CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1903-08-20

man, Suddenly the mans frame stiff
fened, and he stood bolt upright. lis
tening. A womau's laugh had sounded
at the foot of the companionway. 1t
was followed by patter of feet on the
loaded stair, and a moment later Miss
Armstrong, attended by De Montpar
nasse, stepped on deck.
As the pair seated themselves on the
weather side of the skylight Miss Arm
strong was struck with the expression
on Hawkins face. His forehead wore
a scowl and his dark eyes shone with
an angry light in Ill accord with his
usual good natured appearance. II
looked so unlike the smiling fellow who
puttered about the poop ull day and in
his capacity waited upon her with
such uncommon care and th u-htfui-
ness that she found herself specra ing
about the man fr the tirst ,l;lr
Though in her natural kind way she
had often bestowed a word - cncour
agement or praise upon the ''po stow
away" as she called him. she had nev.
er given him a thought In any other
way. and. indeed. why should shei
The average woman never sees ma,
who Is poorly dressed YA now. for
some unaccountable rea son. she sud
denly found herself wondering what
the fellows past had been. Under
oover OF the darkness she looked at
him closely. What a strong facet
she thought. "But for the black stub
BILE on his upper lip and chin he might
be a handsome man" As Hawkins
raised his eyes from the compass card
and looked toward the skylight with
half blinded eyes she gave little
start.
what is the matter. Miss Arm
strong?" asked her companion In his
own tongue. Are you afraidT
Don't you think It's rather chilly
sitting here? Shall we walk a littier'
she replied evasively.
At one bell her escort went below.
and Miss Armstrong strolled Idly aft
to lean over the taffrail and gaze at
the sparkling wake. As she watched
the murmuring eddies slip from the
rudder and go swirling away to the
black water astern she kept repeating
to herself. Where have ! seen those
eyes beforer
She was disturbed presently by the
appearance of shark under the coun-
ter Of the vessel. A faint. ghostly light
far down beneath the keel was the
hrst intimation of its coming. gradual
ly growing larger and more bright as II
neared the surface until the outlines Of
the great fish could be plainly seen.
and the phosphorescent halo round II
illumined the Dunbarton's stern. I'm
PEELED by curiosity. not unmixed with
fear. the girl stretched farther across
the top rail to watch the movements of
this phantom scavenger of the sea.
On a sudden her foot slipped on the
dewy deck. She pitched forward. lost
her balance and had gone headlong
overheard but for the man at the
wheel Before she wholly realized her
danger Hawkins caught her about the
waist and. lifting her bodily. placed
her on her feet again. For a moment
the great fellow held her and looked
down at her frightened face.
"You little fool.' he said at last
Then. deftly catching the twirIing
wheel he returned to his post. white
to the lips.
At the stowaway's words the rush Of
mingled emotions that rose in Beatrice
Armstrong; mind was checked by In
dignation. How dare this common
man call her little foolT' Humiliat-
Ing as her position was. she yet drew
herself up proudly and without look
ing at him said. ~ will see that you
are rewarded for this. Mr.. Hawkins"
upon which she swept haughtily past
him and descended the companion
way.
The stowaway smiled.
The episode had taken place 90 rap
Idly and with SO little noise that the
second mate knew nothing about 1t. A
few minutes later. however. noticing
that the weather leeches were lifting
and thinking 1t caused by a change of
wind, he ran aft to the compass He
found Hawkins staring fxedIy at the
card and the vessel three points on her
course.
"Where are you steering tor" he be-
gan. "Hard up. you sodierp' And a
stream of abuse followed.
Hawkins nwoke as from dream
and, muttering an incoherent excuse.
Jammed the wheel over.
Hardly had the officer returned for
ward before the stowaway heard
rustic OF drapery. and Miss Armstrong
again stood beside him. She had re-
pented The proud girls better nature
had asserted itself. She saw how she
had wronged him and with a noble
spirit had hastened back to humble
herself to the man to whom she doubt.
less owed her life.
"Hawkins." she snid In a grave.
sweet voice. II have come to apologize
to you for my rudeness. You must, I
am sure. think me very ungrateful. but
! am not. was angry at nothing.
and want you to forgive me. and |
want to thank you for saving me from
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