Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-08-20

dinner on the lighted deck. The spring
stars hung faint and far through thin
clouds, ard the wind was keen from
the sea A few passengers were out.
The deck stewards went about gather
ing up rugs and chairs for the night.
ssTfmes oughtn't to be reckoned at all
at sea. so that people who feel them
selves getting old eight sail forth into
the deep and defy the old man with
the hourglass."
II like the idea. Such people could
become fishers permanently and grow
very wise from so much brain food
"They wouldn't eat, Mr. Armitage.
Brain food forsoothl You talk like a
breakfast food advertisement. Ny idea
mine, please nete-is for such fortu-
nate people to sail in pretty little boats
with orange tinted sails and pick up
lost dreams. I got a hint of that in a
pretty poem once
.aTime seemed to pause little space.
1 heard a dream go by"
sBut out here in midocean a little
boat with lateen sails wouldn't have
much show. And dreams passing over
the idea is pretty and is creditable to
your Imagination. But I thought your
fancy was more militant Now, for
example, you like battle pictures he
said. .That was wonderful collec-
zion of military and battle pictures
shown in Paris last winter"
She half withdrew her hand from his
arm and turned away. The sea winds
did not wholly account for the sudden
color in her cheeks. She had seen Ar
mitage in Paris-in cafes, at the opera,
/ but not at the great exhibition of the
world famous battle pictures, yet I'M
doubtedly he had seen her, and she
remembered with instant conscious
hess the hours of absorption she had
pent before those canvases.
81 was in Paris during the exhibit
lon.s he said quietly "Ormsby, the
merican painter-the man who did
kne High Tide at Gettysburg'-is an
cQuaintance of mine"
"Oh.'
It was Ormsby's painting that had
PARTICULARLY captivated Shirley. She
I'D returned to it day after day, and
he thought that Armitage had taken
advantage of her deep interest in Pick
ett's charging gray line was annoying.
3 and she abruptly changed the subject.
Shirley had speculated much as to
the meaning of Armitage's remark at
] the carriage door in Geneva-that he
81 expected the slayer of the old Austrian
& prime minister to pass that way. Armi-
s tage had not referred to the crime in
E any way IN his talks with her on the
King Edward. Their conversations
had been pitched usually in light and
4 frivolous key. or, if one were disposed
Il TO be serious, the other responded in q
I note of levity.
4 They watched the lights Of an east
bound steamer that was passing near.
i The exchange of rocket signals-th
4 pretty and graceful parley between
81 ships that pass in the night-interested
Ii them for a moment Then the deck
& lights went out SO suddenly it seemed
that dark curtain had descended and
B shut them in with the sea.
Il Accident to the dynamo-we shall
u have tie lights on in moment!
HI shouted the deck officer, who stood
III near, talking to a passenger.
81 "Shan we go in?" asked Armitage.
II Eyes; it is getting cold" replied Shir-
Ill ley.
u For a moment they were quite alone
II on the dark deck, though they heard
III voices near at hand.
Fl They We're cropping their way toward
81 the main saloon, where they had left
rr-hn ir1o az
81 was aware of some one lurking near.
81 A figure seemed to be crouching close
by. and she felt its furtive movements
s. and knew that it had passed, but re-
& NAMED a few feet away. Her hand
81 on Armitage's arm frightened.
IA aWhat is that? There is some one
|#l following u.s." she said.
|&I At the same moment Armitage, too,
became aware Of the presence of a
E.lstooping figure behind him. He stop
Mped abruptly and faced about.
"Stand quite still. Miss Claiborne"
W He peered about, and instantly, as
Although waiting for his voice. tall
&Idgure rose not yard from him and a
Hong arm shot high above his head
Wand descended swiftly. They were
&close to the rail, and a roll of the ship
#eent Armitage off his feet and away
ENfron his assailant- Shirley at the same
ksnornent threw out her hands. defen-
4 lively or for support, and clutched the
4 arm and shoulder Of the man who had
hssafled Armitage. He had driven a
<tnffe at John Armitage and was pois-
nc himself for another attempt when
a<@shirley seized his arm. As he drew
E,aelk a fold of bis cloak still lay in
shjrjey,s grasp. and she gave sharp
little cry as the figure. with quick
Jerk. released the cloak and slipped
way into the shadows. A moment
later the lights were restored, and she
saw Armitage regarding ruefully
r. ong siif in the left arm Of his ulster.