The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-11-12

IN SNS Entering the boat
@ e.: e. 4: a: {: IS: :: e !: Z:
away a few steps
from the place in which Mrs. Crayford,
was standing.
There is no storm now, and there
are no duties to be done on board the
ship" she said, with faint sad smile
which it wrung Crayford's heart to
see. You are Lucys husband, and
you have an interest in me for Lucy's
sake. Don't shrink on that account
from giving me pain. l can bear. pain.
Friend and brother, will you believe
that have courage enough to hear the
worst? Will you promise not tc
deceive me about Frank?"
The gentle resignation in her voice
the sad pleading in her look, shook
Crayford's self-possession at the out
set He answered her in the worst pos
sible manner-he answered her evas'
lively.
MY dear Clara" he said what have
| done that you should suspect me OF
deceiving you?"
She looked him searchingly in the
face-then glanced with renewed dis
trust at Mrs. Crawford. There was
moment of silence. Before any of the
three could speak again, they were in
tcrrupteu by the appearance of one
OF Crayford's brother officers, followed
by two sailors carrying a hamper be-
tween them. Crawford instantly drop
ped Claras arm, and seized the well
come opportunity of speaking of other
things.
ANY instructions from the ship,
Steventon?" he asked, approaching the
officer.
Verbal instructions only" Steven
ton replied. THE ship will sail with
the food tide. We shall fire a gun to
collect the people, and send another
beat ashore. In the meantime here
are some refreshments for the pas
sengers. The vessel is in state of
confusion; the ladies will eat their
lunch more comfortably here"
Hearing this, Mrs. Crawford took her
opportunity of silencing Clara next.
Come. my dear" she said, "let us
lay the cloth and put the lunch on the
table before the gentlemen come in
Clara was too seriously bent on at
tanning the object which she had in
view, to be silenced in that way. II
Will help you directly" she answered.
then crossed the room and addressed
herself to the officer whose name was
Steventon.
"Can you spare a few minutes?" she
asked Il have something to say to
you"
81 am entirely at your service, Miss
Burnham."
Answering in those words, Steventon
dismissed the two sailors. Mrs Cray
ford looked anxiously at her husband.
Crawford whispered to her, Don't be
alarmed about Steventon. have eau
toned him; l believe he is to be de-
pended on"
Clara beckoned to Crawford to re-
turn to her.
81 will not keep you long," she saidf
81 will promise not to distress Mr..
Steventon. Young as l am, you shall
both find that l am capable of self
control. l won't ask you to go back
to the story of your past sufferings;
I only want to be sure that am right
about one thing-I mean about what
happened at the time when the ex-
ploring party was dispatched in search
of help. AS l understand it, you cast
lots among yourselves who was to go
with the party, and who was to remain
behind. Frank cast the lot to go.''
She paused, shuddering. "And Richard
Wardour," she went on, east the lot
To remain behind. On your honor, as
officers and gentlemen, is this the
truth?"
ION my honor" Crawford answered,
'it is the truth
"On my honor" Steventon repeated,
"it is the truth"
She looked at them, carefully con-
sidering her next words before she
spoke again.
"You both drew the lot to stay in
the huts," she said, addressing Crawford
and Steventon, land you are both
here. Richard Wardour drew the lot
TO stay. and Richard Wardour is not
here. How does his name come to be
with Franks on the list Of the miss
ing?"
(To BE ooSTINUEDl