Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-01-28

shores. Line lOanO was only iaZ1ly DOW
ing and cCurtesying to old Neptune
now. A long, 1anguorous heave of the
pillows, as though worn out with the
furious lashing of the last few days,
was the only greeting Of the broaden
ing sea as the steamer rounded the
southeast headland and slowly bore
away for Cape San Lucas Little Pan
cha's dusky head was resting YEARLY
yet resignedly on the pillow, her hand
still clasping that Of the stewardess, as
an attendant from below appeared with
little tray and some scalding hot
chocolate, some tender slices of the
breast of chicken, some tempting little
dainties were quickly set before her
make her take them,'' whispered
Loring from the shadows, and, once the
effort was made and the "ice broken.
the dark eyed invalid ate almost eager
ly. At three bells the stewardess was
allowed to slip away for just a little
more chocolate, and glancing furtively,
fearfulIy about her Pancha was aware
of a dim masculine form seated not ten
feet away She knew it was Loring and
yet could not move She felt that he
must presently rise and accosJ her, and
she shrank from the meeting in dismay,
yet soon began to look again and to note
that he had not changed his attitude.
Apparently Indifferent to her presence,
he was gazing dreamily out across the
slowly heaving pillows. wherein the
stars were dancing
The stewardess was gone full quarter
Of an hour, and in all that time he new
er even once glanced her way, and poor
Pancha found her eyes fitting toward
him every little while in something al
most akin to fascination Gould it be
that he had forgotten or that he did
not recognize her? Yet she had heard
how both Loring and the other that
older officer Colonel Turnbull had
carried her below as she slowly rallied
from her fainting spell two nights be-
fore. Surely she thought she remem-
bered seeing recollection or recognition
in the eyes of both. yet now. when he
had opportunity to accuse her. not one
word did he attempt She was warmed
and comforted by the chocolate and the
food. She enjoyed the second cup just
brought her She begged the stewardess
to stay, yet only family protested when
told she had to go
Once again Pancha was alone when
the Ginning tinkle. four bells, told that
10 O'Clock had come, and then for mo-
ment she turned cold again and shrank
within her rugs and wraps for Loring
slowly and deliberately rose and looked
toward her Now he was coming Now
he would speak Now he would demand
Of her to explain her part In the wicked
thing that had happened. She dreaded.
yet she lOnged to stay, for she had a
story that she could eagerly tell to him.
For a moment her heart lay still and
then leaped and fluttered uncontrollably
Slowly the sbadowy fellow passenger
had found his feet Steadily he looked,
as though straight at her, for nearly a
minute, then as slowly and deliberately
turned his back and walked away for
ward When, nearly an hour later, the
stewardess came to lead her below and
the purser and one of the ships officers
had both been to inquire If she felt bet
ter and to tell her to be of good cheer
she'd be all right on the morrow and
trolling for dolphin on the blue Pacific
though she saw Loring slowly pacing
up and down, though twice he passed
so close to her that by stretching forth
her tiny foot she could have checked or
tri pped him, not once again did she de-
tect so much as a glance at her.
And yet, when little later the stew
ardess tucked her in her white berth
and invented messages and inquiries
from her Frustrated aunt and cousins in
nei9 hboring staterooms, that designing