Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-02-16
CHAPTER TX


and rugs on the deck. Mrs. Goddard
and her companion sat side by side. AID
inclination towards sociability had
drawn most of the passengers together
In half-hearted efforts at entertain
ment, but the two characters belonging
to my history held themselves quite
aloof from all.
The captain, who as a habit spoke
to few of his passengers, seemed to have
singled Mrs. Goddard out as a voyager
of no little distinction owing to her oc-
cupation of the best stateroom on
board, for he often bowed to her as he
passed. To-day, when Mrs. Goddard
saw him coming along the deck in their
direction, she nudged her companion.
There is vacant chair next to me ~
she said. IF can get him to sit down
moment shall play my first card"
oh, don't say anything before me, -
entreated Mrs. Nolan; ST feel SO shaly."
you must get over that" ordered
our arch conspirator, sternfy. Now,
don't you forget what 1 told YOU"
The captain was now quite near. II
was the smile of Mrs. Goddard that
caused him to doff his cap and pause.
"A hne day, madam" he said, cor
daily.
She motioned for him to sit down In
the chair on her left. - a
Il have been wanting to speak to
you, captain, ever since the beginning
OF the voyage" she said, and there
was strange lack-luster expression
In her eyes.
am at your service, Mrs. God
dard," he said. studying her face, curl
ous1y.
'NOf course, don't want You to re-
gard what l say in the light of a COM
plaint,' she went on. "In fact, I
make up my mind to put up with a
great many horrible things at sea.
But, captain, is there not "a decided
feeling among the sailors that we will
never get into port alive?"
why, MADAME" He opened his
eyes wide with sstonishment. az don't
understand you. Surely
II have always heard they were SUI
perstitious people by nature" she
broke in. Now Lucy, here, has been
trying to pacify me al day; but she is
lying to me. / am sure my husband
instructed her to keep me in the dark"
The captain glanced past her and
tried to catch Mrs. Nolan's glance.
but this woman was looking off in the
opposite direction, her face deathly
white, and twitching with excitement.
You were saying that the sailors
are superstitious by nature" he
foundered about in his effort to ap-
pear both respectful and to get at her
meaning.
Yes, and you see, passing so many
dead bodies of men, women and chill
dren would make them more so. I
can't bear it. There are more of
them on this side of the ship than
the other"
why, what do you meanP" he
gasped. Madam, there are no dead
bodies here"
Mrs. Goddard flared up and gave
him her eyes steadily.
"My husband has instructed you to
deceive me, too" she cried. Lucy
said you would agree with her. You
are ali in the plot to worry me-to kill
me-"
She rose suddenly and dropped her
rug at her feet.
81 am going to my stateroom and
try to sleep, but what does closing my
eyes amount to? i can see them Just
the same"
The captain was on his feet almost
as soon as she was and he walked
with her to the door of her room.
Then, with face much disturbed, he
came back to Mrs. Nolan. lie put his
finger on his brow significantly.
Something is wrong with her." he
said, in the peremptory tone of a SUI
perior to one beneath him; "what is
it?'
at is not at all serious, SIR" stam-
mered Mrs. Nolan. "She doesn't talk
that way often"
"Did you know her mind was-was so
when you left America with her?"
''She told me she had strange feelings
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., but that the
ocean always cured her"
Does her family know of her condi-
tion?"
Mrs. Nolan shook her head doubt
fully.
81 think not, sir, it seems to me she
was leaving home to keep them from
finding out the truth"
"Ah! he sat silent for moment, then
he rose. eff she is not better soon you
must let noe know, do you under
stand?"
II will do so, sir; but I am sure she
will give US no trouble. will go see if
she wants anything"
When Mrs. Nolan reached the state
room she found her companion on the
bed szi-ing from a rightly expectant
face; her eyes were cleaning with half
amused fear. She drew Mrs. Nolan
down on the edge of the bed.
What did he say after left?'
Mrs. Nolan repeated the converse.
tion.
"Goodl" exclaimed the recumbent
woman. "That is quite enough for the
present. 1t will prepare him for the
climax-divest his mind from all posi-.
BILE suspicion of trickery in the chief
event when it comes. / must not cause
him to set a close watch on me. Tell
him when you meet him Lext that ]
have been to sleep and that I am de.