The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-10

safe or that they are liable to be nfur-
dered In their hunks and can foresee
voyage unpleasant beyond all record So
i would be much obliged II you would
say nothing at all OF the attack and just
let them think that Miss Hurst fell over
board. Fortunately II was bad night,
and though they may wonder. they Will
not be altogether incredulous."
or course / readily promised. There
was nothing to be gained by inaugurating
reign OF terror. From the captains
manner / was impressed with the belief
that there would not be a repetition Of
the outrage on board the Omeo
In reply TO my inquiry II he had dis
covered any clew to the assailant he
shook his head.
mo. and what makes the outlook 20
hopeless IN Miss Hursts insfsteuce that
her assailant was black. Now. have
made careful investigation. and find
there Is no one on board answering In
the least to her description. Indeed. the
only person with US who Is not white Is
a Chinaman who works In the galley"
"A Chinamanl"
Jim and / uttered the exclamation as
with one breath, and our eyes instinc-
lively sought those OF each other. But
neither spoke. After all. The mere mem
tion OF the word "Chinaman" was enough
TO set us agog. In that way could Miss
Hurst be affected by the Society OF the
Yes" continued tho captain. "but
he's as inoffensive as the rest OF his
race and would never dream o. sSoming
aft. much less OF attacking saloon pas
senger."
InofYensive as the rest OF his race!
Dear. dear. II was an ironical worlds
THE firemenY I suggested. for they
were the only men likely to come UP from
below with black faces.
From certain circumstances to which
the engineer bears unmistakabie witness
1t could not have been one Of his men"
"Then you are at fault somewhatr'
He did not like this. for ne answered
rather sharply: 1T do not claim more
than an ordinary share OF intelligence.
You are sure. of course. that you saw
the man run off?"
1t was a question full OF particular
and not pleasant meaning. but ] put It
down to little natural irritation.
las surely as see you now"
VERY strange" he muttered. I'VE
must probe deeper into this mystery"
When he was gone. Jim turned to me
with an inquiring look.
"Of course. Davie. you retain vivid
impression OF the event?"
my dear Jiml"
"Of course you do. I'm almost as big
fool as the rest OF them. 1t was sug-
gssted last night that women have COM
mitted suicide before today"
$50 I said and stopped the tongues
from wagging, but the affair Is very mys-
terious and the story OF the black man
when there is no such person on board
is puzzling TO the ordinary mind"
BLACK or white or yellow, whatever
he may be. know not but this ! do
know, / saw him with my own eyes"
Then perhaps in the semi-darkness
she mistook his color"
1T was not dark enough for that. No.
no! Let them think what they like.
shall credit her story"
What do you think of this China
| man9"
Naturally my mind at once went TO
| the society. as did yours. But II seems
| impossible How can she In any way
| be connected with it?"
THAT, my dear lad. is just what I
| should like to know. Now, dress your
self and go up on deck and prepare TO re-
ceive compliments. I'm proud OF you.
| Davie."
Thanks. old fellow"
We understood each other, Jim and I.
| passed over the congratulations which
were showored upon me by the passen-
| gers. among whom no one was more de-
monstrative than the rubicund Major
| Coehlan.
| ''The top Of the morning TO you" said
| he TITS a full blown hero I have the
pleasure OF congratulatin'. You've cut
the ground entirely from under me feet.
! and haven't a bare inch OF II TO stand
1 on
| OF course II was very nice for young
| man to hear the pleasant things. but It
4 was none the less embarrassing Judged
| by the calculating light Of cold philoso-
| ply. I had been guilty OF an egregious
| bunder. and I owed more to the officer
on watch than people seemed to imagine.
| But it's all well that ends we'll. and
bore my hushing honors with the best
| grace I could command.
! Fortunately about this time the land
began TO open up. and the thought Of n
/ trip ashore so engrossed the minds OF
my fellow voyagers that I was left In
\ peace.
My anxiety. ! need hardly say, was
centered in the welfare OF Miss Hurst.
/, and / never missed an opportunity OF