The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-08-10


seemed oddly out of place in an arctic
miners equipment as did also a small
set of De Maupassant
Next she picked up Kipling's Seven
Seas" marked literally, and felt that
she had struck a scent The roughness
and brutality of the poems had always
chilled her, though she had felt vague.
~ their splendid pulse and swing This
was tb girls first venture from a shell
tered fe. She had not rubbed elbows
with me world enough to find that
truth may be rough, unshaven and
CARRIED in homespun. The book con-
firmed her analysis of the junior part
ner.
Pendent from hook was a worn
and blackened holster from which
peeped the butt of large Colts re-
volyer, showing evidence of many
years service. 1t spoke mutely of the
white haired Dextry. who. before her
inspection was over, knocked at the
door, and, when she admitted him, adj
dressed her cautiously:
The boys down forrad, teasin' grut
out of a funky. He'll be up in a min
ute How'd We sleep?'
Very well. thank you" she lied,
'but I've been thinking that l ought to
explain myself to you"
Now, see here" the old man inter
jected, there amt no explanations
needed till you feel like givin them
up. You was in trouble-that's I'M
fortunate We help you-thats natu-
raj. No questions asked = that's
Alaska"
Yes. but I know you must think
what bothers me-" the other con-
tinued irrelevantly, "is how in bIazes
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"
Il don't care who knows If they
won't send me back. They wouldn't
do that, would they?" She hung anx-
iOusiy 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 a day
for this ship. No, we amt putin
| back to unload no stowaways at FIVE
! thousand per. Besides, we passengers
wouldn't let him-time's too precious"
| They We're 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.
"Wel, well, Glenister, where's all
the breakfast going?"
"Oo," whispered the old man, that's
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? l saw you
Most got left. Ell? Served you right If
you had Then his voice dropped to
the confidential: I'D advise you to cut
out those women. Don't misunder-
stand me, boy, but they're bad lot on
this boat. l saw you come aboard
Take my word for it, they're a bad lot
Cut 'em out Guess I'll step inside and
see what's up with Dextry"
The girl shrank into her corner, gaz-
ing apprehensively at the other lis
tener.
'Well-er-he isn't up yet" they
heard Glenister stammer. Better
come around later
Nonsense! It's time he was dress
ed" The masters voice was gruf1y
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 filed the room.
His grizzled close bearded face was
genially wrinkled till he spied the
erect gray figure in the corner, when
his cap came off 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. mot feeling well, Ell
thought 1 had met all of our lady
passengers. Introduce me, Dextry."
Dextry squirmed under his cynicism
''Well-I-ah-didn't catch the name
myself"
''What7'
"Oh, there amt much to say. Thi.
is the lady we brought aboard las
night-that's ALL
who gave you permissionY'
Nobody. There wasn't time.''
There wasn't time, eh? Which on,
Of you conceived the novel scheme O.
slowing away ladies in your cabin
Whose is she? Quick Answer me-
Indignation was vibrant in his voice.
OH the girl cried. her eyes widen
ing darkly. She stood slim and pak
and slightly trembling.
His words had cut her bitterly
/