The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-08-25 00:00:00

SATV.RDAN, AUG. 25, 18S3

[ALL RIGHTS RZSIRTZI).]
EVE AT THE WHEEL

G. MANVILLE FENN.
4uthor of 44 Ship Ahoy," "Dutch, the Diver," "The
Fousdry Belle," 41,., #O.

CHAPTER XL
BOMB ONB AT WORE.

A. WEEK passed away, during which all fears of the
vessel getting afloat or breaking up were at an end,
for she had settled now almost upon an even keel,
right in the sand; and already it was evident that
the water around them was less deep, pointing to
the fact that, as time went on, the tide would gra-
dually heap the sand around the vessel, till they
could communicate with the shore afoot. _ _

This decided Deborah—who had assumed and
took the lead in all discussions—in making the ship
their home; and the idea which Helston had pro-
posed of emptying the hold of all the stores, the '
cabins of their furniture, and then blowing up the
'vessel, so that its pieces might float ashore and be
Used for building, was definitely put aside. For,
With a house already to their hands—one which a
little daily pumping kept quite dry, and which, in
the course of time, would be on land—such a
proceeding would have been absurd.
At first, the enmity displayed by Deborah to
Efelston was virulent in its character; but as, after
a few conversations with Laurent, the former ceased
to oppose her, things went on pretty smoothly.
Laurent was rapidly getting well, and as the
Young men had conversed upon the subject, they
carne to the conclusion that it was haraly worth
while to k pup a scene of bickering, when a little
Yielding would, without hurting them, make matters
pleasant for all.
"As far as I see," said Laurent, "all we have to
do is to let the silly woman have her own way, so
long as she does not interfere with us."
" Let her enjoy the rights of women so long as
they do not interfere with the rights of men, eh ?"
eaid. Helston. "What do you say, Miss Monroe ?"
"I think," said she, "that our aim should be to
do that which is for the benefit of all."
She lowered her eyes, blushing at the doctor's
earned gaze.
"And I think it would be very cowardly to give
way te such a woman," said Mary Dance, sharply.
"I haven't patience with her."
"Never raind, Mary; let her have her own way
for a while," said Holston. "I believe it is the best
Way with women, and they soon tire."
"A nice measurement of a woman's brains, Mr.
Helston," said Mary. "Do you hear, Miss Monroe?
—well, there, girl, don't look at me like that—do
You hear, Grace Monroe, then—he thinks we are like
children."
"Let us be children in obedience to what is best,
then," said Grace, smiling.
"I'll do as the others do," said Mary, shortly.
"Yes, I know you will, Mary," said Helsten ;
"and, depend upon it, Mr. Laurent and I will
always be ready to stand by you both, if there is any
Particular set made at you by the strong-minded
Party."
There was no excuse ,or a nurse now, though
Laurent had done all he could to keep Mary Dance
at his side • and it was on this day that she told him
he must shift for himself.
"But, Mary," he said, t nderly, as he tried to take
her hand, which was sharply withdrawn, "you are
never going to leade me yet—weak as I am?"
"You are quite strong enough to get about now,
sir."
"Sir?"
"Well, Mr. Laurent, then" said Mary, whose
cheeks were burning.
"Have I offended you, Mazy F" he said.
"Offended me? Oh, no, sm."
"Sir again, Mary ? Then why are you in such a
hurry to go ? "
" Became) you are so much better," she said,
quickly.
But I want to say something to you, Mary. I
want to tell you something which has forced itself
more strongly than ever upon me since I have seen
You about me these last few days. Mary—dear
Mary, I —"
"Stop, sir, please," she said shortly. "If you
have any respect for me, don't say any more.
You know how I am situated here, and how most
of those women feel towards me. Do you want
to make me unhappy and miserable amongst
them ?"
"Mary," he said, excitedly, "I'd give my life to
make you happy."
"I won't ask for that, sir," she said quickly,
"only give me your silence. Recollect, lam under
Your protection now more than ever."
She hurried out of the cabin, and went to where
Grace Monroe was sitting alone in the saloon work-
ing.
"Has the young doctor been here ?" said Mary
looking searchingly at her friend.
"No," said Grace meeting her eyes fearlessly.
"Has he been making love to you ?"
Grace rose, and drew herself up.
"I believe Mr. Holston to be a gentleman," she
said quietly, "and that he will always treat me
with respect."
"Yes," said downright Mary, "and with love as
well."
"Mary 1"
"Oh, it's all very well to say Mary,' but'do you
think I haven't seen through him ever since we
came on board? If he hasn't been making love to
you yet, he will directly, and I dare say you'll be as
stupid as I am."
Grace looked at her wonderingly.
"Has—has Mr. Helston spoken to you, then ? "
She said, in a husky voice.
"No," said Mary, her pleasant face expanding
into a smile, "but that other fellow has. No
sooner does he get well than he grows impertinent
and it's time for us to join the other side, so come
along."
"I shall always look upon you as my friend,
Mary, and be guided by you," said Grace, simply.
"Don't—no, don't,' said Mary, bursting into
tears, as she threw herself on her knees, and buried
her face in her friend's lap. "I'm only a silly, soft
foal, Grace; and I felt just now as if that wretch of
a mate could turn me round his finger. I hate my-
self. I could bite my tongue off. I could—there's
somebody coming. Let's go."
She started up, and dashed away the tears, to look
in Grace's face, which was alternately white and
rosy red, for at that moment Helston came in, spoke
to both of them pleasantly, and then entered
Laurent's cabin.
"Let us go now, then," said Grace, hastily, as she
caught Mary's hand in hers.
"Yes" said Mary, "it's quite time;" and she
P:ft e a hysterical sob as she caught Grace in her
arms. "I begin to wish there were no men at all,
and that we were all alone. But never mind. And
ilo v, mind this, don't give way a bit; for we've got
a tig,h• before us as soon as we go to those beauties,
and 'm glad of it, for there will be something else
to think about."

"You've quarrelled, and they tamed you adrift,'
said Deborah, spitefully; "and now you come
sneaking to us."
"No," said Mary, quietly, "we have not guar-
rered and they do not yet know that we have left
them."
Deborah's eyes sparkledFand a malignant smile
played about her lips. She was evidently unde-
cided how to act. _ _

The fact was, she 'was debating in her mind
whether to wreak her malice upon the-two girls, or
the men. it was a fine opportunity to spitefully use
the girls, and tell them to go back to those whom
they had chosen to follow; but, on the other hand,
there was the winning of these two over to their own
side, and leaving the men helpless and dependent—
alone.
This latter movement found most favour, and she
said, ungraciously—
" Well, you can stay."
No more was said then; but, half an hour after,
while they were below, they heard Helston's voice.
He was busy trying to make some addition to
their salt provisions by rigging out fishing tackle
over the side, and great success attended his first
trials, the result being a good heavy basket of fish,
which 'Thello undertook to dish up in a satisfactory
fashion.
He had just finished, and was talking to Laurent
on the probability of there being game of any kind,
or wild pig, in the woods, when it struck him that
neither Mary Dance nor Grace Monroe was in her
customary place sewing by the cabin door, and he
went to see—finding out for the first time that both
were gone.
"Have you had anything to do with this, Deborah
Burrows ? ' he said, turning sharply upon her.
"Not I," was the reply. "They saw how sensible
It would be to return to us, and they have come."
"Then you have done it by force," said Helston,
angrily.
"Force !" was-the contemptuously uttered answer.
"Not I; they came of themselves."
She turned away, and there was conviction in
the look that accompanied her words.
Helston frowned, but he said nothing, feeling that
It was better to wait; and fully determined that,
when opportunity came, he would ask Grace Mon-
roe to be his wife.
"And Laurent will ask Mary Dance," he thought
to himself. "Well, and why not? Surely, under the
circumstances, we can be married here as firmly as
If we waited to reach a civilized shore—waited, per-
haps for years—perhaps for ever. Help may never
come."
t'lt was a depressing ;thought, but one he was
compelled to harbour; for there seemed no prospect
of relief: they had evidently been driven far out of
the track of civilisation, and a vessel might never
come near them. If, then, this was to be their
fate, nothing remained for it but to be resigned, and
to make the best of their situation.
There was a long and anxious talk between him
and Laurent that night, and the next morning they
went ashore, for there was to be an expedition start,
under the orders of Deborah Burrows, for a survey
of the land, and to see what it offered in the way of
food for three hundred people.
Laurent declared himself well enough to go some
part of the way; and, without saying anything,
Helston well armed himself and the black--Laurent
taking a revolver, his injured arm preventing the
use of a gun.
On the men making their appearance on the
sands, Deborah burst into a scornful laugh.
"See," she said, pointing to the two, "they must
have firearms to protect themselves, while helpless
women are content with a hatchet to cut away the
brambles and thorns."'
"You may change your tone, Madam Deborah."
said 'Helston, in an undertone; and then they set
forward, the women, led by Deborah, going first,
and the men ignominiously behind; for Deborah had
hotly resented an effort made by Helston to take the
lead.
(21, b. eontintstd.)