Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-25
THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS
BY LOUIS TRACY,
Author of 1.-THE Wings of the Morning." Etc.
y dwa J..
.By LOUIS TRACY,
Author of "The Wings of the Morning." Etc
tcopyrtxht. teos, sy Edward J. C,ede)

of exchange. You are the captain. and a.
very serious sort of captain at times. l
feel like little girl when you look at me
and tell me not to be naughty. So Elsie
sounds all right. but 1 simply dare not
call you Arthur Just imagine what
sensation it would create in the saloon. 1
should feel creepy all over. And hadn't
we better be-
Elsie said he. with a tender note in
his voice which thrilled her like chord
of exquisite music, II want to tell you
something. The knowledge is forced on
me that there is another man on this ship
VINO wishes to make you his wife. But l.
too love you, and l see no reason why l
should stand aside for any man on Gods
earth until you tell me with your own
lips that you prefer him to me-
OH sasped Elsie, and Obi" again,
but not another word could she utter, she
who had been SO voluble moment ago.
The bitter-sweet pain of hearing this sud-
den avowal was almpst overpowering.
Her ideals of honor and truth were
shocked: but she was woman as well as
An idealist, and she was stirred to the
depths of her soul by the knowledge that
she had won the man whose love she
craved. Yet it must not be-she could
never again hold her head high if she
yielded to him. She must relinquish him.
drive him away from her by an assumed
GOODNESS which would wiring her very
heartstrings. If he came nearer. if he
unable to resist him. Her impulse
was to fly, to lock herself in her
room. But she could not drop the
wounded dog on the deck, and joey. sat
isffed by his masters presence. Struggled
up close to her breast and made the most
of his comfortable quarters. And now,
while Courtenay stroked Joey with one
hand, he placed the other on Elsie's
shoulder What plight for a frightened
maid who wished to escape! OF course.
because she wished that some one would
come to her help, the deck was practical
ly deserted. Certainly, Mr.. Boyle did APP
pear at the after end of the corridor; but
he seemed to remember something strong
and urgent which the crew ought to hear,
and he turned back.
And here was Courtenay speaking
again, speaking in the slow and definite
way of man who was determined that
there should be no lingering doubt as to
his meaning.
II want you to listen to me. Elsie" he
said with passionate intensity that
stilled the rising storm in her bosom.
DIR. Christobal may have pleaded his
own cause already. 1t is not for me to
cavil at him for doing that. But cannot
lose you without a word. Whether you
marry him or me, or neither of US, l
shall love you for ever. 1 want you to
know that. 1t is no new discovery to me-
l think my heart went out to you when 1
carried you in my arms through the gale,
ana since CIdC HOur you ana L nave laQ
experiences denied to most men and
women ere they reach the conclusion that
they are fit mates for the voyage of life.
Do you feel that, sweetheart? Have we
known each other ten days or ten years?"
His face was very near to hers now
His arm had encroached so far that it
was around her neck. 1t was quite dark
where they stood in the shadow of the
bridge. He could not see the tears in her
eyes, but he heard her broken answer:
f.,-
words to me?'
Fair, Elsie! Fair to whom?''
''Because-oh, how can I tell you? Are
you free toto speak to me in this way?"
Elsie. am pledged to no other woman,
II that is what You mean. Who has been
telling you otherwise?"
mo one. Indeed indeed, I alone am to
blame. You will be angry with me, but l
could not help it.
She could say no more If she had ut
tered another syllable just then she would
have broken down completely. Joey did
not seem to need any further fondling;
hence, having hand at liberty, SO to
speak, Courtenay placed 1t under her chin
and lifted her unresisting lips to his He
kissed her twice and laughed softly. with
a glad confidence that sent wave of de-
light coursing through Elsie's veins.
Sweetheart he whispered, Il am sure
you would not have allowed me to speak
so plainly If you were going to send me
away. INOW, uOH want you D1nQ
yourself irrevocably tonight. That would
certainly not be fair. 1 don't know why
1 am to be angry. or what it was you
couldn't help, and l don't care red cent.
All want to know is this-if the Kansas
brings us both back to the outer world
once more, have 1 as good a chance OF
winning your love as any other man.
But l must tell you. l could not look
you in the face again if you did not hear
1t. When I was left alone in your cabin,
the second time, and the sea came in.
packet of letters fell out of some clothes
which picked up from the floor. There
was one from your sister. I hardly knew
what l was doing, but l saw her name,
'Madge.' and 1 read a few words on the
hale page above her signature
His left arm was now so well established
that his hand touched hep cheek and he
found it wet with tears.
what wild conceit has crept into your
pretty little head?' he cried in amaze,
unconsciously raising his voice some
what. "A letter from my sister! She is
the most straightforward woman breath
ing. 1 assure you. Never a line has she
written to me which could bear any con-
! struction such as seems TO trouble you.
Why. on the contrary. Madge has often