The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-07-21
Prisoners and Cdptives
BY H. s. MERRlMAN


stances. and he succeeded fairly we'll in
remembering on most occasions that he
was a butler, but his love for all marin
ers was a thing he never fully managed
to conceal. Land-lubbers he tolerated
now, and he liked a soldier, but his hon
est, dog like heart went out to all who
like himself. loved a breeze of wind and
the sweet, keen smell of spray. There
was a bond in mutual love, whether it be
OF dog or horse, of sport or work. OF land
! or sea, and Tyars always felt an irclina-
ton to shake honest John Salter by the
hand when he saw him.
To these feelings of sympathy must be
attributed the fact that Tyars forgot to
inquire whether the admiral were at
home. That some one was to be found
upstairs in the drawing room was obvi-
| GUS enough from Sarter's beaming coun-
tenance but the maritime butler omitted
to give particulars.
Thus it happened that the surprise was
mutual when Tyars and Helen Gracs
found themselves face to face alone in
the drawing room.
She had been seated at a small table
near the window and she rose to receive
him, without, however, moving toward the
door.
He came forward without appearing to
notice slight movement of embarrass-
ment on he part, and shook hands. Most
men would have launched into unneces.
sary explanations respecting his presence,
his motive for coming, and his firm re-
solve to leave again at once. But Claud
1yars occasionally took it upon himself
to ignore the usages of his fellows.
i have much pleasure" he said, with
grave POPULARITY. Tin accepting your kind
invitation to dine on Wednesday week
and | am yours truly, CIaud Tyars."
Helen laughingly expressed her pleas
ure that he was able to come. and return
ed to her chair beside the little table.
She was quite her gentle, contained self
again. The signs of embarrassment, if
such they were. had quite disappeared,
and she asked him to find a chair for
himself with just that modicum of famil-
iarity which one allows ones self toward
the intimate friend of brother or sister.
This he did. frankly bringing a seat near
er to the small table.
IF" he continued, sit will be any sat
isfaction to your hospitable mind, l will
disclose the fact that my friend Easton
is also able to avail himself of your
kindness"
Il am glad" she said. glancing across
at him with those gravely questioning
eyes OF hers. which somehow conjured up
thoughts of olden times, of quieter days
when there was time to think and live
and love. "Mr. Tyars," she continued,
Il have an apology to make to you"
He looked at her without speaking for
some moments. In another man one
would almost have suspected a desire to
prolong the contemplation of a very
lovely, shamed face.
For what?" he said at length.
For disliking you-I mean for BEGIN
ming to dislike you. l don't-I-that
was at first"
Il wonder" he said, with Quick mer-
cy. IF you know why you began by
disliking me-"
Il think I do
He smiled and turned away his eyes
rather suddenly. There was a paner
knife lying on the table, and he took it
up. subsequently balancing it on his fin.
Der, while she watched him with vague
and mechanical interest.
Tell me-" he said.
Jealousy"
"Ah!"
He glanced almost furtively toward
her and caught passing smile. 1t was
now his turn to look i'll at ease. She
maintained silence in a determined way
which somehow threw the onus of the
pause on his shoulders: At last he threw
the paper knife down on the table with q
clatter.
you are right" he said, almost blunt.
~. Il have acted like-a-coward."
And you are not a cowardT'
He raised his eyebrows. The glance
of her eyes as they rested on his great
stalwart frame Cancelled the interroga.
ton.
Il have never thought 80 until now
She shook her bead with rather &
wistful smile.
Then have reason" she said, "te
be jealous. You are dra wing Oswin away
from me?"
Before replying he rose, and durin,
the rest Of their conversation he never
took a seat again, but continued movins
about the room with certain strang,
restlessness which is very uncommon il
big men.
what Is your mission?' she asked.
Again he stopped. He stood before bel
with his strong arms hanging motionless
his great brown hands half closed ant
quite still. as they always were unless
actually at work. He certainly was I
picture Of strength. a perfect specimen
Of the human animal, as he had callet
| himself.
Arctic exploration" he answered. 81
| mean to reach the north pole some day.
It happened that Helen knew a COOK
deal about Arctic matters. The admira
had been bitten by the strange craze il
his younger days. Like many others, b,
had for time given way to the spirit O.
exploration which is hidden somewhere II
every Englishman's heart. Every bool
of Arctic travel yet printed was to b.
found In his smoke-scented den. ant
Helen had read most of them.
She knew, therefore, what the eni
would be. To hear a man say tHat ht
intends to reach the north pole is on<
thing: to know what he is talking abou
and believe in his intention is quite an
other. To Helen Grace the fuller know,
edge was given. and she sat looking al
Claud Tyars with duh anguish in hel
eyes.
1