The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-04
CHAPTER XII.


steamer find shelter of another island. and
AL the intervening hours she wallowed
In the trough Of the sea. with the wind
abeam, and by the time the heights OF
Carmen island loomed between them and
tie red glow OF the sunset skies Turnbul
had thrice wished himself in hotter clmes
than even Arizona and could only feebly
damn his junior for coming down 20 ask
II there were not something he could do
for him.
Yes; take this pistol and shoot me, >
moaned the sufferer. No, OF course, l
don't want brandy and water nor you
nor anybody. It's simply scandalous for
YOU to be up and Well Go away
And. though Loring sorely needed coun-
sci. he felt that Turnbul was In no mood
for talk and so climbed back on deck
again. He had made up his mind 10 tell
the purser the whole story and 10 ask him
TO examine the contents OF the package.
All the liveong night the Idaho plowed
and careened through the rolling seas,
gaining scant relief off Santa Catalina
and San Jose. but when in the undimmed
splendor OF the morning sun she swept
proudly into the placid. handbook harbor
Of old La Paz Loring was the only man
among her passengers 10 appear on deck.
Even after she dropped anchor and one or
two bedraggled victims were hosited from
below, and dropped over the side 10 be
rowed ashore none OF the women of the
gay Guaymas party was able TO climb the
stairs. The wind was gone by sundown.
and the Idaho once more steered coast
wise for Cape San Lucas. The night wore
on and Loring was still alone when. just
as the tinkle OF the ships bell told that
o'clock had come. with soft. warm air
drifting off the land, fragile little fern
issued slowly from the companionway,
and the stewardess smiled nvitingIy on
the blue eyed officer, as though begging
him to aid her feeble charge TO a seat.
II have brought the senorita up for
half an hour. made her come" said
she as she dumped the pile of shawls
into a spreading chair and began pre-
pairing a nest. while Pancha. turning
away at sight OF Loring, sank TO the
end OF the bench. the very seat she oc-
cupied as they put TO sea from Quay
mas. But now IL was Loring who ten
dered his arm. and, calmly ignoring her
evident IL unspoken protest. aided in lift
ing her from the bench and seating her
In the depths OF the easy reclining chair
The stewardess, with practiced hand,
carefully tucked the rugs about her and.
bidding the little damsel make the most
OF thesoft air while she herself ran below
TO prepare her chocolate, would have
gone al once but for Pancha's trembling
yet restraining hand. The child seemed
to cling to her I'm desperation. Rapidly
and in low tone she poured forth tor
rent OF pleading and the kind hearted
woman looked about her in perplexity
and distress.
What can do. sir?'' said she to Lor-
eaten nothing since she came aboard. She
has cried herself sick. She is as weak as
a baby and must have food. yet she VIII
not let me CO."
stay With her until she is calmer."
said Loring. 'I'll get what Is needed"
But / cannot The other ladies call for
me incessantly."
A little disk OF gold was slipped quick
" into the disengaged hand. Let them
call awhile but don't you CO. was the
double answer
It is odd to note how soon the trou-
bled waves subsidized along those summer
shores. The Idaho was only lazily bow
.ng and courtesying to old Neptune now.
A long. languorous heave OF the billows,
as though worn out with the furious LASH
Ing OF the last few days. was the only
greeting Of the broadening sea as the
steamer rounded the southeast headland
and slowly bore away for Cape San Lu-
cas-. Little Pancha's ousky head was
resting wearly yet resignedly on the pill
low, her hand still clasping that OF the
etewardess. as an attendant from below
appeared with little tray and some
scalding hot chocolate. some tender slives
OF the breast of chicken, some tempting
little dainties were quickly set before
her.
Make her take them" whispered Lor-
ing from the shadows, and, once the Of
fort was made and the ice broken" the
dark eyed invalid ate almost eagerly AT
three bells the stewardess was allowed
10 slip away for just a little more choc-
olate. and glancing furtively, fearfully
about her Pancha was aware OF dim
masculine form seated not ten feet away.
She knew Il was Loring and yet could
not move. She felt that he must present
" rise and accost her. and she shrank
from the melting In dismay, yet soon be-
gan 10 look again and 10 note that he
had not changed his attitude. Apparently
Indifferent 10 her presence. he was gaz-
ing dreamily out across the slowly heav-
ing biilows, wherein the stars were dane
ing.
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. Could IL be
that he had forgotten or that he did not
recognize her? Yet she had heard how
both Loring and the other. that older Of
fcer, Colonel Turnbull. had carried her
below as she slowly rallied from her
fainting spell two nights before Surely
she thought she remembered seeing recol-
lection or recognition in the eyes OF both,
yet now. when he had opportunity 70 ac-
cuse 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 10 go.
once again Panchs was alone when the
Ginning tinkie. four bells. told that 10
o'clock had come. and then for a mo-
nent 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
ne would speak. Now he would demand
OF her 20 explain her part IN the wicked
thing that had happened. She dreaded.
Yet she longed 90 stay. for she had a story
that she could eagerly tell 20 him. For
moment her heart lay stiil and then
ieapcd and fiuftered uncOntrollabiy.
Slowly the shadowy fellow passenger had
found his feet. Steadily he looked. az
though straight al her, for nearly min
ute. then as slowly and deliberately turn
cd his back and walked, awsT forward.
When. nearly an hour later tho slew