The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-02-06

Don't blame these men, sir she
begged the captain. Il am the only
one at fault oh. had to get away:
have papers here that must be deliv-
cred quickly" She laid 4 hand upon
her bosom. They couldn't be trusted
to the unsettled mail service. It's al
most life and death. And / assure
you there is no need of putting ne III
quarantine. ! haven't the smallpox
l wasn't even exposed to it,
There's nothing else TO do said
Stephens "Fll isolate you in the deck
smoking cabin. God knows what these
madmen on board will do when they
hear about it, though. They're apt to
tear you to shreds. They're crazy.
Glenister had been thinking rapidly
IF you do that. you'll have mutiny
in an hour. This isn't the crowd to
stand that sort Of thing"
Bah. Let 'em try II. I'll put iem
down" The officers square jaws
clicked.
"Maybe 50; brit what then? We
reach Nome and the health inspector
hears Of smallpox suspects, then we're
all ouarantined for thirty days; 800
OF US. Wen lie at Egg island all sum-
uner while your company pays FIVE
thousand a day for this ship. That's
not all. The nrm IL liable In damages
for your carelessness In letting disease
aboard"
"My carelessness!" The old man
ground his teeth.
"Yes; that's what 1t amounts to.
You'll ruin your owners, all right
You'll tie up your ship and lose your
Job, that's a cineh"
Captain Stephens wiped the moisture
from his brow angrily.
"My carelessness! Curse you-you
say it well! Don't you realize that
am criminally liable If l don't take
every precaution" He paused for
moment. considering. III hand her
over to the ships doctor"
"See here, now," Glenister urged.
We'll be In Nome in week-before
the young lady would have time to
show symptoms OF the disease, even
II she were going TO have it-and a
thousand to one she hasn't been eX-
posed and will never show trace OF
1t. Nobody knows she's aboard but we
three. Nobody will see her get OF.
She'll stay in this cabin, which will be
lust as effectual MS though you isolated
her in any other part Of the boat. 1t
will avoid a panic-you'll save your
ship and your company-nObody Will
be the wiser-then il the girl comes
down with smallpox after she gets
ashore she can go TO the peSthouse and
not jeopardize the health of all the
people aboard this ship. You go up
forrad to your bridge, sir, and forget
that you stepped in to see old Bill
Dextry this morning. Well take care
of this matter all right. 1t means as
much to us as it does to you. We've
got to be on Anvil creek before the
ground thaws or we'll lose the Midas.
If you make fuss you'll ruin us ALL"
For some moments they watched
him breathlessly as he frowned In in
decision, then:
= you'll have to look out for the
steward" he said, and the girl sank to
a stool while two great tears rolled
down her cheeks. The captains eyes
softened, and his voice was gentle as
he laid his hand on her head.
Don't feel hurt over what l said,
miss. You see, appearances don't tell
much hereabouts-neet Of the pretty
ones are no good. They've fooled me
many a time, and I made mistake
These men will help you through.
can't. Then when you get to Nome.
make your sweetheart marry you the
day you land. You are two far north
to be alone"
BE stepped out into the passage and
closed the door carefully.