The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-10-30


day morning Kenyon and Miss Long
conversation naturally turned 10 the
subject which had occupied the minds
of both for the few last days.
do you know" said Miss Longworth.
81 have been thinking all along that she
would come to me at the last for the
money"
Il am not at all sure about that" an
swered Kenyon.
81 thought she would probably keepus
on the tenter-hooks just as long as pos
sible. and then AT the last moment come
and say she would accept the offer"
IF she does" said Kenyon, II would
not trust her. would give her to un-
derstand that a check would be handed
to her when we were certain the article
had not been used"
do you think that would be the safe
way to act if she came and said she
would take the money for not send
ing the cablegram? Don't you Think it
would be better to pay her and trust
to her honor?"
Kenyon laughed somewhat sarcastic
ally. II do not think would trust much
to her honor"
Now, do you know, have different
opinion of her. l feel sure that if she
said she would do thing. she would
do it,"
II have no such faith" answered
Kenyon. 81 think. on the contrary.
that she is quite capable of such an ac-
ton as asking you for the money and
still sending her telegram
well, | doubt if she would do so.
l think the girl really believes she is
acting rightly, and imagines she has
done a very creditable action in a very
clever way. If she were not what she
calls honest she would not have shown
as much temper as she did-not but that
gave a deplorabe exhibition of tenn
per myself for which there was really
no excuse"
Il am sure" said Kenyon, warmly,
you did nothing Of the kind. At all
events, l am certain everything you
did was perfectly right; and know
YOU were completely justified in any
thing you said.'
Il wish | could think So"
Il want to ask you one question:"
said Kenyon. But what that question
was will never be known. 1t was never
asked; and when Edith Longworth in
quired about it, scme time later, the
question had entirely gone from Ken
yon's mind. The steamship, which was
plowing along through the waters. sud-
denly gave shiver, as if it were shaken
by an earthquake; there were three
tremendous bumps, such as sled might
make by going suddenly over logs con-
cealed in the snow. Both Kenyon and
Miss Longworth sprang to their feet.
There was a low roar of steam, and
they saw a cloud rise up amidships,
apparently pouring out of every aper-
ture through which it could escape.
Then there was silence. The engines
had stopped, and the vessel heeled dis
tinctly over to the port side. When
Edith Longworth began to realize the
situation, she found herself very close
to Kenyon. clasping his arm with both
Lands.
"What-what is lit" she cried, in
alarm.
Something is wrong" said Kenyon.
Nothing serious, hope. Will you wait
here moment while go and see ?"
Certainly" she answered. releasing
his arm. "It is stupid of me. but feel
very much frightened"
Perhaps you would rather not be
left alone?"
"Oh. no, it is all over now; but when
the first of those terrible shocks came
il seemed TO me we had struck a rock"
There are no rocks here" said Ken
yon. The day is perfectlF, clear, and
we are evidently not out Of ,ur course.
Something has gone wrong with the
machinery, imagine. just wait mo-
n!cnt. and Will find cut!" As Kenyon
rushed toward the companionway he
:net Il sailor. hurrying in the other d.
rccticn.
i,at is the matter?" cried Ken,
Wv.
ia .-a.lcr ~2ve 20 answer.
On entering The cnmpan;onway door.
henycn IOdnu IHe place iuIl o. stSdIn'
and he ran against the officer.
What is wrong? Is anything the
matter?"
How should know?" was the an
swer. very curtly given. please do not
ask any questions. Everything Will be
attended to-
This was scant encouragement. Peo-
pie began crowding up the companion
way. coughing and wheeling in the
steam: and soon the deck. that a mo-
ment before bad been almost without
an occupant. was crowded with eX-
cited human beings in all states OF
dress and undress.
What is wrong?" was the question
on every lip. to which. as yet, there was
no answer. The officers who hurried ta
and fro were mute. or gave short and
unsatisfactory replies TO the inquiries
which poured in upon them. People did
not pause TO reflect that even an officer
could hardly be expected to know off
hand what was the cause of the sudden
stoppage of the engine. By and by
TIE cantain anneared- Smil;-g an