The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-03-11
COPYRIGHT, 1900. BYR. r. FENN0 ; 90.

themselves. don't mind telling you
that much" ~
"Then guess you must have them,
only 1 don't see way short of lifting
them from the mans stateroom, and
that sort Of thing has an ugly name-if
it's found out" 4
at would be theft-for you, not me.
They are mine or my employers, and I
tell you should not hesitate to take
them openly or secretly, to fight over
them If could get anywhere within
reach"
"Reckon, captain, you'll be likely to
qualify, too, for states prison." said
Mr.. Rossiter, laughing.
had been promised news Of Frida
by my new friend Rossiter. But day
followed day, and yet he had nothing
to tell me. 1t was always the same
story: "Missys still under the weather,
like the rest Of the women folk. Not
able to leave her stateroom. Stew
ardess thinks she'll be laid by till we
make Sandy Hook. But I'll let you
know soon as hear"
At last on the fourth day at sea. n
superb day, fresh and sunny, my dear
girl made her appearance on deck, and,
as was ever on the watch, l saw her
from my distant second class station
long before Rossiter came With hfs re-
port. Indeed he was too busy, good
soul, in seeing to her wants and dane
ing attendance upon her to think very
much Of me. When he did appear, 1t
was only to get Roy. "Missy was mad
to see the dog" There was not word
about me.
When he returned, 1t was with rather
n scared face.
"All the fat is in the fire! The duch-
css has read your name on the dogs
COLLAR
"And guesses am on board?"
81 don't say that, not yet anyway,
but they're likely to ferret it out pretty
slick unless you cache down below for
the rest of the rum"
II shall not hide, my friend, not till
I've seen and talked with Miss Fair
hoime, and that I'm going TO do with
or without your help or leave"
Fright now"
"Right now, over there on the poop
deck, III the face Of them all. cali
pay for first class passage, and Ill do
1t under another name"
$50 as to call attention to yourself
and bring those toughs on top Of you
again-spoil all your hand"
"What can they do to me? And IL
they chose to try I'm man enough to
meet them. I'm not afraid of anything
straight and aboveboard."
"That's just what it wouldn't be. II
you come out now, you will be playing
their game-wiIl put them on their
guard anyhow. Don't be wrong head.
cd, captain, and wait, won't your"
How long? This Is the fourth day
ut-Wednesday. We shall make port
by Saturday, at latest, and then what
am to do?'
"See here, captain. III bring Miss
Farholme to you my own self this
very evening about dusk, or you to her.
IIow's that for high? There's a snug
spot right aft over the steering gear
just room for two, if they're fond Of
each other
did not know whether to be angry
with him or not, but began to see the
force Of his argument and agreed
eventually to wait, as he advised.
"Ilave you told her l am here? If
not, thnk-you will understand
should prefer
"a mods as good as wink, captain.
Never n word has she got from me as
to your being on board. and she shan't
Whether she has any suspicion Of 1t
or not cannot say. But don't know
why she should, and If she did cart
ropes wouldn't hold her, reckon. But
maybe am making too free
I am not ashamed to confess that for
the rest Of that day, so long as Frlda
kept the deck. l staid in the place
! from which l could best see her, and
borrowed pair Of glasses from Rossl-
ter to spy the better on her beautiful
face. saw that many emotions agl-
tated 1t in turn. 1t was wistful, ex-
pectant, sad, downcast, now flushing
bright with some vague hope, now
tender with soft memories, with
thoughts of ME, as l was conceited
enough to believe, and rightly, to judge
by the glad welcome she gave me when
i was once more by her side.
How the time passed | cannot say.
We sat there hand in hand gazing out
across the long track of the steamer
as it sparkled and foamed under the
moonlight and taking no thought of it,
of why we were there, what might be
In store for us or what l should do
next. We should have sat on far into
the night, l believe, perfectly uncon-
scious and unconcerned, except with
ourselves, had not tall figure sudden
ly thrown its shadow over US, and we
were addressed in low, nervous fe-
male voice:
pardon me, but knew could not
be mistaken. It's Captain Wood"
The Duchess Of TERRA Sagrada!
~ could not rest till had spoken to
you," she went on hurricdly. "Yet 1
felt de trop. did not like to disturb,
you, to interrupt you. May I ask one
word2 You escaped?
"As you see, duchess-uninjured, too,
except for the discomfort and rough
handling. You shall hear the whole
story some day"
II would gladly have spared you this
suffering from the very first. tried
hard, I>did indeed, even that first night
in the opera box, and afterward
would have warned you, but dared
not be more precise. Again, in that
terrible house was on your side"
Indeed, Duchess" broke In Frida,