The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-09-11


mental railway system is
easily within your grasp, and you may
make your choice Of sailing ports. 1t
Is, to be sure, rather out Of your way
to seek a ship at Liverpool unless you
expect to gain some particular advan-
tage in doing so. Mr.. John Armitage
hurried thither in the most breathless
haste to catch the King Edward,
whereas he might have taken the Tou-
raine at Cherbourg and saved himself
a mad scamper, but his satisfaction in
finding himself aboard the King Ed
ward was supreme. He was and is it
may be said q man who salutes the
paging days right amiably, no matter
no Csomber their colors.
Shirley Claiborne and Captain Rich
ard Claiborne, her brother, were on
deck watching the shipping in the Mer-
sey as the big steamer swung into the
channel.
81 hope" observed Dick, "that we
have shaken off all your transatlantic
suitors. That little Chauvenet died
easier than 1 had expected. He never
turned up after we left Florence, but
I'm not wholly sure that we shan't
find him at the dock in New York. And
that mysterious Armitage, who spent
so much railway fare following us
about and who almost bought you
watch in Geneva, really disappoints
me. His persistence had actually COM
PEELED my admiration. For a glass
blower he was fairly decent, though,
and better than lot of these little toy
men with imitation titles"
"Oh, my large brother, l have con-
fession to make" said Shirley. "Please
don't indulge in great oaths or stamp
a hole in this sturdy deck, but there
are flowers in my stateroom"-
probably from the Liverpool con-
sui He's been Fostering father to help
him get a transfer to less gloomy
hole"
'"Then 1 shall intercede myself with
the president when l get home. They
are orchids-from London-but-with
Mr.. Armitage's card. Wouldn't that
excite you"
''It makes me sick!' and Dick hung
heavily on the rail and glared at
passing tug.
''They are beautiful orchids. don't
remember when orchids have happened
to me before, Richard-in such quanti-
ties. Now, you really didn't disapprove
of him so much, did you? This is prob
ably goodby forever, but he wasn't so
bad, and he may be an American, after
ALL"
"a common adventurer! Such fell
lows are always turning up, like bad
pennies or a one eyed dog. If I should
see him again.
Eyes, Richard, If you should meet
again.
'I'd ask him to be good enough to
stop following us about, and If he per-
sisted 1 should muss him up"
Eyes; I'm sure you would protect me
from his opportunities at any hazard"
Knocked Shirley, turning and leaning
against the rail so that she looked
along the deck beyond her brothers
stalwart shoulders.
"Don't be silly" observed Dick,
whose eyes were upon a trim yacht
that was steaming slowly beneath
them.
II shan't, but please don't be violent!
Do not murder the poor man, Dickie,
dear'-and she took hold of his arm en-
treatingly-"for there he is-as tall and
mysterious as overland me found gull
ty with a few Of his ORCHIDS pinned to
my jacketw
"This Is good fortune, indeed" said
Armitage a moment later when they
had shaken hands. II finished my err
rand at Geneva Unexpectedly, and here
I am"
He smiled at the feebleness Of his
explanation and joined In their passing
comment on the life Of the harbor. He
was not so dull but that he felt Dick
Claiborne's resentment of his presence
on board. He knew perfectly we'll that
his acquaintance with the Claibornes
was too slight to be severely strained.
particularly where q fellow of Dick
Claiborne's high spirit was concerned
He talked with them a few minutes
longer, then took himself off, and they
saw little of him the rest of the day..
Armitage did not share their distinc-
ton Of q seat at the captains table,
and Dick found him late ut night in
the smoking saloon with pipe and book.
Armitage nodded and asked him to sit
down.
you are a sailor as well as SOL
der, captain. You are fortunate
always sit up the first night to make
sure the enemy doesn't lay hold of me
in my sleep"
He tossed his book aside. had brandy
and soda brought and offered Clai-
borne cigar.
"This is not the most fortunate sea-
son for crossing. I am sure to fall to-
morrow. My father and mother hate
the sea particularly and have retired
for three days. My sister is the only
one of us who is perfectly immune"
Dick Claiborne was a good deal
unused at finding himself sitting be-