Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-02-05

/
'.SSxssc Just the same,
~Zx.ZT/n& have been left in
uNg5|HNT,H"" the lurch SO often
S p that 1 positively
decline to repeat the experiment.
"But I will leave you my watch and
rings, and 1 assure you that 1 tell
nothing but the truth"
"Tm not disputing your word, sir;
but L am forbidden to take such
things, and I say again, it can't be
done. L have my instructions, and
shall be obliged to put you in the
storage. You say you have SIG.
Well, give me that" The money was
/ handed over.
'Boy, show this man to the steer
age steward"
Such was the conversation I over
heard between Purser aud passenger
aboard an Atlantic greyhound on our
first day out from New York. Natur-
ally glanced a second time at the
hapless passenger as without another
word he turned and walked with dig
nifty past me toward the storage. 1t
was evident he had no intention of
appealing to the Captain; nor would
that recourse have been likely to avail
him, for every year matters of this
kind are left more and more to the
Purser, his superior officer being suf-
ticiently occupied with the navigation
of the ship and the government of the
crew.
Tho pursar and ,-o,o al1 f,;o, L.
and travelling companions; indeed, 1
was at that moment on my way to his
familiar little paneled and portrait
lined room for bit of visit. There
fore felt free to ask him what the
row was.
"Oh, the same old game OF no
money; came on board at the last mo
ment in response to a cable; will pay
when he gets ashore, and SO forth.
Not much! Been sold too often"
'But, Kenshaw, that mans face in
spires me with great confidence. He
looks like a gentleman, and he bore
himself like thoroughbred. Didn't
you notice it,"
eyes, yes; but that's the dodge. !
know 'em. Don't you waste good sym
pathy on that fellow. The more gem
tlemanly looking, the greater rascals,
generally"
well" l said, "tell me his name,
anyway"
'Oh, certainly; King"
At length [ rose and went on deck.
1t was a glorious afternoon. The ship
was bowling along at the rate of twenty
knots an hour, fine breeze was blow
/ ing, and the salt air acted like cham.
pagne upon my nerves and spirits.
Passing forward and over the bridge,
l reached the forecastle deck. ] was
really looking for King, but with No
definite plan regarding him. Sure
enough, there he was, seated on an
anchors and staring ahead into
space. Stepping to his side, / said
do you feel at home here, Mr..
King?"
The man turned, exclaiming with
wide.open eyes: Good Heavensl Dc
you know me?"
"No," 1 answered; "but somehow l
want to-"
"Well," was the reply, lyon seem
to know my name, at all events. May
[ ask you to explain yourself? Are
You in the steerage, too?"
"No," said !; "and if you won't
think me impertinent, l want to know
why you are"
King looked at me for few seconds
with strange expression, and then
answered: "I'll swear Tn not here
for amusement. Have you an object
in asking, or are you simply gratifying
idle curiosity?"
''Mr. King" said I, 81 may be q
fool, and you may be an adventurer,
but | don't believe so. / came out OF
sincere interest. heard your briei
but pointed conversation with the Pur-
ser, and L can't get you off my mind.
That there is something peculiar in
your position is evident; that there is
a good explanation, l believe. Tc
show my good faith L give you my
card. Tell me what's wrong"
Immediately his glance fell to the
deck. He remained thus for half d
minute or more, and when he raised
his great, brown, honest, manly eyes
to mine there was just n suspicion OF
moisture in them, although his only
remark was: "Well, I'll be hanged
if understand this sort of kindness. -
Then, after few moments hesita
ton:
captain Davis, am in a false
position. L am abundantly able TO
travel in the cabin; but. no matter
what have somewhere else, haven't
anything here. won't even tell you
who I am, for you would not know but
that 1 was lying. 1 don't blame the
Purser, for l presume I should do just
as he did if our positions were re-
versed. have nothing to ask, for ]
can stand these seven days. I have