Evening star., 1907-11-09
THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS
By LOUIS TRACY,
Author Of "The Wings Of the Morning." Etc
By
Bv LOUIS TRACY,
Author Of 1.-THE Wings Of the Morning" Etc.

lips. They all thought she possessed
Courtenays confidence in the same eX-
thaordinary degree. Well. she would try
to impart consolation In that way Ii was
ridiculous. but 1t would serve.
'Of course we are in a desperate situa-
ton she said. but while the ship holds
together there Is always a chance of res
cue. and you can see quite clearly that
she is far from breaking up yet.
Rescue! Did he speak of rescue?' -
cried Isobel. That is impossible. unless
we take to the boats. And the cry in the
saloon was that two boats were lost long
ago and a third just now; That is why
we were brought on deck. Were they
launching boat?"
II don't know" said Elsie. IT was here
quite alone. except for Joey.
'Ah. it was true then. He was acting
secretly, and the men broke loose as soon
as they heard of it
Elsie found this recurring suspicion of
Courtenay's motives harder to bear than
the preceding paroxySm of unreasonlng
rage. She had heard the shooting. bel
lowing and tramping on deck, and she
knew that some terrible scene was being
enacted there, while the mere fact that
the captain himself placed the female pas
sengers in his cabin proved that he was
doing his best for all
IT do not believe for one instant that
Capt. Courtenay was acting otherwise
than as a brave and honorable gentle
man she said and then the fantastic
folly of such dispute at such moment
over me her. She drew apart from Iso-
bel. leaned against the wall of the cabin
and wept unrestrainedly.
Her companions in misfortune did not
realize how greatly her calm self-reliance
had comforted them until they witnessed
this unlooked-for collapse. The Spanish
maid slipped TO her knees, Mrs. Somer-
Vile began to rock in her chair in a new
agony and Isobel to whom turbulent
spirit denied the relief of tears when they
were most needed. buried her face in
curtain which draped one of the windows
1t was thus that Courtenay found them,
when he appeared at the door alter a
lapse Of time which none of them could
measure.
Now. Miss Maxwell. you first" he said
with air of authority which betokened
some new move of utmost Importance.
"F1rst-for what?' she managed to ask
You are going off in boat. 1t is your
best chance. Please be quick
mo. Miss Barring goes before me. Then
the others. 1 shall come last.
Have It as you will l addressed you
because you were nearest the door. Come
along Miss Barring"
He waited for no further words. He
grasped Isobers arm and led her out into
the darkness. II seemed to be A very
long time before he returned
Now, Mrs. Somerville.' he said. but
that unhappy lady was so unnerved that
he had to carry her.
IAN you manage 10 Drlng lne Illald!
he asked over his shoulder to Elsie. This
trust in her drove away the weakness
which had conquered her under 1sobel's s
taunts She stopped over the maid but
the girl wrestled and fought with her in
frantic dread of the passage along the
deck and of facing that bowling sea in a
small boat.
Elsie herself was almost worn out when
Courtenay came back. He took in the
situation at a glance. He picked up the
cbrio In in
You won't mind waiting for me-" he
said to Elsie. Don't attempt to come
alone. You are too exhausted
It was a fine thing to do. but she smiled
at him to show that she could still repay
his confidence.
Il shall wait" she said simply.
So she was left there. all alone again,
without even the dog to bear her COM
pany.
CTo be Continued Tomorrow