Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-06-27
"Ah can that really be so?"

"Ah, can that really be so?"
The tense eagerness In his voice
might have warned her were 1t not
that she was shocked by the bitterness
which weiled up in her heart She
was amazed by this interpretive
glimpse 1t alarmed her. She must
conv ince 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
II have priced our friendship great.
ly, Dr. Christobal," she said, speaking
with calm deliberateness that rang
hollow in her own ears, 80 greatly
that am compelled to utter this pro
test. Now, to end distasteful con-
troversy let me tell you what l 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
fluke, the accident of the moment. ]
was left alone in the captains cabin.
The sea was breaking In through the
doorway, and 1t brought an odd relief
to my overburdened mind when l en-
deavored to rescue the contents OF q
locker which for some reason had
Among them found some letters. ]
think you will believe me when / say
that would not consciously read IN
other persons private correspondence
Just then was hardly responsible for
my actions. and did happen to see
and grasp the meaning of u passage in
letter from Captain Courtenay's sis,
ter which alluded to his nffianced
wife. 1t Is not such tragic admission
Is It? l would scarce have given 1t an
other thought were 1t not for your
manner this merning and your words
last night paid no heed at the time
to the innuendo that had come on
deck to find him.-to waylay him, as !
have heard men say when speaking OF
a type of woman despise. So re
solved to straighten out 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 INDUCING 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 new tenderness In his voice.
"Oh, yes: let us laugh at it."
"But'-
'Please let us talk Of something
more useful. l have little plan, and
you might ask the captain II he ap-
proves Of It. We have plenty Of strong
canvas. What do you say IL set to
work and cover in the promenade deck
fore and aft as well as both sides7
Then II the Indians try to seize the
ship they would not be able to gain q
Judgment at so many points stimuli
taneously. 1t would simplify the de-
Tense, so to speak"
Admirable! am sure Courtenay
viii agree. Indeed, am ashamed that
we superior males failed to hit on the
idea earlier. Before ! 60 let mo be
certafa that my forgiveness IL COM
plete."
"shall we quarrel about a degree Of
blessedness? assure you I like you
more than ever. When all Is said and
dane, you thought i was hinging my
self at our excellent captains head, SO
you tried to spare me the pangs Of UNI
requited love- The words hurt, but
she did not finch Chr1stobal, anxious
to 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 q newborn discretion. I shall
not elucidate that cryptic remark I'M
til after New Years day. But l. don't
mind telling you why have hilton
definite date. If all goes well with Us
and we have had 50 many escapes
that Providence may well send Us a
few more-the Kansas should steam
out Of our little bay Of Good Hope
about that period. Then shah remind
you Of our discussion and keep my
promise"
With that he left her. After gasp
or two Of surprise, for Elsie could read
only one meaning into his words, she
hurried up the bridge companion to
arouse Mr.. Boyle and ask what he
would like for luncheon.