Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-26


woman sat directly across the table from him at
the farewell dinner which Mrs. Markham gave to
or the Ronep Whd sh eve o1 m I no
know 1t was not, indeed, until he seating
himself at the table that he caught his first glimpse
of her; but that first glimpse left him fascinated.
Nor was it her beauty that captivated him, al
though in dark, fragile way she was rarely beau
tful; but rather the strange air of subtle mystery
that seemed to surround her,-an ndefnable hint
of some wistful sorrow that betrayed itself in the
droop of her tender mouth and lay half hidden in
her big dark eyes That it no common grief,
he felt certain for youth-she could not have been
above five and twenty-though it suffers deeply,
retains only rarely the evidence of grief.
&c. shamelessly neglecting the girl at his right:
began to evolve plot with his unknown vis-a-vis
his heroine. The story grew with bewildering
rapdity, and so intent did he become upon it that
it is doubtful he would have listened to the expert
ence that Edmunds recounting had not the
extraordinary interest which she displayed in it
forced him at last to give it his attention.
- 1t was, think the strangest experience that |
have ever encountered, the explorer was saying,
as Wyngate turned toward him; all the more
singular, perhaps, when it is considered that l
not now, nor have | ever BEEN believer in the
supernatural. Yet must admit that for this in
cident l have never been able to find plausible
explanation.
THE vessel was, as think have told you some
where off the west coast of Borneo. 1t was hot,
humid night, such you find only in the South
Seas,-a black night that was filled with red stars
that hung low above us, scorching the air until
every breath one drew was sitting. My cabin
nsufferable taking blanket l made my way
to the hurricane deck, and living upon it there |
sought relief in sleep.
Whether it came to me not, even now can
not say All that know is that sometime later l
man with ague. Distinctly-as distinctly as hear
my own voice now-I had heard a cry for help. 1t
came from the sea off the port quarter some two
points north of our course.
while was still standing there the second officer
passed, and observing the strangeness of my att-
tude stopped and inquired as to its cause. ! told
and fa11 hac
else had heard the cry. He found no one who
had. Moreover, the first officer the bridge the
man at the wheel, and the lookout were all positive
that l must have been dreamng if such a cry
have heard it. To satisfy me, however, the search
light was turned in the direction whence the cry had
seemed to come. 1t showed us nothing but vacant
waste of black, oily waters.
So once more lay down upon my blanket How
long time elapsed while l lay there l cannot say
All can tell you is that again | heard voice cry
with the same curious distinctness Help! For
Gods sake hep!' 1t came from precisely the same
direction as before-of our port bow two
points north of our
This time l sure that l had not been asleep
Hastily made my way to the bridge and explained
to the Captain what had heard and once more the
searchlght swept the seas. 1t showed us only what
we had seen before, black heaving pillows pitching
and tossing aimlessly, and no more. But SO strong
an impression had the cry made upon me, that
alter our course two points to the north To this
the Captain, who inclined to be skeptical, de-
INJURED. was in charge of the expedition, however,
and when despite his rdicule, held to my demands
he was compelled to yield.
For more than an hour steamed on the course
that l had directed without result In vain the
searchght pierced the inky blackness of the night;
in vain eyes swept the black waters about us.
We found no trace of anyone in distress. At last,
however, just as was cursing myself for super
stltious fool, and preparing to order to
former course, the voice of the lookout rang
above the heavy pounding of the engines
{" Boat ahoy!' he called.
ha11p +ta