Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-07-07
BY LOUIS TRACY,


telling them to sweep it up, and they
were hard at work when i went to my
cabin"
"Oh, Is that where you hid yourself?
No wonder could not find you. or
course Joey knew where you were.
How stupid Of mel"
please don't call yourself Names.
Elsie. You don't deserve them. And,
by the way, may address you by your
Christian name? 1t slipped out today
unawares Not that l feel like apollo
giving, because | don't. There are
times when the heart speaks. not the
guarded tongue"
Luckily the darkness covered the hot
blush which leaped to her cheeks. She
gave nervous little laugh and strove
desperately to parry this wholly I'M
expected assault.
II shall be delighted II you always
call me Elsie. 1t sounds friendly, and
think our circumstances warrant a
true friendship"
Excellent. suppose you know that
my name is Arthur"
"Yes, but had no notion Of that
sort Of exchange. You are the captain,
and very serious sort Of captain at
times feel like little girl when
you look at ME and tell me not to be
naughty. SO Elsie sounds all right,
but simply dare not call you Arthur
Just imagine what sensation 1t
would create in the salon! should
feel creepy all over. And hadn't we
better be-
"Elsie," said he, with tender note
in his voice which thrilled her like a
chord of exquisite music. Il want to
tell you something. The knowledge is
forced on me that there is another man
on this ship who wishes to make you
his wife. but l. too, love you. and ] see
no reason why should stand aside for
any man on Gods earth until you tell
me with your own lips that you prefer
him to me-"
"Ohr' gasped Elsie and "Oh! again,
but not anot' Y word could she utter.
she who had been so voluble moment
ago. The bittersweet pain of hearing
this sudden avowal was almost over
powerfng. Her ideals Of honor and
truth were shocked. but she was Il wo-
man US well as an idealist. and she was
stirred to the depths OF her soul by the
knowledge that she had won the man
whose love she craved.
II want you to listen to me, Elsie. .
he said, with passionate intensity
that stilled the rising storm In her bos-
ON. ''Dr. Christobal may have plead
ed his own cause already. 1t fY not
for me to cavil Mt him for doing that,
but cannot lose you without word.
Whether you marry him or me or nei-
Their Of us. shall love you forever. l
want you to know that 1t is no new
discovery to me. think my heart
went out to you when carried you In
my arms through the gale. and since
that hour you and have had expert.
ences denied to most men and women
ere they reach the conclusion that they
are At mates for the voyage OF life. Do
you feel that. sweetheart7 Have we
known each other ten days or ten
years?"
His face was very near to hers now.
His arm was around her neck. II was
quite dark where they stood iri the
shadow Of the bridge. He could not
see the tears in her eyes. but he heard
her broken answer:
"Are u-guite-fair-in using such
words to me?"
'Fair, Elsie! Fair to whom?"
"Because-oh, how can tell you!
Are you free TOTO speak to me iii this
wayY
"Elsie, am pledged to no other wo-
man, If that is what you mean. Who
has been telling you otherwiseT
"No one. Indeed-indeed. alone am
to blame. You will be angry witt, me.
but could not help it."
She could say no more. II she had
uttered another syllable just then she
would have broken down completely.
Courtenay placed his hand under her
chin and lifted her unresisting lips to
his. He kissed her twice and laughed
softly, with glad confidence that sent
a wave of delight coursing through FL
sizes veins.
Sweetheart" he whispered, II am
sure you would not have allowed me to
speak so plainly If you were going to
send me away. Now, don't want you
to bind yourself irrevocably tonight.
That would certainly not be fair.
don't know why am to be angry or
what it was you couldn't help. and !
don't care a red cent. All want to
know is this-if the Kansas brings us
both back to the outer world once
more, have as good chance Of win
ming your love as any other mans"
but l must tell you. l could not
look YOU In the face II you did not hear
1t. When was left alone in your
cabin the second time and the sea
came in. a packet of letters fell out of
some clothes which picked up from
the floor. There was one from your
sister. I hardly knew what was DO
ing. but saw her name, 'Madge,' and
read few words on the hall page
above her signature"
Els left arm was now SO we'll estaD'
lIshed that his hand touched her cheek,
and he found it wet with tears.
"What wild conceit has crept into
your pretty little head?" he cried In
amaze, unconsciously raising his voice
somewhat. "a letter from my sister,
She IL the most straightforward wo-