The Washington times., 1908-12-14
CHAPTER VII.
ON THE FACE OF THE WATERS

Helene. leaning against the
rail-, gazed with unwearied
eyes upon the tremendous
panorama. fitting .past-of shore and
harbor and city fast dropping out ot
view.
She was of at last. Was she glad
or sOrTy, she asked herself2 Glad fOI
many reasons; sorry undoubtedly foI
some things she was leaving behind
There was dear old Jim. for instance.
But no, she must not think Of him
He had behaved abominably to her;
nothing could excuse sucn conduct as
his. He must be temporarily unbal-
snced. she decided; and yet he had
seemed sane enough in most ways that
night OF his call
Perhaps IL was love, a more kindly
suggestion coming to her. She had
heard that love sometimes created
strange Yagaries in mems minds.
Oh. If it should be that which caused
those curious wrigglings and contor-
tions Of his, how woefully she had mis-
judged him!
Overcome with remoTse and ContTition,
she sank INTO a reverie from which
she was only aroused by hearing her
own name.
She glanced up quickly, half suspect
ing the elderly man with the binoculars
a short distance away OF an attempt
at q Irritation.
Then as he repeated. Yes. it is the
Helene she smiled and understood.
He was Unoonsciously speaking aloud
and his gaze was bent upon a little boat
tossing upon the long rollers OF the At
lantic: for by this time they had breast
ed Sandy Hook and the amusement
places Of COney Island We're growing
dim in re distance.
Helene Iurned TO look, too. at the
tiny sell beating so intrepidly out TO
sea. following it with her eyes until the
steamer had left it far astern.
1T is a good Omen,' she mUrmurSd
AN example to me TO keep up a hrave
heart anG an unwavering show Of reso-
luton
"Good-by. little Helene" and she
waved her hand. May both of our
voyages be fair and bring US what we
most desire"
Then, as IT was growing a little rough
er, she left the deck and went below.
But II the Helene was observed from
the steamer, no less was the latter
noted from the Helene.
The sloop. with clearing papers all
correct and everything aboard, had
sailed at daybreak, as her captain had
predicted, but owing to contrary winds
had been little slow in getting down
the river and past quarantine.
Once in the lower bay. however, the
breeze swung around to the right quar-
ter. freshening to a rate OF seven
knots, and she squared away upon the
port tack like a bird
Waves dancing in from the sea broke
against her bow and flung up handfuIs
of spray, sparkling like gems in the
sunlight
Even the gIum old captain laughed
gleefully at the sight
"By glory, boy" he cried gayly, we've
started TO reap our harvest of jewels
already. It's a prophecy OF good luck
for US straight from the sea-; and the
sea never lies
He leaned over playfully to catch
some of the gIfttering drops in his hand,
but drew back, scowling at the result
Unwittingly he had cut his finger
slightly a moment or TWO before, and
now when ne displayed his palm 1t was
smeared with blood.
"BloodI' he snarled, casting a terri
BILE look at Harrison Il start to reach
for jewels. and get blood What does
that mean2"
We'll, like most other signs and por-
tents, 1t can mean most anything you
choose returned Jim, a shade scOrn-
fully; but, il you are asking for a
common sense diagnosis, I should say
you must have barked yourself some
wherA-"
-Faugh!' sputtered the captain; but.
finding upon investigation that Jim's
surrnise was correct, his tantrum sub
sided, although he stiT continued TO
look askance AT the other, and 70 NUT
ter TO himself as he bent over the
wheel
After a time Harrison. thinking to
arouse him from his sulks, pointed out
the liner steaming down the channel
and asked him what it was.
The Etruric. bound for southamp-
ton" came the grun response.
The Etruric!'
With one bound Jim was into the
cabin, and out again, the glasses glued
to his eyes, sweeping the steamers
decks.
Yes. she was there, ENs heart gave
tumultuous throb, and invoIuntarily
he started to crouch behind the deck
house before he realized the futility
or be- recognizing him at such dis
taEce, and under such circumstances.
He gazed 50 long and so steadily that
hnally the captains attention was at
tracted
BY heck" he sneered. 'the way We
stare, oRe'd think the prize we're after
was aboard Of her.
The prize / am after is aboard OF
her
The old man stared at the enigmatic
reply; then with a shake OF his head
turned back 10 his wheel
Good land" he muttered under his
breath, there's two Iunatics Oh this
cruise. Std on only one. An lunatics."