and Hollis Is surprised on discover ing a woman, wno evidently wishes to remain unknown, aboard. CHAPTER I. i A Yacht Party. ' Bo many Items bearing upon those Strange adventures which have lately befallen me have found publication In the newspapers, oftentimes distorted and untrue, and resulting In letters of Inquiry from friends, Induce ine now to write out the tale while the Incidents remain fresh in memory. Indeed, I owe the truth not only to myself but even more to her who so bravely shared with me those days and Sights of peril. The earlier passion of my life was the sea, and, when others of my age were grinding away through their courses in college, I was apprenticed to the merchant service In a fleet owned by my father, trading between .New York and northern European ports. Loving the work, and, possibly, assisted by the fact that I was my father's sons, I rose rapidly, until licensed as captain of steam, and assigned to command the Vulcan, a freighter of .'1,000 tons. At thirty, however. the novelty and fascination of a sea life ceased its attraction, and when my father died sufficient property became my share from the estate to enable my resigning this command, and retiring permanently from the service. Circumstances, unnecessary now to relate, caused me to make permanent home In Chicago, where I soon became engrossed in business, finding my sole recreation in yachting upon the Great Lakes. Such were he rather commonplace surroundings #of my life, when, at thirty-seven, adventure suddenly called me out into the unknown. Nothing could have been more unexpected than the occasion which took me to New York. Carrlngton?Gerald Carrington, the Copper King?had Just placed his new steam yacht, the Esmeralda, in commission, and was eager 4A el nlnn 4 4- Lit <> ?? iea easily to the upper deck. Sunlight touched the edge of the companlonway, and flickered down through a halfopened skylight above, yielding cheerfulness to the scene, yet Inviting to the open air. I would meet those with whom I was destined to companion on this voyage across summer seas. I iu V.UHOICI1 il itjf U I'll 11 Ut'I UBS IU U1W ports of Spain. ITe wrote urging me to become one of the party. The temptation was irresistible, for, as I knew Mrs. Carrington was in Europe, the guests on board would undoubtedly all be men, -and probably congenial fellows. A bachelor myself, the long hours at sea had left me unaccustomed to the society of women, whose presence I avoided whenever possible. Hence, I accepted Carrington's invitation immediately by wire, hastily packed the few things necessary for the trip, and, unaccompanied even by a valet, caught the Twentieth Century for New York. Carrington lived on Long Island, and I talked with him on the phone. There were to be twelve In the party, the names of two, who were former acquaintances, alone being mentioned in our brief conversation. The yacht was lying at Toinpkinsvllle, provisioned, and ready for the sea. I must be on board by three o'clock the following day, and he gave me quite explicit instructions as to the best mode of reaching the vessel. An accident to the ferry caused tno to miss the local train which I had anticipated taking the next morning, and I was consequently the last of our yachting party to arrive at Tompkinsville. The others were already safely aboard when I hurried across the gangplank, to receive the cordial welcome of Carrington, who immediately or dered the vessel under way. The guests must have heen gathered on the upper deck, enjoying the excitement of departure, for I caught no glimpse of anyone on board, excepting some members of the crew, as the steward led me to the cabin assigned to my use during the voyage. Even the brief view I had obtained of the boat Impressed me strongly, both with Its beauty and seagoing qualities. I was sailor enough to appreciate all this at a glance. The Ksmeraldn was a steam yacht, schooner rigged aloft, of over fifteen hundred tons, constructed for deep-water cruising, well manned, and able to combat the storms of any ocean. I opened the door and emerged Intti the main cabin. It was deserted, except for a waiter or two attired In white Jackets who had covered a long table suspended by stanchions from the deck beams above, and were spreading It with snowy linen In preparation for the six o'clock rneal. Never had 1 seen a more coxy, homelike Interior. Forward, an open passage, guarded only by silently swinging doors, led to the steward's pantry, and various storerooms beyond, while beside this opening a broad, brass-railed stairway AMND e J^ortk Atlantic VPPI5A .10 aflhe FOREST" ETC. aseatafiassMti No passengers wprp visible on 1 deck, yet this mystery was soon plained as I stepped to one side 8 glanced aft. The cabin projection v not high, yet sufficiently so to br? the force of the headwind, and besh was far enough advanced to give am deck space at the stern. Here awning had been erected, and benei Its shelter were gathered the vess< guests. I recognized but three in I group ? Carrlngton, red-fnced ? white-haired, a cigar gripped in 1 teeth, giving some instructions to t steward; Fosdiek, tall, slim, thl lipped, n lawyer well knowu to c< porations who desired to keep Ji within legal restrictions, sat at a tab his hand lingering a half-filled gin while he talked to the men opposit and McCm n, fat, good-natured, bo to his father's millions, who nmus himself by the pretense of being broker, interrupting the game of car in which he was engaged with thr others, to tell the latest story of t street. Personally I cared little t either of these men, yet had knee both, in a way, for some time. T others, judging from tfce outward i pea ranees, had been recruited fn about the same class?business i quaintances of Carrlngton no doubt, went forward, greeting those whon knew, and being duly presented to t others. Whatever they might have been a business way, and for that I car absolutely nothing, they proved the selves a most companionable hunch fellows to meet. The memory of that tirst meal in t snug after cabin of the Esmeralda mains a most pleasant recollecth The cabin had been darkened, nnd t soft light of a swinging lamp gleam hack from snowy damask and glitt ing silver. The center was banked w f "Anything Going Wrong?" I Aake momentary gleam I recognized the f of the aecond officer, and when he fli ly came out again. I crossed the d movers, tne service was perfects and the chef was evidently a geni We lingered over the wine and elga the conversation drifting where would. I believe I was among the first leave the table and return outside, a as my inclination was to remain al< and enjoy the calm of the night, I v tured forward along the deserted de until I found fancied security from servation in the shadow of a sm boat. The others, as they emerj later from the companion, outlined 'moment against the light, turned 01 again aft, and resumed their old plat Nothing occurred to break the i notony, and finally, wearying of it al went below, being in no mind to j at games with the others. I was s? asleep. Some dormant sense of seamansl aroused to new life, perhaps, by brief watch on deck, must have aw ened me. For I sat up in bed, c seious that the vessel's motion 1 censed. All was silent; no Jar sht the keel, no footsteps sounded on deck above. I switched on the elect light, and glancMfi at my watch ; it \ slightly after midnight. Through open port nothing was visible but dark waters, and the far-off gleam u light, alternating in flashes of wh I did not knoV enough of this co li?? l.b.n?lfn ..I * ?* - nur id 111111111/ nit; m^iiui, ji'i 11 i plainly evident we were some dista from land. Why the Esmeralda had stopped engines was no special concern of ml and I lay down attain. Hut sleep wo not return. I tossed and turned, i finally arising In sheer desperatl hastily donned my clothes. The nl cabin was deserted, dimly lighted one shaded electric globe, bene which the brass stulr rails shone du I emerged on the deck, gratefi breathing in the fresh night air. A stood there, a man descended the 1 der from the bridge, entered the chi house and switched on a light. In THE LANCASTER NEW8T I - ^ so ns to Intercept him. ' ' "Anything going wrong, Mr. Seeley?" I I asked. "You have stopped the engines." tie stared at me through the dark blinded still perhaps by the glare ol ! the ohartroom, and unable to recog * uize my strange voice. Yet he was ? * yachtsman, falned above all to cour 3tesy. "Nothing serious, sir," he announced civilly enough. "The engines are new, and not well adjusted yet; a bit ol .--j shaft went wrong, und has to be reI paired." He turned away, but at that Instant the mj e>'*'s caught the Hashing of a beuex_ con away off to the southeast. intj "What light Is that out yonder, Mr. l-?? Seeley? We must be well beyond Ea ak He glanced In the direction lndlple catedan "Those white flashes? That Is Oldlth field point, sir. Are you acaualnted with these waters?" tho "Not intiniutely, although I retain mj some memory of the charts. I saw merchants' service on the old Atlas line." "A fine line that." he acknowledged u* heartily. "I made my first voyage, as >r* cabin boy, on the Mohawk. You art of ' Mr. Mollis. I presume, sir. 1 overheard e* Mr. Carrington tell Captain Turner you IS!| were to be one of the party aboard <>* Well, good night, sir; I must make r,J certain the watch Is awake." ,M He touched his cap courteously, and 1 disappeared beneath the shadow of the ( s bridge, leaving me again alone, unde elded whether to return below, or en ' e deavor to walk off my sleeplessness ' | I scarcely know what idle curiosity led 'J11 me to stroll along the narrow deck u* space, around the cabin to the loung ing place at the stern. I stopped sud ,in denly in surprise, staring across nt tht opposite rail, questioning the evldenet of my own eyes. There, clearly out 1 lined In the star glimmer, was plainlj revealed the figure of a woman. Sotrn Instinct of fear, or. perchance, a slide sound of approach, must have apprised ,M her of toy near presence, for she tumec U1* Instantly toward nie, bending slight 1\ ? forward, her face visible In the shad ow; and then, before I could elthei j move or speak, she fled along the port re" rail, vanishing Immediately behind tlu >n* protection of the cabin. I felt sun that her parted Hps had uttered ? " quick exclamation, and b"''* startled ef swiftly fleeing ttgure hud totally van en-! r ~ wci i m ,teast J?/ ^ <52r Z her inc.! He Lit a Cigar and Leaned Comforl uldl ably Back In His Chair. ? I shod. I reached the steps of the conn , r panion, and gazed down through th . glass doors. The light below revenlet nothing, the cabin remained quiet am .. deserted. Not a shadow rewarded ra iUv either on the open deck, or be . low. Yet surely this was no dream 8 1 no hallucination, no mere vision of th night. The woman had actually heel the *bere 1 bad seen her plainly enough i had even heanl the echo of her voice ?j' There was then u woman on boarda woman who sought to hide from ob nervation; who ventured on deck onl, ^ when Hhe thought It entirely deserted and who fled In fright from dlscoverj I even felt a vague Impression of he S? personality?she was young, slender o form, dressed In some shlmmerlni gray stuff, a light, fluffy scarf conceal ? I ing her huir. There was nothing more to do then i. although I prowled about for sora J time peering Into dark corners, an< turning the matter over and over li my mind. It must have been nearl: daybreak before I fell asleep again li my own stateroom, nor did I awakei until the steward announced the las breakfast call, by a vigorous rapplni on my door. Carrlngton was seated alone at th' fnhle nh?n T ing over his coffee, and he remained ti keep me company, seemingly In a gen lal mood In spite of the delay. He lit a cigar, and leaned comfort ably back In his chair, looking amlabl; across at me through the bluo haze o ^ smoke. "Rather nice bunch of fellows for i A, cruise, don't you think?" "Quite so, although I only knew tw ace previously." ml- "Yes?Fosdlck and MeCann. Th eck XTESDAY, OCT. 16, 1917. others are either bankers or brok ' fellows I meet every clay or so In 1 business, you know. You have n done much in stocks?" I shook my head. "My business education was In entirely different school," I said 1 etly, ignoring his lead. "My fa never speculated." "I know his feelings on that subjc and Carrlngton chuckled, as thoug ; a pleusant memory. "1 never advo speculation myself, but have n shown any qualms of conseli against betting on a sure thing. ST7 j! AND YOl ! raid 1 I r/iiiv ' ? i il I ji Football Games Teams at F t I Wednesday a t o 0 _ 1 Carolina-C Thursday. i* ; Military Minstre | Each Night. I -.jV . . haps we can discuss this later?he our voyage ends." "This, then. Is more of a bust thau a pleusure trip, sir?" He laughed, watching the sn rings Use lastly In the air. "Well, hardly that, my boy. My pltullty is not to he so strictly lim However, no doubt, we shall dis some matters of business import) before our return. By the way, | have some Idle money, I hear?" "Not a large sum at present, 1 though it is true I control some c tal." Carrtngton pushed back his c and arose to his feet. "That Is of no Immediate 1m tance," he said carelessly. "But in 1 i Judgment, we are not far away fro ' great opportunity in finance, who ' will pay well to be on the Inside, may Interest you to know that a j per pool is being organized." ' I "I suspected as much ; you have s news?" ' i "Exceedingly Important news. J ten, Hollis, this Is strictly confldei 1 and worth your thinking it over. < j two men on board know the tr " There will be war in Europe?the eest war ever known in hl??o you realize what i will mean, for instance, to copper? "I con Imagine, sir. But if wo ' on the verge of such a sudden ris ' market value, why do you leave J ' York for a long voyage?" Carrlngton smiled, stroking his j : mustache. "A natural question, perhaps con " I from one not acquainted with j methods," he answered good-humo ' ly. "Because 1 prefer to he thot "Unit of it. Everybody on the st Is aware that 1 am at sea. I 1 1 escape being Interviewed, importt for information. I am unsuspected 1 f , being where I can manipulate the i ' i ket. The Esmeralda Is equipped ' a powerful wireless outtlt, and we 1 ' | on board the most expert oper j.to be procured In New York. I s j be in direct communication with office every hour of the day and nl i Tomorrow, once safely beyond P j Judith, I shall explain my plan; m j while, Mollis, think It over." IlJe turned toward the stulrsTM) | stopped him, more deeply Intereste somethint: else ihaui In Ids rather va What is LAX-FC LAX-FOS IS AN IMPROVED CASCARA A Digestive Liquid Laxative, Cathi and Liver Tonic. Contains Cascara B Blue Flag Root, Rhubarb Root, B Root, May Apple Root, Senna Leaves Pepsin. Combines strength with p table aromatic taste. Does not gripe. - Catarrh c i an Mrs. Mary Fennell, R. P. D. , 1 qui- mona, Missouri, writes: ther "I wish to say a few words In t praise of Peruna. I have used with good results for cramps in t . ' stomach Also found It the v? x nt thing for catarrh of the head. ] sister was cured of catarrh of sto ever ach by the use of Peruna.'' rnce Mrs. E. T. Chomer, 69 East 42 Per- St., Chicago, 111., says: "Manal fore best laxative on the market for li\ and bowels, very good for indigesti nesB and heart burn. Those who object to liquid me cines can secure Peruna tablets. lOllt nos" financial scheme. The girl on nonr Ited. wns It possible she could have any c< cuss pectlon with this nfTnlr? nice ?Hy the way," I spoke with an i >'ou sumption of carelessness, "Mrs. Ci rtngton, I understand. Is at present ?' Europe?" apl- "Yes, In Switzerland; I have cnbl her that she had better return as I hair as London at once." "You seem very confident as to t por- truth of your advices." mj "I ntn; I know the men who he in a reported to me." 11 " "I see; and consequently there i '' no women on hoard?" cop- "Women?" He made a swift, expr slve gesture. "Certainly not. I wri oine yon to that effect, I believe; at lei I so instructed my secretary. T ,Is" voyage Is primarily a business nfT? it la! why should you ask that questli >n'-v Hollls? You have met all my guest u1'K I hesitated, yet determined to i htm fully to the test. If he knew, thin tli??r his face or manner would betr that him. irrespective of his words. "I Imagined I saw a woman on I are | jock |ast night, when I ventured < '' I to learn why the engine had stopp v ; No doubt it was an Illusion." "It surely must have been," his vo J ray evidencing surprise, "for 1 give you i j word there Is not a woman on t nlt'K , yacht. What, to your mind, did l my creature look like?" red- j "Nothing nt nil t?*. 11 more o lino In tlio kIi'iiiu of tli?? stnrs. It n: have boon an odd combination thus shadow, but. nt the time, I f??lt c mod vinood tho vision was actually lb and blood." nar- Carrlngton laughed heartily, nitli "Dismiss it, my boy," ho said, mve juuhj gripping tho brass rail. ator may indeed have ghost women l*ln" board, but 110 Ileal) and blood on In-V Better Join us 011 dock, and lot the > 1 and wind clear your brain?perht ?'nt the chainpapno caused tho ralschle can- | "Hardly," I answered, adopting mood, "as I did not touch any. U( ut * ever, I will Join you presently." d in j watched him disappear throuph 1 companion, stirring my coffee none lnntly enough. Yet I was not satlsfh t Carrlnpton did not know, possessed r I suspicion ; nevertheless I remalt ! convinced there watt a woman artic board the Esmeralda. ark, lack (To Be Continued.) and lala50c MibsrrilM'd to The Lancaster No1 =VISIT TH kTF I It BOV AT CAB WEEK PC by Soldier air Grounds ^eat nd Saturday. r , rree a m CI assic This I on Grounds Sper,d' tura stoc P >f Stomach s?* Made Well jjj5B hu By Peruna.^BRHHI 5* My SUter *# fHjl Alio Cured i^flW ^ rer Ky W- "%aBB| on PE-RU-NA I %?^? t?*?? i k! vLvimt wnn 11, ,viun )D- SLKVV POLICE OFFICER I l,s* Six Others Woundtxl in <>un Rattle. ,,r" With Desperado at Ran. ,n , vllle, Vn. led Danville, Va., Oct. 15.?Police^l,r man W. H. McGray, and Walter Clark, a negro, arei dead, and six others 'wounded as the result of a gun battle here Friday, in which Clark barricaded himself in his ire house and held a crowd of nearly 3.00ft at bay for two hours. The nees gro was killed by a volley as he tried ?te to escape after the house had been fired. Iiis McGray was killed when he atdr. 1 ' . . |)n tempted to arrest the negro, who hnd ' s? wounded his wife, Nannie Clark. nit then shot and probably fatally el- wounded Deputy City Sergt. Bois uy seau, who sought to recover the po! liceman's body. the nit ' orows'1 When the dynamite failed the I house was set alire and Clark broke ' from the front door. More than t||g ... fifty bullets pierced his body and the t\ e infuriated crowd dragged the corpse ,>a through the streets for a block be!un fore the ofllcers got possession of it. ips . Cf f?" the ^ ha- j For sale by Lancaster Mercantile j Co., Lancaster, S. C.; Lancaster Drug ? Co., Lancaster, S. C., and all good as. dealers. 1