The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-08-22

lMIHZ/ ~ any iJdIl vi lile WI
"T for there at the top OF
~ Europe the whole CONT
mental railway system is
easily within your grasp, and you may
make your choice OF sailing ports. 1t
is, to he sure. rather ont OF your way
10 seek a ship at Liverpool unless you
expect TO gain some particular advan-
tage in doing so. Mr.. John Arluitagp
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
mad scamper. but his satisfaction in
finding himself aboard the King Ed
ward was supreme. He was and is. il
may be said. man who salutes the
passing days right amiably. no matter
how somber 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 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 a
watch in Geneva. really disappOintS
me- His persistence had actually COM
blower he was fairly decent, though.
and better than lot of these little toy
men with imitation titles"
"Oh. my large brother. have a 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 transfer to less gloomy
hole"
''Then | shall intercede myself with
the president when get home. They
are orchids-from London-but-with
Mr.. Armitage's card. Wouldn't that
excite your
1T makes me sickr' and Dick hung
heavily on the rail and glared at a
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 one eyed dog. If l should
see him again
Yes. Richard, if you should meet
again.
I'D ask him to be good enough to
stop following us about. and If he per-
sisted should muss him up
Yes; 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 brother
stalwart shoulders.
Don't be silly" observed Dick,
whose eyes were upon q trim yacht
that was steaming slowly beneath
them.
Il 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-"fort there he iS-as tall and
mysterious as overland me found gull
my jacket"'
This is good fortune, indeed" said
Armitage a moment later when they
had shaken hands. 81 finished my er.
rand at Geneva unexpectedly. and here
/ am"
He smiled at the feebleness of bis
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 thai
his acquaintance with the ClaiborneS
was too slight TO be severely strained
particularly where a fellow of DicE
SlolDOlu nc > ulSn Slllll was COuScI ucu
He talked with them a few minute:
longer, then took himself off. and they
saw little of him the rest of the day.
Armitage did not share their distinc
ton of a seat at the captains table
and Dick found him late at night II
the smoking saloon with pipe and book
Armitage nodded and asked him to 81
down.
You are a sailor as well as n 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. ] 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 dea
amused at finding himself sitting be
cida runi pa-aD invinp ipdaad hi