Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-09-14

were distributed throughout the apart
ments tenanted by the survivors of the
wreck, two were retained for transit
purposes, and the men shivering in the
entrance passage had no light at all.
Constance took Ends lantern in or
der to discover the whereabouts Of Mr..
Emmett. the first officer, the tray car
ryIng sailor offering to guide her to
him.
When Pyne came back he found
Enid In the dark and mstook her for
Constance.
"They want some more" he cried at
the door.
"SOme more what?" she demanded.
1t was no time for elegant dictiOn.
Her heart jumped each time the sea
sprang at the rock. 1t seemed to be
90 much worse in the dark.
''Water," said he
"Dear me! 1 should have thought
everybody would be fully satisfied in
that respect"
He held up the lantern.
"Well, that's curious" he cried. II
imagined you were the other young
lady. The water Is needed In the hos
pital"
'Why didn't you say so?' she snap
ped, being in reality very angry with
herself for her fiippancy. She gave
him a full pail. and he quilted her.
Constance. having delivered her ia
TIERS message to Mr.. Emmett, was
greeted with n tart question when she
re-entered the kitchen.
'Why on earth didn't you tell me
that young man was attending to the
injured people? Is he doctor?"
III think not What happened"
"He came for second supply Of wa
ter and nearly bit my head off,"
"Oh, Enid! am sure he did not
mean anything. Didn't you recognize
him? 1t was he who climbed the mast
and flung the rope to u.s."
There" said Enid, 1--WE gone and
done it! Honestly, you know, it was
I who was rude. He will think me a
perfect cat"
THAT isn't what people are saying"
explained Mr.. Pyne, whose approach
was deadened by the outer noise.
there's kind Of general idea floating
round that this locality Is an annex of
heaven, with ministering angels in at.
tendance"
In the half light of the tiny lamps he
could not see Ends scarlet face. There
was moments silence, and this very
self possessed youth spoke again.
1.-THE nice things we all have to tell
you will keep" he said. "Would you
mind letting me know in which rooms
you have located the ladiesY'
Constance. as major domo, gave the
information asked for:
"They are in the two bedrooms over.
head. Poor things! I am at my wits
end to know how to get their clothing
dried. You see, Mr.. Pyne. my sister
and have no spare clothes here. We
only came to the rock this afternoon
by the merest chance"
THAT is Just what was troubling
me-" he answered. II am sort Of In.
terested In one Of them"
"Oh," said Constance. II do wish I
could help: but, indeed. my own skirts
are wringing wet"
"From what I can make out, then
my prospective step-aunt will catch q
very bad cold"
The queer phrase puzzled the girls
but Constance, rarely for her, jumped
at conclusion.
"Your prospective step-aunt. You
mean. perhaps. your 6ancee's auntT
she suggested.
II don't know the lady. No, ma'am
was right first time. Mrs. vansittart
n going to marry my uncle. 80 keep
IN eye on her stock to that extent"
"How stupid Of mel" she explained
Xhle q delighted giggle from Enid did
not help to mend matters. So Con-
stance became very stately.
II will ask Mrs. Vansittart to come
out and speak to you she begun.
mo, no! l don't wish that. You
might tell her am all right That is
the limit. And-may I make q sug-
gestion?"
"Pray do"
ut will help considerably If the wom-
en- folk take 1t in turn to get into the
beds or hunks. Then some Of their
linen could be dried at the stove. I
will take charge of that part of the
business II may; otherwise some of
them will die"
The girls agreed that this was cap
ltal idea. Constance went upstairs.
In the first room she inquired:
Els Mrs. Vansittart here"
"Yes." said O sweet'but rather queru.
lous voice.
A lady who had already appropriated
the lower bunk raised herself on an ell
bow.
The little apartment, like every part
Of the building save the rooms reserved
by Brands directions, was packed al.
most to suffocati0n. This, II harmful
in one respect, was beneficial in an
other. The mere animal warmth of so
many human beings was grateful aft
Or the freezing effect Of the gale on
people literally soaked to the skin.
The girl, not unmoved by curiosity,
held the light 30 that 1t illumined Mrs.
Vansittart. A woman of forty, no mat.
tar how good looking and we'll pre-
served abe may be. Is In sorry plight
under such conditions. Constance saw
q beautiful face. deathly white and
haggard, yet animated and clearly
chiseled. The eyes were large and lus-
trous, the mouth firm, the nose and
chin those Of a Greek statue. Just
now there were deep lines across the
base Of the high forehead. The thin
lips, allied to q transient hawklike
CLEAN in the prominent eyes, gave a
monetary glimpse Of q harsh. per-
haps cruel disposition. A charming
smile promptly dispelled this fleeting
impression. Instantly Constance was
aware Of having seen Mrs. vansittart
before. So vivid was the fanclful idea
that she became tongue tied.
DO you want met" asked the stran-
ger, with a new interest and still smil-
ing. Constance found herself wonder
ing II the smile were not cultivated to
hide that family caught suggestion of
the bird Of prey. But the question re-
stored her mental poise.
"Only to say that Mr.. Pyne"- she
began.