The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-05-24
Select Sturp.
MRS. VANDERYON'S COMPANION.
From London Tit-Bits.

From London TitBits.
had stood near the gangway Of the
steamship Philistine ever since she had
begun to take passengers aboard in the
morning, and now that the time of depar-
ture kad arrived and we were leaving the
landing stage turned away to seek my
cabin
For many months large and increasing
quantities of diamonds had been struggled
into the States, and the authorities were
in despair at their inability TO check the
practice. Thus it came about that was
deputed to sail across the Atlantic in one
of the Liverpool boats that / might en-
deayor to locate those concerned during the
voyage Hardly had I arrived in England
than cablegram reached me from my chief
directing me to take passage with the
Philistine, which he had reason to believe
was to be the scene of the next attempt.
A hubbub Of noise came from the cor
ridor The occupants OF the adjoining
stateroom were for the most part excitedly
talking and unpacking luggage for imme
date use Suddenly the man who was
moving about just beyond my partition
opened his door and called for the steward
Involuntarily, | gave slight start.
Something in that voice was familiar. |
listened carefully when next he spoke, but,
try as / would, | failed to bring to mind
the owner name. Perhaps glimpse of
the man would stimulate my memory.
rose from my seat and stepped briskly out
side, almost colliding with him in my
haste.
His back was toward me, and l was
able to note his short, thick-set figure sup
ported on the right side by crutch, be-
fore he wheeled around SO sharply as to
lose his grasp of it. 1 caught his arm, or
he would have fallen.
Excuse me, / said, apologetically.
II fear / startled you And STOPPING
reached his crutch and replaced it.
A slight smile chased away the angry
look which had first appeared upon his
dark features. ssYou were not at all in
fault, he replied 4 ought not to have
attempted such thing as turning SO quick
ly. | had forgotten my affection for the
moment, and imagined | was as strong as
ever. ;"
I found that / had been placed at the
captain table at dinner, and, upon taking
my seat, discovered my vis-a-vis to be the
very man upon whom my thoughts were
conferred. He smiled and commenced
chatting amiably.
II hope we shall have pleasant voy-
age, he said. 1.-THE weather seems pro-
pitious
made some conventional reply. "Have
you friends on board with yon?' I in
quired
ssNot single one. I know it is risky
to cross the Atlantic in my condition, but
circumstances have forced me to do it. =
Just why suspicion of this man should
enter my head l cannot say, but from that
moment growing feeling that he was not
altogether honest in his protestations took
possession of me. / watched him keenly.
We went out together and up on to the
deck That strange spirit of unrest still
held him. With muttered apology he
hurried off to find the steward. In some
eagerness / followed little way behind.
Yes, sir, I heard the steward say,
ssMrs. Vanderton and her companion are
in No, st.
'sThen she is on board p said Fetch
er. With curt nod he crossed to where
was standing II always retire early
doctor orders, you know Good night.
ssNow, what am I to think p | COM
muned with myself as he went down be-
low. ssThe man is not altogether square.
First no friends; then he asks after and is
anxious about two ladies. think it will
pay me to keep an eye on him. Fletcher!
can remember anyone of that name. =
Later in the evening / had occasion to
visit my state room. | went SO quietly
that my neighbor was unaware of how near
/ was to him. Contrary to his statement
he had not as yet retired. / heard him
walk across the floor, and-yes, there could
be no gainsaying the fact he was not
using the crutch.
We were within 36 hours sail of New
York, and was still in doubt as to what
course | should take. Fletcher had given
no further sign that he was the man
wanted. Also, the two ladies in whom he
had interested me had made their first APP
pearance at the dinner table that evening,
and he had not attempted to speak with
them. In fact, to me he seemed rather
to avoid them.
But that night was to reveal much. l
had gone away from the crowd of passen-
gers and found seat in one of the dark
est corners of the deck Suddenly heard
Fletcher coming along and as he was NOV
ing rather rapidly I looked out to find the
cause. A few yards before him was a
young lady, and he was trying to catch
her up. AS she passed one Of the lamps l
recognized her. My heart gave jump.
She was Mrs. Vanderton's companion.
Lucille p he called, softly. sLu-
ellie T
A little cry escaped her, and she halted
as though frightened. eWho are you ?"
she asked, speaking with slight French
accent. 81 do not recognize
tsOf course not, and the man chuckl-
ed. / look rather different to what did
two years ago. But you will remember
your old friend Alec Heyley r
ssAlec Heyley p With the sound of
the name the owner past history returned
to me in flash. The last time saw him
he was criminal in dock, when I heard
him sentenced to IL months imprison-
ment for attempted burglary.
''You r cried the girl, peering into
his face. "Why, what are you doing
here?'
$50 you have not forgotten? That's
all right Oh don't be afraid my dearr'
he said, Familiarity ''What's the game
you're trying to work p
81 fail to understand your meaning,
she replied, with an impatient gesture.
s'Come, Lucille, don't behave like
saint can tell you things about your
self that even you would not care to hear.
Are you supposed to have turned over a
new leaf, Ell p
She did not answer him. Her foot was
tapping the deck angrily.
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