The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-11-08

TON the On.O tOnlgHt r0r-certa1n reu-
'ons. I'll tell you all about it tomor-
ow. l haven't stolen anything, nor
poisoned the crew-really l haven't"
she smiled at them. ard Glenistcr
found it impossible not to smile with
her, though dismayed by her feeble
explanation.
"Well. I'll wake up the steward and
find place for you to co. he said ut
length. you'll have TO double up with
some of the women, though. It's aw-
fully crowded aboard"
She laid a OBTAINING hand on his arm.
He thought he felt her tremble.
mo, no! / don't want you to do
that. They mustn't see me tonight I
know I'm acting strangely and all that,
but it's happened so quickly / haven't
found myself yet I'll tell you tomor-
row, though, really. Don't let any one
see me or it will spoil everything.
Wait till tomorrow, please"
She was very white and spoke with
eager intensity.
"Help you? Why, sure Mixer as
sured the impulsive Dextry. "An', see
here, miss-you take your time on ex-
plantations. We don't care cuss what
you done. Morals amt our long suit.
cause there's never q law of God or
man runs north of fifty-three,' as the
poetry man remarked, an he couldn't
have spoke truer if he'd knowed what
he was sayin'. Everybody is privi-
legged to look out his own game up
here. A square deal an no questions
asked"
She looked somewhat doubtful at
this till she caught the heat of Glenis-
ter's gaze. Some boldness of his look
brought home TO her the actual situa-
ton, and stain rose in her cheek. She
noted him more carefully-noted hiss
heavy shoulders and ease of bearing,
an ease and looseness begotten Of per-
feet muscular control. Strength was
equally suggested in his face, she
thought, for he carried marked
young countenance, with thrusting
chin, aggressive thatching brows and
mobile mouth that whispered all the
changes from strength to abandon.
Prominent was a look Of reckless en-
ergy. She considered him handsome
in heavy, virile, perhaps too purely
physical fashion.
You want to stowawayY he asked.
1--WE had right smart experience
in that line" said Dextry, "but 1 never
done 1t by proxy. What's your plan?"
"She will stay here tonight" said
Glenister quickly. You and will go
below. Nobody will see her."
Il can't let you do that" she OBJ
jected. isn't there some place where
I can hde?' But they treasured her
and left.
When they had gone, she crouched
trembling upon her seat for long
time, gazing fixedly before her. I'm
afraid" she whispered. I'm afraid.
What am getting into? Why do men
look so at me? I'm frightened. oh,
I'm sorry l undertook it, At last she
rose YEARLY. The close cabin OPP
pressed her. She felt the need Of fresh
air. So, turning out the lights, she
stepped forth into the night. Figures
doomed near the rail, and she slipped
astern, screening herself behind a life
boat, where the cool breeze famed her
face.
The forms she had seen approached
speaking earnestly. Instead of pass
ing, they stopped abreast of her hiding
place. Then as they began to talk she
saw that her retreat was cut off and
that she must not stir.
What brings her here?" Glenister
was echoing question Of Dextry's.
Bah! What brings them all? What
brought the duchess and Cherry Ma
lotte and all the rest?'
mo, no." said the old man. "She
amt that kind-she's too fine, too deli
cate-too pretty"
That's just it-tOo pretty! Too pretty
to be alone-Or anything except what
she is.'
Dextry growled sourly. "This coun-
try has plumb ruined you, boy. You
think they're all alike-an' / don't |
know but they are-all but this gal.
Seems like she's different, somehow,
but can't tell"
Glenister spoke musingly:
II had an ancestor who buccaneered
among the Indies a long time ago, so
I'm~ told. Sometimes I think I have
his disposition. He comes and whis-
pers things to me In the night. Oh,
he was devil, and I've got his blood |
In me-untamed and hot-I can hear
him saying something now-something
about the spoils of war. Ha, hal |
Maybe he's right. l fought for her to- |
night, Dex-the way he used to fight |
for his sweethearts along the Mexicos. |
She's too beautiful to be good, and |
there's never law of God or man
runs north Of fifty-three.'"
They moved on, his vibrant, cynical |
laughter stabbing the girl till she lean
ed against the yawl for support.
She held herself together while the |
blood beat thickly in her ears, then |
lied to the cabin, hurting herself into
her berth, where she .writhed silently, |
beating the pillow with hands into
which her nails had bitten, staring the |
while into the darkness with dry and |
aching eyes.
CHAPTER III.
CHE awoke to the throb of the
~ engines and, gazing cautiously