The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-07-18


BILE. Earlier in the day, having moth
ing better 10 do, he had set out for a
sail across the bay. They had run In
on the sandy beach Of "A forsaken spot
called Puenta Majorga. There the
bOatman had taken him on his shOul-
ders and carried him through the surf,
finally dropping him so that he got
nicely wet. ON the return journey the
wind had freshcned and II had come on
TO rain with the result that he now
stood somewhat forlOrn looking OBJ
ject, with clothes spoilt by sea water
and wet sand.
1t had just occurred 10 him that the
next obvious thing was 10 change his
attire. when the sound Of voices caught
his ear Looking round he caught
sight Of q little group some fifty yards
aw.y-a girl a middlc-agcd lady and
brawny looking man in a brass
bound" suit. Something m the girls
appearance attracted him, ana uncOn-
sciOusly he moved nearer 10 the trio.
lie got within a dozen PAGES Of them,
and, standing behind pile Of crates,
enjoyed view at close quarters.
by Jover ne murmurcd, under his
breath. The girl was tall and slim,
magnifcently goOd.lOoking. He could
not take his eyes from her. There was
a certain air Of vigor and independence
about her that fascinated him.
She raised her arm and pointed
across the bay TO where large white
yacht lay at anchor.
You mean 10 say the SCud can't sail
to-day, Captain Flint" she exclaimed.
Her voice sent thrill through him.
There was the slightest, most delicious
suspicion Of transatlantic accent In
II, and he was cnraptured.
In "A drawing tone the Captain gave
an account of what had happened II
appeared that the Scotch engineer, Nc
Alister, had gone OFF on a birthday
frolic, and, as the result OF n joyial
little excursion in the vicinity OF Alge-
ciras, had managed 10 get hauled of
to n local Spanish jail
The girl was in despair.
what shall we dof The cable was
urgcnt-the Scud will have 10 get to
Alexandria by the 22d. Can't we pick
up another engineer in Gibraltar"
The Captain shook his head
But We can't wait until he's re
leasedw she cried with n little stamp
of her foot. Something will have to
be done"
The man standing behind the crates
had been drinking in every word. his
eyes fastened on the girls face. Sud
denly an idea flashed upon hint was
a mad one, but 1t gripped him.
Without a moments further cOnsid-
Grafton he stepped forward and con.
fronted the trio.
Beg pardon" he said, touching his
hat. II happened to overhear | gath
cred you want an Cnglneer?'
The girl looked at the figure before
her in astonshment. She saw tall
goCd-iooking, clean-shayen man in wet,
sodden clothes with the collar of his
coat turned up.
Are you an engineer?' she asked
eagerly.
He nodded.
Il could take you to Alexandria in
the time" he said
Captain Flint was interested.
Say, young feller. got papers to
show" he drawled. And what's your
name?"
The man looked him back square in
the face
"My name is Dennis" he said. And
haven't got papers to show"
He turned 10 the girl frankly.
You would have 10 take me on
chance" he said. II give YOU my word
that | am capable Of running the en-
gines OF your yacht. and getting her 10
Alexandria in the time. bar a break.
down-but more l cannot say. VIII
you risk it?"
The girl glanced at him hesltatincly.
The Scud must sail" she began.
Guess we can see in an hour or SO
whether he's up to the job" said Cap.
tain Flint, suggestively.
The man looked at the girl with an
inquiring smile. She gave him one
more glance-thon made up her mind
You're engaged she SAID. briSkly.
Thus il was In short time he found
himself at work on the yacht. In
another three hours ne had the steam
up and the ladies having come on
board. the SCud raised her anchor and
slowly made her way out of the bay.
As engineer hc was complete sue.
cess. and quickly earned the warm ap-
provGl OF Captain Jake Flint. from
whom he CLEANED a good deal OF in
ter,sting information. Ii appeared
that the yacLt was the properly OF
MIR Silas Lewisun. rich American.
and that the girl on board was his only
daughter Her father had LETT her in
England and. a few weeks ago. had
made the journey to Cairo. leaving hog
TO follow moro leisufely in the Scuc
For the first two days ne spent most
OF his time I'm the engine room one,
or twice. as he sat watching the move.
ments OF the big cylinders. he broke
into n soft laugh. IL was on the third
day. when he Mapped to be on deck.
that she spoke TO him
we are getting ON famously. Mr.
Dennis. think n good fate must have
dropped you from the clouds. she said
with n smile.
He looked at her and tried 20 hide
the look Of admiration that had crept
10 his eyes. She seemed more glorious
ly beautiful than ever. He made some