The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-04-16

NohNfub Ntiu htf Vtutu " HN ttit stUs'
mined she should not be disappointed
"No time for explanations, he said,
while she tremblingly clutched at a
rail which gave support down the
companionway "Dr. Christobal IN be.
low, butt fear you win find a shock.
Ing scene. Perhaps you had better let
me take you back"
mo. no; not on my account. | think
am past feeling any sentiment
would far rather do something, be OF
some use, however slight"
A pungcnt smell OF iodoform came
TO them up the hatchway. Joey, who
had followed bravely In their wake
and was now few steps down the
stairs. crept back. awed.
"At least let me ask DR., Christobal
II you may come. You will be quite
safe here II you grip the rail- Even II
a sea breaks over the hatch II cannot
touch you. May leave your And do
you mind holding JoeyT'
Elsie detected n return 10 his earlier
manner, and she was grateful 10 him
for It, She did not like him SO well
when he was stern and curt
Yes" she said. THAT is only rea.
sonable, but please tell him shall not
be IN the way. ] know that there are
wounded men TO be attended aud dead
men down there too. | shall not
scream or faint, believe me"
II am sure Of that. Not one woman
In a thousand could have played and
sung to cheer others us you did after
the accident happened"
II might have been the reaction from
her exciting passage along the deck,
but Elsie experienced sudden warm
glow In her face, Somehow II was de.
lightful to hear those words from such
man in the hour Of his supremest
trial. for she realized what II meant
to him, even though his life were
saved. II the Kansas became wreck.
She stopped. ostensibly TO grasp the
dogs collar.
Before you leave me-" she said, "let
me tell you how sorry am for you"
He ran down fhc stairs and entered
the small salon, which had been
hastily converted into a hospital. Per.
haps 1t would be better described as a
mortuary, for It held more dead than
living. Chrlstobal, aided by two sail.
ors, was wrapping lint around fire
mans scared arm. Happily there was
an abundance Of cotton sheets avail. |
able. and the men tore them into strips. |
But the comparatively small supply OF |
cotton wool carried In the ships stores
and in the Doctors private medicine
chest had long since given out.
Miss Maxwell is here. She askea |
me TO bring her TO you In case she |
might be able to render you some as
sistance," explained Courtenay.
Christobal drew himself upright,
with the slowness Of an elderly man
whose Joints are stiifening
Miss Maxwell herei" he repeated.
obviously surprised, II not displeased
He waved hand toward the men laid
in mattresses on the deck. Most were
quite motionless. Others writhed In
igony. "She cannot come--it is I'm
possible"
Courtenay saw that the girl could
10 no good now In that chamber OF
ieath. The mere memory Of II would
be an abiding horror. He wanted
,hristobal himself to send her away.
,ut the doctor had taken of his coat
md barred his arms. His appearance
vas grimly businesslike.
"WiIl you tell her how much am
'bliged to her for her kind thougbt1
But, you see, It cannot be permitted.
Please say that ! hope to join her In
be salon In quarter Of an hour.
iy work IL nearly ended. am sure
'ou will make her understand that this
3 not place for woman"
Again he swept the row OF silent
,odIes with a comprehensive hand.
'ct the trivial thought intruded itself
n the sailor that this elegant old
paniard delegated the task OF er.
to him solely because be did
OF wish TO appear before Miss Mar
yell in a somewhat disheyeled state
lie dismissed the notion at once.
How manyY' he asked, glancing at
he quiet forms which bore no band
ges.
ELEVEN now Ey the way inst one
ord. What chance have wer' Chris