The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-02
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| ing his fever weakened frame--Loring
leaned against the rail, gazing back at
the receding shores, trying not 10 hear
| the girls sobbing.
The chatter OF the flock OF women was
! incessant. Turnbull and two Guaymas
merchants had joined the group, but all
were intent on those harbor lights now
fast glimmering 10 mere sparks upon the
sea, and the lonely girl sat there forgot
ten. Not once was voice uplifted I'm ques :
tion as 10 what had become OF her. Ev-
cry moment now the stern was lifted
higher in the air and then dropped deep
er into the roaring, kissing waters, and
women tightened their, hold upon the
taffrail and gave shrill little shrieks and
huddled closer together. and presently
one of the elders fell back and begged 10
be led below, and then another. and by
the time the last glimmer OF the town
had been hid from view and only the
steady CLEAN OF the lighthouse shone
forth upon their foaming wake the hardi-
est OF the gay little party OF the earlier
evening had been carefully assisted down
the brass bound stairway. and when five
bells tinkled windily somewhere forward
there with little hands clasped about the
stanchion, shawl thrown over her head,
that head pillowed In her arms-there
alone in the darkness and the rush OF the
wind and sea--there, the very picture
OF heartbroken girlhood-still sat Pan
cha, and Loring could bear IL no longer.
He was thinking over his Spanish TO
be sure OF his words when the starboard
doors Of the companionway Were sudden
ly thrown open. and in the bright light
from within two burly forms stepped un-
steadily forth. then lurched for the near
est support. and Loring heard the jovial
tones OF Turnbull.
''He must be up here or overheard.
He's nowhere below" Then glacing
sternward. "Oh. Loring," he shouted and
at the name Pancha's little dark head
was suddenly uplifted. and a pair of
black eyes. red rimmed and swollen with
weeping. gazed. startled. toward the dark
figures. For the life Of him Loring could
not answer the hail. Turnbuirs voice and
words alone had been sufficient TO rouse
her from depth OF woe and TO give rise
to new and violent distress. She was
trembling and he could plainly see IL.
To answer would only announce to the
frightened girl that the man whose name
was sufficient 10 cause such evident dis
may was standing there just beyendE Aef-
seat-within a few PAGES OF her-and had
probably been there for some time.
Quickly watching his chance. as the
Idaho careened 10 port, Loring shot round
the deckhouse and made his way for
ward until he reached the companion
stairs on that side. and in another mo-
ment was clinging TO the outer knob OF
the doorway on the other and answering
the eager questions as to where he'd
been and whether he better not turn In.
Have a brandy and water. sir" urged
the colonels new companion. Nothing
like II 10 head off NAL de mer. We're
In for a lively night. Half the women
are sick already. and the colonel here
was turning white about the gils.
'The air in the cabin was close after
all that champagne It's fresh In the
staterooms, though" answered Turnbuil.
Come on, Loring. It's time for you TO be
abed." Then in a low tone he queried:
whats become OF the child? Did sne
see you? Has she got back to shore?'
For answer Loring pointed To the
dark figure shrinking from view half a
dozen yards away toward the heav:ng
stern. Their joviol fellow passenger
again interposed.
Come, gentlemen. brandy and waters
what we need. amt it?' The Idaho's
champagne had evidently taken effect.
Right" said Turnbull run down and
order for us. quick, or it'll be too late.
Wen join you in a minute" The buriy
merchant dived for the doorway on the
next stomach wrecking lurch and coll
ided with the white capped stewardess.
Fastening up with anxiety I'm her eyes.
The two officers clung TO the mizzen
shrouds opposite the companionway as
she emerged from the wind o0s.. ....
she emerged from the broad light into
the darkness of the wind swept deck II
was a moment before she could distin-
guish objects at all. Then with prac-
ticed step she went swiftly to the crouch
ing figure at the distant end OF the long
seat.
II have learied something Of her." MUIR
INJURED Turnbull. THAT was her fathers
brother. Escalante. who came aboard
with her. That woman at Sancho's was
not her mother. She has been dead for
many year. She was own sister to De