The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-02-11

times now. and I've watched him close.
He don't go In for the things that most
of his breed do-eards and women and
wine" Miss Strathmore thought of her
quotation We've got the chance to
see things on these ships, you bet. but
I've never seen Merida do a foolish
thing yet. 1t may be because he's been
to school in England and runs the New
York end of affairs for their fincas but
why ever it Is it's so. And edicated-'
he added awe inspiredly. "Why, that
fellow speaks four languages as well as
he does his own and has got something
to say In all Of them. You mind what !
say, Miss Elizabeth. l knew your
father when 1 was a boy. and the best l
could wish for his daughter would be
to marry young Merida He stood up
and started off. Get him to tell you
how he and the other young bloods held
the governors palacio against q revo-
iutionist mob for a day and q night.
Make up to him.
Which-the advice and the strategy
had the natural effect Of rendering
Miss Strathmore more than barely civil
to Merida when he stopped to speak to
her. He had changed the suit In which
he had come on board and was in white
6annels now.
Hes not handsome" she decided,
remembering the regular features Of
other Spanish blooded males she had
known, but he's quite the most swag-
ger Individual ever saw"
He pulled up wicker chair beside
her, and they began to talk. It was 10
O'Clock then. They were still talking
when the luncheon gong sounded at
one. They went down together and
talked through the meal
If Miss Strathnlore had been stupid,
she would have stayed on deck the rest
of the afternoon. As it was, she went
to the cabin for nap and then devot-
ed herself-the least in the world OBJ
viOusly-to her mother until dinner
time. But there was the evening after
that. They spent 1t together In the
bow and talked-of the phosphorus and
things.
1t was not until after q good many
nights that they got to anything much
more personal. Then it came all at
| once. Merida stood wedged into the
extreme point Of the bow and Miss
Strathmore sat half overhanging the
black ocean when the PROV cut into
gold light. She was holding fast to a
stay. She could just see Merida's face
in the starlight, and his eyes were on
her steadily. There had.been q stop In
| speech.
WAS l uncivil when you finished my
line for me that nightY' be asked.
| Rather" Miss Strathmore answered
And you didn't why, l sup
poser
| She admitted that she did not.
"Well." he explained. ats just this;
l get so sick Of having people go on the
basis that all men down here are
devils of fellows. Don Juans and all
that. We get so deucedly much Of it
She reminded him that he had laid
himself open to It. l.,
| Il know L did, but one doesn't expect
an American or an Ehglishman to
know his poets. If you don't mind my
saying so. l never thought about you
going on" There was pause. "And
don't go in for women and firta
tions," Merida said. II have never
cared for any girl except you"
1t was sudden certainly, so sudden
that she let go her hold ON the stay
His hand went out to steady her in
stantiy. Then he took II away.
Il suppose you are surprised" hs
said. Il am myself. But it's true"
Il Stpof fhxrn colf h
weathered many experiences, but Il
foundered at this. She did not thinl
Of anything to say.
81 don't want to bother" he told her
land don't expect you to like me yet
but hope you will before long" TheI
he went of to other things. but conver
sation was not q success.
They were at anchor OF Mazatlan thu
next day, some two miles beyond ths
bar. Merida put In his appearance a
breakfast in shore clothes.
I'm going to land" he told Mis-.
Strathmore. If the captain will have I
boat whistled for me-"
Its rough" she tried to suggest
II know it is," he answered. levelin,
his eyes straight on her for the benefi
Of all who might choose to see. SO tha
she flushed very pink. .If it were not
should ask you and your mother t,
go too" They had done 1t at Acapulc,
and ManZanillo before.
II will not CO." observed the Chilean
ut Is too dangerous"
Merida caught Miss Strathmore'
glance of contempt andnearly smiled
Toward the middle OF. the morning
rowboat whose owners were coura
geous responded to hesignals and ven
tured out to the ship. Merida wen
down the Jacobs ladder. The captaiI
watched him.
You'll come to grief. Matcho, II yol
don't watch out. See that your mel
aren't tequila drunk when you star
back. It's pretty bad now, but it'll b
rolling like fun then. We hist ancho
al B." he added warningly.
Merida watched his chance to jumr
He caught 1t expertly, and the boa
. pulled away.
! 1t was = O'Clock when 1t reappearet
. coming slowly. hidden In a hollow
climbing a crest. hung about throug
the frothing bar. Miss Strathmore an
, the captain and good many other
) were watching 1t. Miss Strathmor
had been shooting at driftwOod and q
, big turtle that was floating on II
, back in the sun. The captain had bee
| watching her. The turtle was shift
ing aud difficult mark. but she had hl
, | II three times. and then boat had pu
| out To bring Il Ia.
, Wen have turtle steaks tomorrow.
said the captain. You're pretty goo