The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-03-22


aer the savage Mexican sun that
fairly bllstered the varnish on her
gpper-work. One other veseel-the
Narcissus-a slender. girlish yacht in
white and gold lav boiling in the brine
a quarter Of mile away toward the
adobe town. 10 breeze came from the
Iandward side lor great. green, noun
tains rose behind San Cristo. and the
aock-bound basin in which the two
crafts rode seemed like some devilish
stew-pan under which the fires Of the
evil one had been kindled.
On the after deck Of the yacht, I'M
aer canopy. sat a girl and beside her
a young officer. whose white duck uni
form bore the insignia OF a lieutenant
Of the revenue marine. Both were
Americans. The officers dark, earnest,
face bore a striking contrast to the
fair complexion Of the girl, who re-
9lined carelessly in a wicker chair
and swung palm leaf fan lazily,
while her blue eyes wandered along.
The crest Of the distant mountains.
Her bare neck and arms showed the
fan Of sea voyage and every curve
of her girlish figure seemed in har-
tnony with the slender lines of the
boat beneath her feet.
So Lieutenant Fallin has found
Dnly one interesting thing at San
Cristo" The girl was speaking.
Yes" the man replied, there is
only one
and what Is that? Is it the Aztec
ruin?"
No he replied simply, 1T is you.
At this compliment the girl showed
40 sign Of surprise or pleasure, and
The other continued And after to-day
you VIII be gone. ! hope our orders
viii come soong She said nothing
and after moment he added, shall
we meet again--I mean soon-do you
thinkg"
'It doesn't seem likely the girl
replied I'VE shall be month in the
Mediterranean-and then London and
a long time on the continent"
Miss Marlini" the officer bent for
ward and spoke earnestly. There Is
something ! must say to you
She stopped him with a gesture.
Not nowl" she said.
When. then?"
AS the natives say 'Manana.
but where will you be tomorrow
The girl only shrugged her shoul-
ders Who knows?"
THAT Is why must speak now" hc
insisted 1T means so much to me
that l can't let you go away without
without telling you"
Mammal" He stopped abruptly
and she turned playful smile upon
him.
You know what / intens to say?"
His dark eyes were growing large with
injured pride and resentment.
How should I?p
But you refuse to hear me"
Il asked you to wait"
THAT Is sufficient" He rose to his
Feet. his face stern with disappoint-
ment. Il had thought. had hoped
but no matter. was mistaken. see
now that | am fool, a miserable
Fool--"
mo, mol" she interrupted, rising.
But you are hasty. Must you go?"
Yes, | am on watch tonight" He
removed his cap and offered his hand
Goodbye"
"Gcnd-bye." She looked at him re-
1roachfully as he stepped quickly to
he rail AS he climbed out upon the
adder there was sudden splash Of
'ars and yavl, manned by a quar-
ette of swarthy natives, half naked
pulled out from under the yachts
tern and hastily made of. Fallin
Ihaded his eyes and scrutinized the
'awl
Black Pedro!n he exclaimed.
Who Is he?" the girl inquired.
A pirate and smuggler. He wasn't
ranging around here for any good.
You'd better have your crew keep a
harp lookout tonight"
Father let the crew go ashore,
he answered.
What all of them?"
Yes"
Then you'd better inform your
ather at once, suggested the lieu
enant, and. lifting his cap, he pulled
way toward the Fillmore.
The moon rose late and its pale
eams found Fallin slowly pacing the
ech aft The cOolness Of the tropic
light had descended like soothing
after the torrid heat Of
he day, but the calmness OF the hour
I'D not suffice to ease the tumult in
be young lieutenant's breast. Some
catered lights marked where San
'risto lay and from time to time
ew lines Of song that Fallin had
Ieard before foated over the water
rom the town. showing that the fiery
dexlcan liquor was working upon the
pirits Of the Yankee sailors:
We scrubbed the deck
We scrubbed the deck
We scrubbed the deck
Did we.
ind never a deck was scrubbed before
axe the deck Of the Nancy Lee.
In spite Of himself. Fallin dwelt
non the events OF the Afternoon. In