The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-09-22
CHAPTER XIII.


Had an acute but uninitiated observer
been introduced into the little cabin Of
the Argo during the consumption of the
delicate repast provided BY her officers.
he or she could scarcely have failed to no.
tice a certain recklessness among the par
ty assembled. Admiral Grace was the
only one who really did justice to the
stewards maiden and supreme effort, and
he, in consequence, was singular In fall
ing to appreciate the witticisms of Mat
thew Mark Easton and Oswin Grace. This
was, perhaps, owing to the fact that when
we have passed the halfway milestone In
life. we fail to appreciate the most bril-
liant conversation. 1t Is just possible
| that Admiral Grace did not think very
much Of the wit-taken as wit pure and
| simple. His position was not unique.
Once or twice Easton's words required
to Miss Winter: II intend to be intense-
ly funny, and guess you will have to
laugh" This was her cue, and she acted
| upon It.
The meal came to an end and a move
was made. There was nothing else to do
but to 60 on deck. The moments dwin-
died on with the slow, dragging monotony
which makes US almost impatient to see
the last Of faces which we shall perhaps
never look upon again. Presently, the
town of Gravesend hove in sight, and all
on the quarterback Of the Argo gazed At
1t as they might have gazed on some IN
known Eastern city after traversing the
desert. And then, after all-all the wait
Ing, the preparation, the counting Of mo
ments, and the calculating Of distances
| haI1 IN, H.. nntr a
surprise. There was something startling
In the clang Of gong as the engineer re-
piled.
Helen was the last to rise. She stoot
holding the shawl which Oswin hat
spread over her knees, and looked round
with a strange, intense gaze. The steam
er was now drifting slowly on the tid'
with resting engines. There were tive
boats rowing toward her from Gravesent
Pier, one a low, green-painted wherry fo1
the pilot, the other a larger boat, will
stained and faded red cushions. Tn,
scene-the torpid, yellow river, the sor
did town and low riverside warehouses
could scarce have been exceeded for pure
unvarnished dismalness.
Already the steps were being lowered
In few moments the larger boat swun
alongside, held by rope made fast II
the forecastle of the Argo. A genera
move was made toward the rail. Tyar
passed out on the gangway, where b
stood waiting to hand the ladies into tn
boat. Helen was near to her brother
she turned to him and kissed him In 81
lence. Then she went to the gangway
There was a little pause, and for a me
ment Helen and Tyars were left alone q
the foot Of the brass-bound steps.
"Good-by," said Tyars.
There was a slight prolongation of tn
last syllable, as II he had something els
to say; but he never said 1t, althoug
she gave him time.
"Good-by," she answered, at length
and she, too, seemed to have somethin
to add which was never added.
Then she stepped lightly into the boa
and took her place on the faded re
cushions.
The Argo went to sea that night. Their
was much to do, although everythin
seemed to be in its place, and every ma
appeared to know his duty. 1t thus ha,
pened that Tyars and Grace had not
moment to themselves until we'll on In,
the night. The watch was set at
o'clock. For Q moment Tyars paused b
fore leaving his chief officer alone on Il
little bridge.
!, What a clever fellow Easton isw I
. said. II never recognized 1t until tn
afternoon"
I Ito be continued.)