Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-26
II.
The Wreck Of the santigan.

A faint gray mist lay on the river as
the santigan left Tilbury docks for her
long journey to the other side Of the
world. But before she had passed the
Chapman light the sun came out over
head and the water OF the wide estuary
glowed softly in Its radiance.
Sir Richard Gaunt leant over the port
rail Of the upper deck and watched the
land slip slowly past him. The nat
marshes Of Canvey Island were almost
beautiful in the golden haze. The old
church of Leigh stood out on the top of
the hill like q sturdy sentinel. And then
came the red blotch of a new brick town
stretching along the shore and the thin.
black thread of Southend pier. ana the
hideous gasometer which dominates the
whole coastline like q fortalice. Then
Shoebury Point and the smoke OF guns
booming across the Maplin sands. And
then the fiat marsh receding' northward-
a land OF dreariness and desolation. Foul:
ness Island perhaps the most lonely spot
in England
And then at last to the north there was
nothing but tho open sea. On tho star
board side Of the vessel there were the
pleasant shores of Kent, studded with
successful watering places. But Richard
Gaunt still kept his eyes to the north.
and over the waste OF waters he seemed
to see the tail black cliffs of Cardigan
shire. and the ugly white front OF Gaunt
Royal. and the stupendous elopes OF the
bare mountain range beyond.
And as he thought Of them he smiled.
No bird escaped from its cage, no pr.s-
oner set free from gaol. could have felt
more deeply grateful for freedom. The
dreary monotony Of life at Gaunt Royal
was over. Before him lay voyage which
might be full Of incident. Behind him
nothing he was sorry to leave.
It was pleasant. moreover, to think that
the whole thing had been managed with
out any difficulty and without even the
telling Of a single lie. He had spoken
the truth when he said that his health
had broken down and that he needed a
change. The doctor had been emphatic
in the matter. He had insisted on
change Of life and on more temperate
habits. He had been sent for when the
butler found Sir Richard In the library
with a smoking revolver in his hand. He
had a shrewd suspicion that the unfortu-
maize man had attempted his own life ana
had only been saved by sudden attack
of vertigo. 1t was clear that some cnanse
of life was required and he advised
Lady Betty had placed no difficulties in
the way of the man she loved. HIS white
face and trembling hands had pleaded for
him It was clearly case s. or nervous y rs
his lonely life at Gaunt Royal. 1t had
been. arranged between them that he
should take sea voyage 70 syoney ana
back on the Santigan. and that wnen ne
returned their engagement should be an
nounced to the world.
His departure from Gaunt Royal had
for the present. at any rate. removed !ne
shadow OF George Crawshay from MS
mind. Before he left he destroyed the
box and its contents. In vague sort OF
way he had determined to keep his oath
He would ruin his own life. but In the
pleasantest fashion possible and then, at
some very distant date. he would Kill him.
self. but he would not do this until life
had become unbearable. In this simple
manner he would fulfill his bargain and
get all the pleasure he could out OF exist
ence.
sea and felt the cool salt breeze against
his face. Already he felt new life In his
veins and he looked forward to the voy-
age. There would be fresh world to
conquer on this ship, with its new life
title, which were none too sweet in Lon
don, might acquire a veritable fragrance
in 2 mixed colony Of passengers n,gs, u. .s
tired out and glad to get to bed early
, down the number Of his drinks, and he
found II by no means hard TO do this In
his new surroundings. There was no
longer any necessity for him to look for
solace or oblivion. And he could find ex-
element In q pieasantsf form. :,
The next morning he woke up feeling all
the better for his few hours on the ship.
and life seemed very pleasant as ne
walked up and down the deck ana saw
the sunlight on the smooth waters OF tho
channel and took stock of the passengers.
Some OF the people were already pegin-
ming to make those friendships which last
for such short time. but which are 50
Gaunt's keen eyes were not idle. The
voyage, Of course. would be tntolerable
without a love affair. Hitherto he had
had no experience Of life on a liner, but
he had heard from his friends that there
was a good deal Of fun to be got out OF It..
Before another day had come to close
he had marked out his prey. and had
monplacs remarks on the delightful
emoothness Oh the water. She was q
pretty, fair-haired girl. and was travelling
with a father who was taking the voyage
for his health. The father dozed most
Of the day in q deck chair. and the giri.
nineteen, was only too pleased to embark
on an innocent Irritation.
Richard Gaunt was master OF most OF
: the arts that are required to conquer 9
womar's heart. He was handsome. and
though his face bore the marks OF dissi-
patton, It was merely pale and interesting
to young girl unyersed in the wicked
their intercourse he had limited Ut secret
trouble. at the hoilowness Of earthly hap
niness and the pretty, silly hsh had risen
to the bait. Richard Gaunt knew well
enough how TO capture the attention OF .
young girl Who're life had been spent N
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