The Cairo bulletin., 1904-04-01

happy? And, besides, I'm h0ppiest
when I'm alone-I don't want any
one"
But" hesitated Wilbur, zone is not
always alone. After all, you are a
girl ana men, sailor men especially, are
beasts when its question Of wom-
nan unprotected woman"
I'm stronger than most men," said
Moran simply. If you, for instance,
had been like some men | should have
fought you. 1t wouldn't have been
the first time she added. smoothing
one huge braid between her palms.
Wilbur looked at her with intent GU
riosity noted again, as If for the first
time, the rough blue overals thrust
into the shoes; the coarse flannel shirt
open at the throat, the belt with its
sheath knife, her arms big and white
and tattooed in sailor fashion, her
thick. muscular neck; her red face.
with its pale blue eyes and almost
massive jaw, and her hair her heavy,
yellow, fragrant hair, that lay over
her shoulder and breast coiling and
looping in her lap
NO" he said, with long breath, 81
don't make it out. | knew you We're
ont Of my experience, but begin to
think now that you are out of even my
imagination You are right, you should
keep to yourself You should he alone
your mate isn't made vet. You are
splendid just rs you are" While under
his breath he added, his teeth cliuch-
ing, but | love you"
1t was growing late. the stars were
all out. the moon riding high Moran
yawned.
"Matc l think I'll turn in, Wen
have to be at that schooner early in
the morning, and | make no doubt
she'll give us plenty to do" Wilbur
hcsitated to reply, waiting to take his
cue from what next she should say.
ITS hot enough to sleep where we
are" she added, without going aboard
the Bertha, though we might have a
couple of blankets off to lie ON. This
sands us hard as o plank"
Without answering, Wilbur showed
her a couple Of blanket rolls he had
brought off while lie was unloading
part of the stores that afternoon They
took one apiece and spread them on
the sand by the blcachod whales
skull. Moran pulled off her boots and
stretched herself upon her blanket
with absolute unconcern, her hands
claspcd under her head Wilbur rolled
up his coat for a pillow ANA settled
himself for the night with an assumed
self possession. There was long ST.
lence. Moran yawned again,
81 pulled the heel off my boot this
morning she said lazily, "and I've
been limping all day"
Il noticed if, answered Wilbur
"Kitchell had new pair aboard some
where, if they're not spoiled by the
water now"
Yes" she said indifierently. "We'H
look them ZIP in the morning.
Again there was silence.
81 wonder" she began again, star
ing up into the dark, If Charlie took
that frying pan off with him when hc
went"
y don't know. He probably did"
ut was the only thing we had to
cook abaloncs in. Make me think to
look into the galley tomorrow. This
grounds as hard as nails, for all your
blankets. We'll. good night, mate. I'm
going to sleep"
Good night, Moran
Three hours later Wilbur, who had
not closed his eyes, sat up ana looked
at Moran sleeping quietly her head in
Il pale glory of har~lookcd at her and
then around him at the silent, deserted
land.
81 don't know" he said 70 himself
"An right minded man and a thor
oughbred, or Il mushhead or merely Il
prudent, sensible sort Of chap that val
ues his skin and bones? Ia be glad to
put name TO myself" Then more
earnestly lie added. "Do l love her too
much, or not enough, or love her the
wrong way, or hoW| lie leaned TO-
ward her. 50 close that he could catch
the SAVIOR of her breath and the smell
Of her neck, warm with sleep. The
sleeve Of the coarse blue shirt was
drawn up, and II seemed to him as if
her bare arm, flung out at full length,
had some sweet aroma Of its own. VIII
bur drcw softly back.
NO" he said to himself decisiyely;
mo, ! guess am a thoroughbred after
ALL" 1t was only then that lie went to
sleep.
When he awoke, the sea was pink
with the sunrise. and one Of the bay
heads was all distorted and stratihcd
by a mirage. Ii was hot already. Mo
ran was sitting a few PAGES from him,
braIdng her hair
Hello, Moran" he said rousing up.
How long have you been upt'
"Since before SUNRISE" She said.
"I'ye had a bath in the cove where the
creek runs down. saw jack rabbit"
"Sccn anything Of Charlie and the
othcrs?'
They've camped on the other side of
the bay But look yonder," she added
The junk had come in overnight and
was about a mile and a half from
shore.
"rhe deuce! exclaimed Wilbur.