Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-10-22
CHAPTER II.


So this was Boring? She had clothed
it always with the mystery of her
school days. thinking of it as a weep
Ing, fog bound stretch of gray waters.
Instead she saw a fat, sunlit main,
with occasional sea parrots tapping
their fat bodies out of the ships course.
A glistening head popped up from the
waters abreast, and she heard the cry
Of Seal"
Dressing, the girl noted infinitely the
personal articles scattered about the
cabin, striving to derive therefrom
some fresh hint Of the characteristics
of the owners. First, there was an
elaborate copper backed toilet set. all
richly ornamented and leather bound.
The metal was magnificently hand
marked AMI bore Glenister's initial. 1t
spoke of elegant extravaganza and
seemed oddly out Of place in an arctic
miners equipment, as did also small
set Of De Mnupassant.
Next she picked up Kipling's Seven
Seas" marked literally, and felt that
she had struck scent. The roughness
! and brutality of the poems had always
chilled her. though she had felt vague
ly their splendid pulse and swing. This
was the girls first venture from a shell
tered life. She had not rubbed elbows
with the world enough to find that
truth may be rough, unshaven and
CARRIED in homespun. The book con-
tirme6 her analysis of the junior part
ner.
Pendent from a hook was worn
and blackened holster from which
peeped the butt of large Colts re-
| volver, showing evidence of many
years service. 1t spoke mutely Of the
| white haired Dextry, who, before her
inspection was over, knocked ut the
door, and, when she admitted him, ad-
dressed her cautiously:
"The boys down forrad, teasin' grub
out of flunky. He'll be up in min
ute. How'd ye sleepY'
very we'll, thank you," she lied,
explain myself to you"
Now, see here" the old man inter-
jected, there amt no explanations
needed till you feel like glvin' them
up. You was In trouble-thats I'M
fortunate. We help you-that's natu-
raj. No questions asked = that's
Alaska"
| eyes, but l know you must think
"What bothers me,' the other con-
tinued irrelevantly, sis how in blazes
we're goin' to keep you hid. The stew
ards got to make up this room, and
somebody's bound to see us packin
grub In"
II don't care who knows IL they
won't send me back. They wouldn't
do that, would they?" She hung anx-
lousy on his words.
Send you back? Why, don't you
savvy that this boat is bound for
Nome? There amt no turnin' back
on gold stampedes, and this Is the
widest rush the world ever saw. The
captain wouldn't turn back. He
couldn't. His cargo's too precious,
and the company pays $1,000 day
for this ship. No, we amt putin
thousand per- Besides, we passengers
wouldn't let hlm-tlme's too precious"
They were interrupted by the rattle Of
dishes outside, and DeXtry was about
to open the door when his hand waver-
ed uncertainty above the knob, for he
heard the hearty greeting Of the ships
captain.
"Well, we'll. Glenister, where's all
the breakfast golng?"
| ~ no 4lI 10
Cap Stephens"
"Dextry isn't feeling quite up to
form this morning." replied Glenister
easily.
Don't wonder! Why weren't you
aboard sooner last night? ! saw you.
Most got left eh? Served you right If
you had" Then his voice dropped to
the CONFIDENTIAL: "l'd advise you to cut
out those women. Don't misunder-
stand me, boy. but they're bad lot on
this boat. saw you come aboard,
Take my word for It, they're bad lot.
Out EN- out. Guess I'll step inside and
see what's up with Dextry"
The girl shraQk into her corner, gaz-
ing apprehensively at the other lis
tener.
"Well--er-he isn't up yet" they
heard Glenlster stammer. Better
come around later"
"Nonsense It's time he was dress,
ed" The masters voice was gruffiy
good natured "Hello, Dextry! Hey!
Open up for inspection" He ratified
the door.
There was nothing to be done. The
old miner darted an inquiring glance
at his companion, then, at her nod,
slipped the bolt. and the captains blue
bulk filled the room.
His grizzled close bearded face was
genially wrlnkled till he spied the
) erect gray figure in the corner, when
his cap came of involuntarily. There
his courtesy ended, however. and the
smile died coldly from his face. His
eyes narrowed, and the good fellow:
ship fell away leaving him the stiff
and formal officer
".Ah,' he said. rnot feeling well, eh
| thought | had met all of our lady
passengers. Introduce me, De1try."
Dextry squirmed under his cynicism
Notwithstanding catch the name
myself"