The Red Cloud chief., 1906-01-12
&c JNTlSUED.)

'''N 'NiiNall'tl WI. NIdlIlln =
warming" she said. You haven't in
vented this astonishing story just to
entertain me, Mr.. LestcrI"
"On my word, no." | re 'ponded a lit
lie bitterly. Il only wish / had!'
There she said contritely. ~
should 1t have doubted. Forgive me,
Mr.. Lester. Only 1t seemed so fantas-
tic. so improbable"-
1T is fantastic" I assented, but, un-
fortunately, 1t Is true. We must keep
an eye on NJ. Martigny, or Bethune."
(Which Is his real name?"
Those are the only ones | know,
tut | doubt IL either is the true one"
Royce and Mrs. Kendall Joined us
a moment later, and we sat watching
the low, distant Long Island shore I'M
til the gong summoned us to lunch.
A word to the steward had secured us
one Of the small tables In an alcove ut
the side. Our first meal at sea was
a merry one, Mr.. Royce seeming In
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 uncalled for.
II was quite possible, l told myself,
that ! had been making a bogy Of my
own imaginings. The Frenchman did
not appear in the saloon, and after
ward an inquiry Of the ships doctor
developed the fact that he was seri-
Ously i'll and quite unable to leave his
stateroom.
l 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 a 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 |.
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 sick" he protest
ed, laughing.
1T wasn't about myself | wanted to
talk" | said. "How's your other pa
tient, the one who came aboard last?"
His face SObered in an instant.
.kInpti,r,y ic biS no ma ~ no sniI Sand
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"
ITS IA disease Of the hcart?'
"Yes, far advanced. lie cant get
well, of course, but he may live OH
Indefinitely. If he's careful"
Hes still confined to his bed!'
"Oh. yes. He won't leave it during
the voyage if he takes my advice. He's
got 70 give his heart just as little work
as possible or it'll throw up the job al
together"
turned the talk to other things,
md in Il few moments he went on
along his rounds. But | was not long
alone. for / saw Miss Kendall coming
toward ne.
$50 nal de mer has laid it's hand OIL
YOU. TOO. Mr.. Lester!" she cried.
'Ouly a finger" | said. But Il finge
Is enough. Won't you take pity on
poor landsman and talk to him?"
"But that's reversing our positions!
she protested, sitting down, neverthe
less, to my great satisfaction. ut wa
you who We're to be the entertainer
Is our Mephisto abroad YETI" she ask
ed in a lower tone.
"Mephisto is still wrestling with hi
heart, which, 1t seems, Is scarcely abb
10 furnish the blood necessary to kecI
him going. The doctor tells me tina
he'll probably spend the voyage abed,
so there'll be nothing for us 10 d
after all! DO you know, l was longin
to become a female I.ecoq."
Perhaps you may still have tn
chance" | said gloomily. II doubt yer.
much whether Mephisto will consen
TO remain inactive"
She clapped her hands and nodded
laughing recognition to Il OF tn
passing promenaders.
you're going to Paris, aren't yOr
Miss Kemball?" l asked.
"To Paris-yes. You too?"
Eve go first to Etretat." / said an
stopped as she leaned, laughing, bac
I'm her chair. why, what's wrong wit
thati" / demanded, IN some astonisl
ment.
Wrong? Oh, nothing, Etretat's
most delightful p~lace-only it recalie