The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-02-23

ION my word, no. responded a lit
tie bitterly II only wish | had?'
.'Therer' she said contritely. Il
shouldn't have doubted. Forgive me,
Mr.. Lester. Only it seemed SO fantas-
tic, so improbable
'Tt is fantastic" assented, 'F5ut, nm
fortunately, 1t is true. We must keep
an eye on NJ Martigny, or Bethune."
(which Is his real Manner ~
'"Those are the only ones know.
but | doubt II either - the true one.
=, Royce and Mrs. Kemball Joined N
a moment later, and we Sat watching
the low, distant Long Island shore I'M
I'll the gong summoned us to lunch
A word to the steward had secured Ne
one of the small tables IN an alcoVe at
the side. Our first meal at sea was
a merry one, Mr.. Royce seeming p
such spirits that was more than ever
determined not to disturb him with the
knowledge of Martigny's presence. !,
As the moments passed my fears
seemed more and more uncahed for.
1t was quite possible, / told myself,
that l had been making bogy OF my
own imagtnings. The, Frenchman did
not hppeari in the saloon, and after
ward an Inquiry of the ships doctor
developer the fact that he was seri7
ously i'll and quite unable to leave his
stateroom. ,.-
may as well confess at once that i
was seasick. 1t came next morning.
ten minutes after had left my BERTH
not a violent sickness, but faintness
and giddiness that made me long for
my berth again, but Mr.. Royce would
not hear of it. He got me out OH deck
and into my chair, with the fresh
breeze; blowing full In my. face. There
was a long line Of chairs drawn up
there, and from the faces OF most OF
their occupants judged they were. far
more miserable than l. !.
After awhile the doctor came down
the line and looked at each of us, stop
ping for a moments chat.
Wont you sit down a minute, doc
tori" asked when he came to me, and
motioned to Mr.. Royce's chair.
why, you're not sickw he protest
ed, laughing.
ut wasn't about myself wanted to
talk" said "Hows your other pa
| tent, the one who came aboard lastT'
His face sobered in an instant.
"Mardgny is his name" he said, land
, he's IN very bad shape. He must have
been desperately anxious to get back
, to France. Why. he might have
!, dropped over dead there on the gang
! plank" z
Tt's a disease of the hearth
YES far advanced. He can't gel
, well, of course, but he may live Oh
, indefinitely, If he's careful"
"He's still confined to his bedr'
I "Oh, yes. He won't leave 1t during
= the voyage If he takes my advice. He's
! got to give his heart Just as little worl
} as possible or It'll throw up the job al
together"
/ | turned the talk to other things
. and in a few moments he went OF
along his rounds. But was not loni
+ alone. for l saw Miss Kendall comm
{ toward me.
: $50 NAL de mer has laid its hand o.
: you. too, Mr.. Lesterr' she cried.
0 '-Only a finger" said. But a fingc
: Is enough. Won't you take pity on
3 poor landsman and talk to himT
r "But that's reversing our positions!
she protested, sitting down, neverth'
l. less, to my great satisfaction. ut wa
: you who were to be the entertainer
Is our Mephisto abroad YETI" she ash
8 ed in lower tone.
: "Mephisto is still wrestling with hi
!. heart, which, 1t seems, is scarcely abb
@ to furnish the blood necessary to kee
him going. The doctor tells me tina
:. he'll probably spend the voyage abed.
81 80 there7l be nothing for US TO d
e after all! Do you know. was longin
( to become female Lec0Qw
Perhaps you may still have tn
:, chance" 1 said gloomily. II doubt yer
l. much whether Mephisto will conser
t to remain inactive"
;" She clapped her hands and nodded
Q laughing recognition to one OF Il
passing promenaders.
u 1Ou gums w OAAHS oA~AS ~
9 Miss KemballT' asked.
.'To Paris--yes. You tooT
eve 20 first to Etretat," said an
l, stopped as she leaned. laughing. bac
d In her chair. why, what's wrong wit
thatT l demanded, In some astonisl
4 ment
"Wrong? Oh, nothing. Etretat's
most delightful place-only 1t recalle
n to me an amusing memory Of how m
Il mother was one day scandalized thei
e by some actresses who were bathing
D But it's hardly the season for Etreta
g The actresses have not yet arrives
q You'll find 1t dull"
VI 1--WE will not stay there long" sal
4 "But tell me about It"
MI "Etretat," said my companion, T"
4 a bohemian resort. 1t has beach
I gravel where people battle all day lon
d When ones tired of bathing there al
Il the cliffs and the downs, and In II
@ evening there's the casino. You kno
II French, Mr.. LesterT
ooh. I know the phrase made II