Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-11-20
CHAPTER I.-continued.

tinizinG a photo of the trio. Elise shared
her stateroom with a Mrs. Graham, also
bound for Canada.
CHAPTER I.-continued.
The light was burning in my state
room when at last | forced myself to
enter it, and Mrs. Graham lay asleep
in the lower berth. her lips slightly
parted and her face resting upon her
hand. Nature had meant to be kind
to this woman. and had been liberal
indeed with her gifts. The lashes
which swept the pale cheek were dark
and curling. like the luxuriant hair
carelessly pushed aside on the pillow.
while the face itself. though thin and
haggard. had evidently once been
perfect oval. with singular purity Of
outline and innocence of expression.
As noiselessly as possible. 1 made
my preparations for the night and
climbed into my berth. turning on the
electric light with n sense OF relief
that the switch was within easy reach
OF my hand.
lay staring into the darkness, wide
awake and alert to every sound. A
murmur Of voices came from the next
room. interspersed with occasional sub
dued laughter. and at last ! heard
window opened. and some one appar-
entity leaned out with an ejaculation OF
relief.
love. what a night. And to think
of wasting It in n cell like this! Blake.
you old sinner. have you no soul for
the beautiful? Look at the light on
- water"
NThe reply was inaudible. Evidently
Blake had gone sensibly to bed. but
the voice continued undaunted:
II say. wouldn't It be jolly to dive on
the railing and swim n mile or SO? !
declare. I've half 4 mind to do IT,"
caught my breath apprehensively.
Suppose he should jump? A match
was now scratched. and the odOr of n
cigarette foated through my Slated
blind.
Maybe you think you're on an or
dinary steamer. Blake, but it's nothing
OF the kind. 1t is a royal barge be
longing to the gods. and it's carrying
the Three Graces to attend Apollo
I'm Apollo. you understand. and Venus
isn't in 1t this trip. I think-of course
I'm not yet sure-but I think Thalia
is the chosen one"
The berth creaked plaintively. and
a second match was struck. Apparent
ly Blake considered 1t wiser TO join
his patient at the window.
Don't be an ass" he said. with a
slow drawi. but his companion mere
ly whistled a few bars of an old song
How happy could | be with either
were t'other dear charmer away. eh.
Blake?" he laughed. That's the way
with this world-always too much or
too little"
Quite enough for you, I think
Not a bit of it. The thing I want
most lack, but some time. some how.
I'm going to get it,
Silence for a few moments, then he
fimed more gravely:
3r course it's no end jolly to have
yodkwith me, Blake. but 1t is n queer
business for you to take up. and |
don't altogether like it. You were
built for better things"
1T is interesting work. and said to
require special fitness
NO doubt. Well. it's an Ill wind.
you know. and. since 1t blew you my
way. I've no kick coming. But, old
chap, there is no use in publishing
what you are doing, and for both our
sakes 1t is better you should pass
simply as my guest
las you please. Bennett. Now. for
heavens sake, come to bed"
don't know whether / had actually
been asleep, or whether / was merely
in that delightful state of halfcon-
sciousness which precedes profound
slumber, but suddenly l started up
broad awake. with the echo Of cry
ringing in my ears. Was I dreaming?
| wondered, for I heard nothing but
the sound of the waves against the
boat.
Then 1t came again, from just be.
meath me. a sobbing. frightened cry.
infinitely distressing to hear, and In
stinctively I turned on the light and
jumped to the floor.
Mrs. Graham sat upright in her
berth, her dark eyes looking into
space, and her hands tightly clasped.
mot again, Harry" she moaned:
not again-so soon."
took her hands In mine and spoke
m her. calling her by name several
times, and gradually the blank look
in her eyes was replaced by utter be.
wilderment as she began to realize her
surroundings.
kat is it," she said. What
have I been doing?"