Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-14
Observation-Disclosures
By LOUIS TRACY,

"Let me at least lay claim to a spe-
ries of altruism." he replied. Il can
zee fifty excellent reasons why our
young and good looking commander
should be drawn to you, nor can urge
pne against it"
But he is already engaged to an
pther woman, so my one reason Is
worth more than an your fifty
''Ah. can that really be SOP
The tense eagerness in his voice
might have warned her We're it not
that she was shocked by the bitterness
which welled up in her heart She
was amazed by this retrospective
glimpse. 1t alarmed her. She must
convince herself at all costs that she
had spoken truly.
Although the evidence she rendered
was Of dubious value, she strove to ad-
vance her argument further.
Il have priced our friendship great
IL, DR.. Christobal," she said, speaking
with a calm deliberateness that rang
hollow in her own ears, $50 greatly
that l am compelled to utter this pro-
test. Now, to end distasteful con-
troversy let me tell you what 1 know
to be true. When the ship was strand
ed and we all thought our only chance
of safety was to take to the boats, by
a fuke, the accident of the moment, /
was left alone in the captains cabin.
The sea was breaking in through the
doorway, and it brought an odd relief
to my overburdened mind when l en-
deavored to rescue the contents of
locker which for some reason had
been scattered on the floor previously.
Among them l found some letters.
think you will believe me when l say
that would not consciously read an
other persons private correspondence.
Just then l was hardly responsible for
my actions, and l did happen to see
and grasp the meaning of passage in
letter from Captain Courtenay's SIS
ter which alluded to his affianced
wife. 1t is not such tragic admission,
Is it? would scarce have given it an
other thought were it not for your
AhohhCh NAiAo 1lOA NILS Joul "OLus
last night. paid no heed at the time
to the innuendo that l had come on
deck to find him-to waylay him:-as
have heard men say when speaking of
a type Of woman l despise. So / re-
solved to straighten out a stupid little
tangle. 1t would be ridiculous in our
present state Of suspended animation
to let such a slight thing mar our
friendship"
Elsie was indulging in that most de-
lusive thing. self persuasion. 1t was
not surprising. therefore. that she failed
to note the unmixed satisfaction with
which Christobal listened.
Am / forgiven, then?' he asked, |
with a new tenderness in his voice.
"oh, yes; let US laugh at it."
But
please let US talk of something
more useful. have little plan. and |
you might ask the captain If he APP
proves Of it. We have plenty of strong
ranvas. What do you say If set to |
work and cover in the promenade deck !
fore and aft as well as both sides? |
Then II the Indians try to seize the /
ship they would not be able to gain a
Judgment at so many points stimuli. /
taneously. 1t would simplify the de. (
Tense, so to speak,
Admirable, | am sure Courtenay
will agree. Indeed. I am ashamed that !
we superior males failed to hit on the |
idea earlier. Before | 20 let me he .
PERTAIN that my forgiveness is CON-
plste."
shall We quarrel about n degree OF
blessedness? | assure you I like you
more than ever. When all is said and
done, you thought was flinging my
self at our excellent captains head, SC
you tried to spare me the pangs Of IN
requitsd love" The words hurt, but
phe did not finch. Christobal, anxious
10 deceive himself. was radiant
Your charity goes too far" he cried.
+That was not the exact reason. No.
my dear Miss Maxwell: begin to ex.
ercise a newborn discretion. shall
not elucidate that cryptic remark IN
hi after New Years day. But l don't
mind telling you why have hit on
definite date. II all goes we'll with rs
land we have had so many escapes
that Providence may well send us
few more-the Kansas should steam
put Of our little bay of Good Hope
about that period. Then / shall remind
Tou Of our discussion and keep my
promise
With that he left her After a gasp
,r two OF surprise, for Elsie could read
,nly one meaning into his words. she
hurried up the bridge companion IL +
lrouse Mr.. Boyle and ask what he (
would Ike for luncheon.
CHAPTER XII.
.HE captain was enthusiastic
when he heard OF Elsie's idea
for the protection Of the main