The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-07-06
CHAPTER III.
THE REAIrTIFIrI. WHITE M

When l opened my eyes again,
found myself, to my intense astonish
ment, lying, fully dressed, in com
Portable hammock beneath we'll con
structed awning. The canvas walls oil
my resting place prevented me from
seeing anything more of my surround.
ings than my toes, but when l lifted
myself up and peered over the side il
was not the junk's evil planks that
saw before me, but the deck of hand
some, well appointed yacht. My ham
mock was seemingly swung amidships,
and judging from the side upon which !
looked-save the man at the wheel and
a couple OF hands polishing brasswork
for ard appeared to have the entire
deck to myself. Whose boat was she?
How had come to be aboard her, and
how long had l been there? But though
l puzzled my brains for an answer to
these questions could find none. NV
memory refused to serve me, and So
feeling tired, laid myself back again
upon my pillow and once more closed
my eyes.
| bad scarcely done so before heard
a noise IN the other side which caused
me to look over again. How shall de-
scribe what l saw there? Three years
have passed since then, but have the
| recollection of even the minutest detail
connected with the picture that was be-
fore me at that moment just as plainly
| engraved upon my memory as if it had
occurred but yesterday.
Seated in long cane chair, one elbow
balanced ON the arm rest and one tiny
! hand supporting her dimpled chin, was
the most beautiful woman-and say it
advisedly, knowing it to be true-that
l had ever or have ever beheld or shall
ever behold in my life. Though she
was seated, and for that reason could
not determine her exact height, was
convinced 1t was considerably above the
average; her figure, as much as could
see of it, was beautifully nodded; her
face was exquisitely shaped; her eyes
were large and of deep sea blue; while
the wealth of ripping hair that crown
ed her head was of natural golden hue
and enhanced rather than detracted from
the softness of her delicate complexion.
AS if still further to add to her general
fairness she was dressed entirely in
white, even to her deck shoes and the
broad panama hat upon her head Only
one thing marred the picture. By her
side, presenting fitting contrast to so
much loneliness, crouched, his head rest
ing between his fore paws, ferocious
white bulldog, who ever and anon look
ed up with big bloodshot eyes into her
face as If to make quite sure that there
was no one within reach whom she
might wish him to destroy.
She was evidently absorbed in her
own thoughts, anu presently the hand
that was hanging down beside the chair
found the dogs head and began softly
to stroke his tulip ears. Then her eyes
looked up, caught mine and seeing that
was no longer asleep she rose and
came toward me.
$50 you are awake at last, DR.. De
Normanville?" she said, with a smile,
and as | heard her it struck me that her
voice was even more beautiful than all
her other attributes put together. "You
have had long sleep-12 hoursp'
"Twelve hoursl' / cried in amaze
ment, at the same time gazing at her
with admiration only too plainly writ.
ten on my face. "You don't mean to
say that I've been IL hours asleep?
can hardly believe it. Why, it seems
only a few minutes since we were
aboard that rascally junk. And what
has happened since then? Is this the
vessel we left Hongkong to meet?'
sVas this ic tho baat W. ,x,o,o -
beginning to grow anxious about you
when the junk was sighted. / am
afraid, from your companions account.
you must have had desperate time on
board her.
Il should not care to go through it
again certainly" answered truthful.
ly. Zone such experience is enough to
last man a lifetime. By the way, how
is my companion? hope he is none the
worse for his adventures -
"You need have no fear on that score.
He is accustomed to that sort of thing
and thrives on it, as you may have no.
ticed. He is below at present, but as
soon as he comes on deck / will send
him to you. Now you had better lie
down again and try to get some more
sleep. You must remember that your
strength is Of the utmost value to us.
Il don't think I quite understand.
But before we go any further will You
tell me what yacht this is and to whom
/ am indebted for my rescue?'
This yacht is called the Lone Star. -
she answered, "and am the owner. ("
As she said this she looked at me in
rather queer sort of way, 1 thought.
but let it pass and asked another cues
ton.
Il am very much afraid You will
think me pertinacious, but is it rermis-