Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
CHAPTER NH.
AN OCEAN CRUISE.

/ AN l)NsEAIS 1RO
Mr.. Kent seated himself with Mr..
Haven and Mr.. Pence in comfortable
chairs on the starboard side of the
yacht. A few fcecy clouds drifted
overhead. The sun was warm enough
to temper the air from the ocean.
| There was just enough breeze to
ripple the swells.
This is not at all bad" said Mr..
Kent, as he stretched out his legs
| and laziy smoked cigar. 81 have
been thinking for years of taking a
vacation, and now am taking it,"
He looked at his watch
Its five minutes of ten" he said.
looking at Mr.. Haven. 81 wonder it
they lave missed us yet. There will
be some fun on the Stock Exchange
when the news comes out
''If ! had sold sugar yesterday as
you did," said Mr.. Haven. with some
acridity. 81 might look at this mat
ter in the calm and philosophical way
in which you do. You know you sold
sugar yesterday, Kent"
Il generally know what / sell and
when I sell it, said the non-com-
initial Mr.. Kent. Il would like to
have 4 lot of it sold right now. Six
abducted millionaires is not strong
bull argument"
Just think of where money on call
loans will go to-" sighed Mr.. Pence.
81 wish had remained at home. Oh,
why did make this fool voyage?"
''You certainly are in bad luck,
Brother Pence" said the sympathetic
Mr.. Kent. ",rhey could use that four
millions of yours to-day before the
session is closed. 1 suppose money
will go to 100 or 200 per cent. The
boys will fight to get it,
Early in the forenoon Mr.. Morton
found Hestor and asked for q private
conversation in his stateroon. The
request was readily granted.
Mr., Hestor," said the big finan-
cier, after rather awkward pause,
you must be aware that your guests
are men whose time is very valuable,
and whose interests will be imperiled
| by their continued absence. You
know that we wish to return. Thus
far you have refused to comply with
our request. Is there no way in
which we can compromise the mat
ter?"
Il know of none which will not dis
arrange my plans" said Hestor.
"You are all having good time.
What more can do for you?"
Il will come to the point at once"
said Mr.. Morton. II am authorized
by the gentlemen on this boat to
offer you S5.0OO,0O0 for our immediate
return to New York harbor.'
Il could not think of it, said Hes
tor promptly, as if declining an or
binary business proposition. 81 have
more money now than | know what
to do with. That is why l went into
newspaper reporting. No money
could tempt me, Mr.. Morton. Let
us drop the subject and go on deck.
1t is too fine day to remain below"
Mr.. Morton realized that he had
failed, and that there was absolutely
no hope in that direction. He said
nothing to his associates of his lack
of success, but waited for a chance
to speak to Capt. Waters. 1t was
late in the afternoon before he had
an opportunity to make any PROPOSE
ton to that official Hestor was on
the upper deck. Capt. Waters en-
tered the saloon, which at that mo-
ment was occupied only by Mr.. Nor
ton and Mr.. Rockwell. AS the cap
tain entered the room, the latter, at
signal from Mr.. Morton, discreetly
retired. Capt. Waters stood for a
moment at the center table and idly
turned over the leaves of maya
zine. Mr.. Morton advanced to the
table.
eve are favored with beautiful
weather, Capt. Waters" said Mr..
Morton.
''Good cruising weather. re-
sponded the captain as he turned
and started for the companion way.
Mr. Norton placed himself squarely
in front of him.
Capt. Waters, / wish to have a
few words with you in private"
''Not with me, sir" said Capt Wa
ters. He stopped for an instant
with one foot on the stair. He
looked Mr.. Morton full in the eyes.
81 talk in private only with Mr.. Hes
tor" he said.
Mr.. Morton laid his hand on the
| officers arm. He was not accus-
toned to have his requests refused
or his offers repulsed. For a moment
he seemed to study the stern face
| of the official.
Capt Waters" he said in a low
distinct voice, do you wish to make
million dollars?"
mo, sir"
The heavy jaws came together with
a snap which was more eloquent in
its decision than any studied refusal
| He disengaged his arm and strobe up
the companion way.
Keep her off point" he said to
| the wheelsman.
Mr.. Morton slowly paced the saloon
with his hands behind his back and
his head bent forward, as in deep
contemplation. In short time Mr..
Rockwell returned. He gave Mr.. Nor