The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-09

He was still pondering the matter
whom half an hour later Mrs Lor-
raine's portiy form reappearsd upon
the deck. Instead OF coming toward
him she went To the wheelhouse and
presently ahe bore down upon him, the
light OF virtuoua Indignation firing her
eye.
II perceive that we are still headed
northeast" she said an shc approached.
" must insist that you turn about i'm
medIateiy.p
She was almost sorry that abe would
not have this tractabie young man for
q son.in-Iaw, but her Joy was short
lived, for when the sun not In tho east
II was plain TO be seen that the com.
pass card had been tampercd with and
there was an explosion that proved
more diverting TO the rest OF the party
than 10 Howic or the Lorraines.
II ended In the yachts nose being
swung around, and, with pocket
compass. Mrs Lorraine verified the
course. The rest were sorry that the
trip was 10 be- abandoned; but. full Of
the Joy OF victory. Mrs. Lorraine con-
sldered no one but herself.
II was barely light the next morning
when the sound Of pistol shots were
heard on tho deck. and the party rush
cd up the companionway. Up forward
the crew had gathered and stood, sui.
lon faced. regarding the owner and his
captain AT the appearance Of the
party Howie left the sailing master
and came toward them.
tits all right he explained, There
was a mutiny, and aui afraid that the
men have possession Of tho boat They
have promised not to interfere with
our comfort. and they win land us at
one OF the Bahama group, with enough
provisions TO enable US TO reach Mas.
sau. They Will give US the launch"
For moment Mrs. Lorraine eyed
the crew and seemed on the point OF
going forward to them, but to their
great relief she elected TO have hys-
terics instead and caused diversion
that occupied the entire party until the
still civil steward announced breakfast.
The situation seemed more pleasant
after breakfast. Apart from the fact
that every man In the crew carried q
revolver. ostentatiously displayed, they
went about their work the same as
usual. No detail OF service was lack
Ing. and Jimmy Trovers declared a
mutiny de luxe to be positively novel
and pleasant experience.
Mrs. Lorraine offered the men rapid
~ increasing sums TO put the party
ashore at Palm Beach, but the crew de-
clined TO approach within reach OF the
authorities. and even the good lady's
threat TO have the southern Atlantic
squadron ordered In their pursuit the
moment they reached cable station
did not move them.
They were stubborn, but polite. and
finally even she gave up the cndeavor
and contsnted herself with kghing
loudly from the depths OF deck chair
90 she watched Howie pace the deck.
Howic had his hand In bandage.
explaining lightly that he had barely
been scratched by a bullet In the fight
and Marcia followed him about the
deck with her sympathetic glance.
though II was not until evening that
Aha broke the conversational ice.
Tho full moon was just rising out of
the sea as she came toward the spot
where he was leaning against the rail.
"Does your hand hurt very much~ she
asked, trying to make her voice sound
cold and polite.
.'Not very much" was the Indifferent
answer. "That is the least Of my trou.
bles."
at is very awkward" she conceded,
ito have your boat seized"
II don't care about the boat" he dis
claimed. "They are welcome to the
Irene for all care. She would only
serve to remind me Of you. and ! must
put you out Of my heart II I can"
ado you care so much?" she asked
wonderlngly. You did not seem 10
mind yesterday"
II had some hope yesterday" he de-
eiared. Il realize now that there 10
none"
"'Falnt heart ne'er won fair lady,"
she quoted. He grasped her hand.
.'Do you mean that Marciaf" he do
manded.
"Perhaps Montague is little stilt-
ed." she conceded. 'rrt Is very silly
thing to quarrel over. anyway"
"And you are willing to make up2"
For answer she slipped her hand
within his bandaged member. The
ring finger shone white and bare In
the moonlight She slipped the ring
upon It.
II was very silly girl, Fred she
said penltently, II do not deserve for
giveness."
eve never get our just DESERTS" he
laughed, "and, besides, should not
have poked fun at Montague"
Mrs, Lorraine came up the compan-
ionway just in time to see two heads
close together Marcia saw her first.
"lt's all right, mother" she laughed.
1T was oil mistake"
With a sickening sepse Of defeat, the
elder woman turned and went back to
the cabin. With her hand still In his,