The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-09-13
CHAPTER K.

CHAPTER x.
When Charlotte had made sure of
the pseudo deck hands identity in
the forenoon of the second day out
she had thought the assurance I'M
assailable and had conducted herself
accordingly. But whom she awoke
late on the morning following the
brave rescue of the mate, assurance
had departed.
With the admission of the smallest
doubt, she could by no means go on
with her plan of betrayal until the
doubt was removed; and, not know
ing what else to do, she went to the
captain to find out if possible all he
knew about the mates rcscuer.
The interview was most unsatisfac-
tory. She led up to the subject by
telling the captain the story of the
rescue, and so was privileged to ask a
few questions about the rescuer. Did
the captain know him? And, above
all, did the captain know the day and
hour when the man had Joined the
4 crew?
Capt. Mayfield knew no more than
that the mans name was John Gavitt,
l and that he had joined some time dur
II ing the day of departure from New
Orleans. He was sick tramp, work
\ ing his way home to some small river
Il town in Iowa.
So the doubt remained unsolved,
/ after all, and her hands were tied I'M
less it could be removed. She could
think of no other eXpedient, save an
interview with the man himself, and
this she knew was impossible-in it's
bringing about and in any definite re-
suit that could accrue. For if she
could bring herself to question him,
surely he would lie in his own behalf.
And yet it was the impossible
thing that happened. For that even
ing just at'dusk, while she was stand
ing on the guard upon which her
stateroom window opened, she heard
a step on the stair leading from the
deck above. A man descended slowly,
and when he came near enough she
recognized him. She let him go until
her opportunity was all but lost;
then, piucking courage out of the
heart of desperation, she recalled
him.
'One moment, if you please; IL
want to speak to you," she faltered;
and he turned obediently and stood
before her.
Followed pause, surcharged with
the electricity of things ominous. He
was generous enough to come to her
rescue.
"You have something to say
to me?"
eyes; l want to ask you at what
time you joined the crew of the
SBelle julie
The question did not surprise him
liner did he attempt to evade it
though he knew to what it would
lead.
Between twelve and one o'clocl
the day before yesterday"
Ne N'Will you tell me where you wei,
lat IN O'Clock that day?"
es, if you ask me-"
do ask you"
ss;:"I was in a certain public building
N3n8,New Orleans, as near to you n
nite?"
s.It is. I thought had hoped
uh, why did you do it?" she burs
out.
nc was the old story of one man
raenty and another's need"
SS.sBut surely"
"I know what you would say.
was willing to work; was not willin
Hto beg. know it was all wrong, fro1
Nyour point of view, but I should b
! sorry to think that I did what be
lieved to be wrong"
II Surely you must know it
wrong.'
"No, I don't. If 1 did, you woul
Kbe relieved of what 1 conceive to b
r. painful duty. l should surrende
myself at once"
: Then you are not sorry? I sa
you yesterday afternoon, and hope
lyon were"
Il was sorry then--and am nov
for the very good reason that ha,
lost .the money"
sLost it?' she gasped.
Yes" And he told her about tt
IN hiding of the treasure and it's disa]
Npearance.
s.oh, dear!" she said; "that make
all the harder" ~
For you to do what you must
You mustn't think of that.
shouldn't have made restitution
any event"
Then you know what must dc:
sAssuredly. II knewit yesterday.
Nas merciful in you to reprieye n