Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-09-19

heard the hearty greeting of the ships
captain.
well. well, Glenister, where's all
the breakfast golng?"
90" whispered the old man, "that's
Cap stephens"
"Dextry isn't feeling quite up to
form this morning" replied Glenister
easily
Don't wonderl Why weren't you
aboard sooner last night? saw you.
Most got left, Ell? Served you right If
you had" Then his voice dropped to
the confidential: "Id advise you to cut
stand me, boy. but they're n bad lot on
this boat. l saw you come aboard.
Take my word for It, they're n bad lot.
Cut EN- 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 grlffly
good naturcd. "rIello, Dextry! Hey
Omen up for inspection" He ratified
the door
There was nothing to be done. The
Mt his companion, then, at her nod.
slipped the bolt and the captains blue
bulk filed the room.
His grizzlcd close bearded face was
gcnnlly wrlnkled till he spied the
erect gray figure In the corner, when
his cap came off involuntarlly. 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, eh?
| thought | had met all of our lady
passengers. Introduce me. Dextry."
Dextry squirmed under his cynicism.
"Well-1--ah-didn' catch the name
myself"
WHAT"
"Oh, there amt much to say. This
is the lady we brought aboard last
night--that's all"
who gave you permissionw
Nobody. There wasn't time"
'There wasn't time Ell? Which one
OF you conceived the novel scheme Of
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 pale
and slightly trembling.
His words had cut her bitterly.
, though through it all he had scrupu-
lousy avoided addressing her.
The captain turned to Glenister. who
had entered and closed the door.
as this your work? Is she yours?"
| NO" he answered quietly, while
De1try chimcd in:
Better hear details, captain, before
| you make breaks like that We helped
the lady side step some sailors last
night, and we most got left doing It.
1t was up to her to make quick get
away, SO we helped her aboard"
"a poor story, What was she rue
ming away from?'' He still addresse.
the men, ignoring her completely till,
with hoarse voice, she broke In:
You mustn't talk about me thet
way. l can answer your questions.
It's true-I ran away. had to. The
sailors came after me and fought with
these men. I had to get away quickly,
and your friends helped me on here
from gentlemanly kindness, because
they saw me unprotected. They ar"
still protecting me. I can't explain
! how important 1t is for me to reach
| Nome on the first boat because 1t isn't
my secret. 1t was important enough
to make me leave my uncle at Seattle
at an hours notice when we found
there was no one else who could 20.
That's all can say. took my maid with
ME, but the sailors caught her Just as
she was following me down the ships
ladder. She had my bag of clothes
when they seized her. | cast off the
rope and rowed ashore as fast as I
could, but they lowered another boat
and followed me"
The captain eyed her sharply. and
his grim lines softened a bit for she
was clean cut and wOmanly and utter.
ly out Of place. He took her in shrewd,
ly, detail by detail, then spoke directly
to her:
my dear young lady, the other ships
will get there just as quickly as ours
maybe more quickly. Tomorrow we
strike the Ice pack, and then 1t is all
a matter of luck"
Eyes, but the ship left won't get
there"
At this the commander started and
darling a great. thick fingered hand al
her, spoke savagely:
whats that? What ship? Which
one did you come from? Answer me
THE Ohio" she replied, with the
effect Of hand grenade. The master
glared at her.
THE Ohio. Good God. You dare
to stand there and tell me thatT He
turned and poured his rage upon the
others.
"Shc says the Ohio, dye hear2 You've
ruined me! I'll put you in irons-all OF
you. The Ohio"
"What dye mean? What's upT"
whats up! There's smallpox aboard
the Ohio. Tbs girl has broken quar-
antine. The health inspectors bottled
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