Evening star., 1907-08-28
XIV.
Pursued.

Mrs. Randolph had come on deck again,
clad in cool blue linen. that was wonder
fully becoming. She carried her yachting
cap in her hand. and the breeze blew her
brown hair about her eyes. Behind her,
head and shoulders emerging from below
came the nut-brown maid In summery
white. Jack Benson regarded the white
vision hungrily.
Having called my attention to the pur-
suing tug and it's signals Capt. Quinby
waited for me to speak. I was sure the tug
meant to overhaul US before we got out to
sea. and that on her decks was not only
the officer who had failed to find me at the
house in 5th avenue. but Courtney Lane as
we'll Lanes daring and persistence
amazed and angered me.
I answered Capt. Qu,nby's question by re-
questing the use of the marine glasses he
carried In his hand. Then I scanned the
deck of the tug, which lay low in the water
like a great turtle. The smoke from her
funnel obscured her deck, but l saw a
group OF three men, one of whom 1 was
sure Lane.
Benson" / said quietly. "see II you can
get the women to go below.
He hesitated. glancing at the girl in
white. who had emerged full length above
the companion-way.
AT least, l added desperately, draw
| their attention from that tug
But the mischief was done; they had al
ready seen the tug.
why. 1t seems to be following u.s." I
heard Miss Hansborough say in tone Of
surprise.
had not answered the captain.
Ahead a full speed" ordered.
He stared.
Not going to answer their signal?
NO" My tone was sharp Il shall ig-
more them. Ahead at full speed"
Benson was standing in awkward uncer-
tainty his hands in the pockets OF his gray
flannel outing coat. His face looked trou-
bled. He had not started toward the
women 1 moved toward them myself
now.
Why is that tug following us?" Mrs
1 took her arm and walked with her to-
ward the rail.
You recall that letter you saw me read
lng?' I said. Il didn't show It to you. but
will later. There is man in New York
who has threatened to arrest me. He has
chartered that tug am sure. and is trying
to overhaul the yacht. 1 don't intend to
let him
She looked straight into my eyes, star
tied, and her face paled. A strand of hair
blew into her face and she brushed 1t away
You sure?" she said. If dazed.
quite sure
But l don't understand it: don't
II will explain 1t later. Just now l in
tend not to be taken. You are willing to
trust me a little?''
answered her words were all that 1 could
desire.
Trust you. Julian? 1 would trust you
with my life
Yet 1t seemed lip-service: she still looked
startled and doubtful. and she had grown
very pale AS for myself, 1 was filed with
self-contempt, yet was desperately resolved
to have my way.
1 laughed to dispel her fears. and saw
that my manner and that false laugh
alarmed her. She looked at steadily.
and pushed back the hair that the persist
ent wind tumbled into her eyes. Then she
stared at the tug.
Kitty" l said, using the tone of en-
dearment. 'all L ask is that for a little
while you will trust me. l know just what
I am doing 1 am not crazy nor In danger
| of it. But 1 don't intend that tug shall
overhaul the Idler If / can help it."
Benson had Joined Miss Hansborough. for
which l thanked him. and was saying some
thing to her in low tones The captain had
gone away to jangle signals to the engine
| room. The yachts funnel began to pour
out a cloud of smoke as dense that from
the tug. and she was already increasing
| her speed.
| 1 studied the face Of Mrs. Randolph while
| she looked at the tug. 1t was troubled and
! uncertain. At length she turned to me.
IF only l understood the situation bet
| teri"
1T is Courtney Lane" I confessed You
saw the interview I gave to the Mirror. l
know he has been swinding you. and said
| it. and this is how he hits back He sent
| an officer to the house while Jerome was
| there. it is his intention to have me thrown
into sanitarium as a madman or placed
under arrest as an impoStor. l don't in
tend to give him the opportunity"
She clutched the rail with a spasmodic
grip. l laid my hand gently on her
shoulder; and flame of love and tender
ness ran through me l felt its warmth
| through the cool-looking blue linen, and
saw the rounded throat and the sudden
heaving of her bosom.
Julian. you are mistaken she said.
Look at me-, l urged.
She looked-her blue eyes big and bright.
| The pallor was leaving her face and hectic
spots gIowed in her cheeks
DO l look like madman? l am as
| sane as you are; as sane Miss Hans
| borough or Jack Benson. l know what
I know. 1t startles you, yet 1t Is true. II
| that tug overhauls US you will know also
that it is true. / can defeat Courtney
Lane. and fully expect and intend to. But
| now l should be placed at such d sad
| vantage that my case might be rendered
| hopeless. l am not at present ready, and
| he is trying to take advantage of my un-
! readiness. A week from now even to-
| morrow. perhaps. shall be ready for what
| ever he attempts: and then l shall defy
| him and overwhelm him
We were we'll down toward Staten Island
and were already beginning to feel the
swell of the more open water beyond. The
breeze had quickened and was cool and
Salt Inc piunSnS yacht cut INTO the
waves and threw up a spray that gLttered
in the light of the dying sun.
l studied the face of the woman who
stood troubled and perplexed beside me-
She steadied herself. clnging to the rail
as the Ider rolled under u.s. and returned
my look with much composure as she
could command.
Il think you must be mistaken. Julian"
| she insisted, with pathetic gentien ess.
| That tug may not be following us at all,
| but if it is it must be because of some
| customs regulation we have violated. Still,
| II you do not wish it to overhaul US 1t Is
not for to say that it SHALL
| AS she looked again at the tug she saw a
| rocket signal.
| 81 think l will speak to the captain"
| Il have no objection to that" l said but
| l have aready told him we are not to lie
| to for the tug. and that it is not to be per-
| mitted to approach US. He is obeying my
| orders
! l pointed to the vomiting smoke of our
| funnel. which lay now in thick smudge
| behind US on the water.
! Il think Id like to speak with him." she
| urged.
| He was at the port ral aft: and leaving
me abruptly she went toward him, the wind
| whipping her blue skirts about her and tug
! ging at her hair.
! Having talked with the captain. while
! watched them furtively and at the same