Adventure Magazine Cover — page 30: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- Sea te > « Somioas, eS (Miss Kelvett, I Wonder whether you un- derstand how much I owe your” “W-what?” stammered Vi, startled. “T—er—said that I wondered whether you realize how much I owe you,” he re- peated a little uncertainly. “ ‘Owe you’—me? What— Im afraid I don’t understand. What can you owe me? Rather I owe you for—defending me or——”’ 2 “Oh, no, no, please. That never en- tered my head,” he hastened to say with a note of distress in his voice. “I merely meant— Oh, don’t you understand what gave me the impulse to—give up the drink?” “Why, You told me—” began Vi. “Ves, yes; but a fellow doesn’t, you know. Unless—there’s something—some- body who—well, makes life worth while.” “Oh!” gasped Vi. “I never dreamed——” “Of course not. You wouldn’t. But I just wanted to tell you that—that— Well, I know I’m only a second mate, but some- times one can do far more when 2 “Oh, Heavens!”’ stuttered Vi. “Please don’t! I mean I can’t— That is— Oh, what have I done!” He made a sound like an animal that is hurt. “Oh, please, Mr. Carnell, don’t!” “All right, I won’t,” he replied. “TI can’t expect— Perhaps I ama little sentimental. But—” He stopped and turned his head away slightly. “I must tell you one thing, and I’ll never refer to it again. I just want you to know that—I love you.” “Oh, why, why!” exclaimed Vi, taken with an impulse to scream with laughter. “We might have been such good pals, angq———"’ “I’m sorry,” he said humbly. “I apolo- gize. I won’t offend again.” “Oh, please don’t!” said Vi. “I mean— Oh, I don’t know what Imean. I think I’d better go to bed.” “As you will,” said he quietly. night.” “Good “Oh, yes; good night!” exclaimed Vi, and — rushed for the ladder. As she reached the deck, trying hard to suppress the impulse to laugh, a glow of a cigar confronted her and Selwyn’s voice said: “Miss Kelvett, I have been a cad and I really want to apologize sincerely, [——” “Oh, go to the devil,” squealed Vi in agony, auf ran across Hib deck for the a panion stairway muttering: “Oh, men! What on earth did I ever come on the beastly boat for? One wants ——” The end of the sentence was amputated by a motion that sent her into a dive be- yond the door of the companionway, sprawl- ing across her own chair. As she scrambled to her feet, wondering what had happened, the ship seemed to shiver and lurch to port. Instantly the mate’s whistle screamed shrilly. She heard running feet and the voice of her uncle shouting— “Vil Vil Where are your” She was conscious that the deck was slop- ing strangely. Queer noises were issuing from the depths of the ship and the engines appeared to have gone mad. She ran toward the bridge ladder, shouting to her © uncle reassuringly: “All right, uncle. I’m all right.” ““Keep near me,”’ he commanded from the bridge. The Second dashed past her and disap- peared. The patter of rushing feet sounded in the darkness. A bellow of steam began, | nearly drowning the shouting of orders. Cool and quiet, she remained on the bridge suppressing a desire to ask her uncle what the matter was. A white form appeared beside her. “For God’s sake, what’s the matter?” yelled Selwyn above the noise. ‘‘A mine?” “Yes, I think so,”’ shouted Vi calmly. ST the white-smudged sea she could make out that the forecastle of the ship was at a sharp angle and much nearer the water. : “Tt’s blown the bows off her,” she thought, ‘‘and she’s sinking fast.” Figures of men seemed running aimlessly beneath her. She saw one boat hanging out in the davits. The Second rushed up the ladder, yelled something at the captain and leaped down again. Captain Kelvett took her by the arm and shouted in her ear: . “She’s going, Vi. Don’t get excited. - You haven't got time to get anything. AGAINST. the: violet: darkiiessant Follow me.’ “Oh, right, | uncle,” returned Vi calmly. “T’m coming.” On the deck beneath, which was tilted — heavily, she followed her uncle to the port. “ : . <4 _ > . - . a -~s }- et Ss 2 ad > . a ‘ - . ~ hd - Z 4 ~ * 7 — ~ a ~ ‘ ; 2 - - _ ta a —- be et . ‘e S ry = Ps a < sz > et Rt a ‘> Seca oe at oe a oe * = yf : ot —, I a y 7. <A f- pe ie ~~ ae # ~» ae <2 «4 ny, G f - <= - ~ = - . _ | | | ¢ a @ age oe EEL aS aa a A 2 oe OE Ne Ee EI, SS A ee Am oer Ie OME DOOKS:: (oy See = oe & 2 <a Sa ie A i ee a le eee? Ragin CR eg AE Cine I Te a 5 oy Tigh Se ae z = “< ; etn ee tee er i eee Ls er ee ee AY ase aT ee Fa te ee gee a Sn te gee : ; ; < fs a 5 mex aa poe = hand Smo On Tne a ;