The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-06-13

DoarQ IudC uG WOulQ U11uS 4V,oO0 AhSAA
to establish his claim by force. His
intense desire to fight for her then
and there was quelled by Captain
Perry's detachment Of six lusty sail
ors, whose big bare fists were shaken
vigorously under few startled noses.
It took all the fight out of the sheik
and MS train. Three retainers fell in
to the sea while trying to retreat as
far as possible from danger.
Mohammed departed with the irate
declaration that be would come an
other day and that the whole world
would tremble at his approach. Dis
gusted with himself and afraid to
meet the eyes of the other men, Brew
ster went below in search Of Peggy.
He took time to- comfort the anxious
women who crowded about him and
then asked for Miss Gray. She was
in her stateroom and would not come
forth. When he knocked at the door
dismal, troubled VOICE from within
told him to go away.
"Come out, Peggy; it's all over" ne
called.
..Please go away, Monty" she said.
ssWhat are. you doing in there?
There was a long pause, and then
came the pitiful little wall, II am un-
packing, please, Sir"
That night Brewster entertained on
board the yacht, several resident
French and English acquaintance be-
ing the guests of honor The story Of
the day was told by Mrs. Dan De-.
Mile, commissioned especially for the
duty. She painted the scenejso vividly
that the guests laughed with joy over
the discontinue Of the sheik. Peggy
and Brewster found themselves look
ing sheepishly at one another now and
then in the course Of the recital. She
purposely had avoided him during the
evening, but she had gamely endured
the raillery that came from the rest OF
the party. If she was bit pale it was
not surprising. Now. that it was over
tie whole affair appalled, her more
than she could have suspected. When
several Of the guests Of the evening
soberly announced that Mohammed
was q dangerous man and even an OBJ
iect of worry to the government she
felt strange catch in her throat, and
her now mirthless eyes turned instinc-
lively to Brewster, who, it seemed,
was the sheik's special object of aver
sion.
The next day she and Monty talked 1t
over. The penitence Of both was beau
tiful to behold. Each denied the other
the privilege Of assuming all the blame.
and both were so happy that Moham-
med was little more than a proposition
in their conversation so far as promi-
nence was concerned. But all day
long the harbor was full Of fisher boats.
and at nightfall they still were lolling
about, sinister, restless, mysterious,
like purposeless buzzards; And the
dark men on board were taking up
no fish; neither were they minding the
nets that lay dry and folded in the
bottom Of their boats.
Far into the night there was revelry
on board the Filter, more guests hav-
inc come out from the city. The dark
hours before the dawn Of day had ar
rived before they put off for shore, but
the fisher boats still were bobbing
about In the black waters Of the har-
Dor. The lights gradually disappear
ed from the portfolios Of the yacht, and
the tired watch was about to be re-
Heved. Monty Brewster and Peggy re-
NAMED on deck after the guests had
gone over the side Of the vessel. They
were leaning over the rail aft listening
to the iovial voices OF the visitors as
they grew fainter and fainter IN the
distance. The lights Of the town were
few, but they could plainly be seen
from the ofing.
care you tired, Peggy?" asked Brew
ster, with a touch Of tenderness. Some
how Of late he bad often fels strange
desire to take her in his arms, and now
it was strong upon him. She was very
near. and there was dropping weari-
ness in her attitude which seemed to
demand protection.
Il have a. queer feeling that some
thing awful is going to happen tonight,
Monty" she answered, trouble in her
soft voice.
You're nervous; that's ALL" he said,
"and you should 80 to sleep. Good
night Their hands touched in the
darkness, and the thrill that went over
him told a truth Of which he had been
only vaguely conscious. The power Of
it made him exultant. Yet when he
thought Of her and her too quiet affec-
tion for him it left him despondent.
Something bumped against the side
Of the ship. and a grating sound follow
ed. Then came other gentle thuds COM
bined with the soft swish Of water dis
turbed Peggy and Brewster We're or
the point Of going below when their at
tention was caught by these strange
sounds.
"What is it?' she asked as they paus-
ed irreSolutely. He strobe to the rail.