The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-04-13

ly life is largely made up of these
minor evils. Yet should have thought
that the desperate conditions under
which we exist at this hour might pro-
tect me from uncharita bleness.''
you are pleased to be severe"
'No; 1t is the last privilege of dan
ger that shams should vanish. Yet
we plumb the depths of absurdity
when we contest the right of any wo-
man, even young and unmarried one,
to appreciate all that a brave man has
done and is doing to save her life."
Elsie was speaking without heat.
She might have been reasoning some
disputed point in ethics. The Span
lard was obviously thrown off his
guard.
You seem to demand an explana-
tion," he said, with some warmth.
well, you shall have 1t. | am not
man to finch from the disagreeable. l
admit a sort OF impression, / might al
most describe 1t as conviction, that
Captain Courtenay's manner toward
you betokens a growing admiration"
This is the widest folly" cried
Elsie in bewilderment. I'll cannot
imagine what put such a notion into
your head"
"Let me at least lay claim to a spe-
cies of altruism," he replied. 81 can
see fifty excellent reasons why our
young and good looking commander
should be drawn to you, nor can / urge
one against It."
"But he is already engaged to an
other woman, so my one reason Is
worth more than all your fifty"
"Ah. can that really be SOP
The tense eagerness in his voice
might have warned her were 1t not
that she was shocked by the bitterness
which welled up in her heart. She
was amazed by this interpretive
glimpse. 1t alarmed her. She must
convince herself at all costs that she
had spoken truly.
Although the evidence she rendered
was of dubious value, she strove to ad-
vance her argument further.
II have priced our friendship great
ly, DR.. Christobal," she said, speaking
with a calm deliberateness that rang
hollow in her own ears, 80 greatly
that am compelled to utter this pro-
test. Now, to end a distasteful con-
troversy let me tell you what 1 know
to be true. When the ship was strand
ed and we all thought our only chance
Of safety was to take to the boats, by
fluke. the accident Of the moment, /
was left alone in the captains cabin.
The sea was breaking in through the
doorway, and It brought an odd relief
to my overburdened mind when / en-
deavored to rescue the contents of
locker which for some reason had
been scattered on the floor previously.
Among them / found some letters. I
think you will believe me when I say
that would not consciously read an
other persons private correspondence.
Just then was hardly responsible for
my actions. and 1 did happen to see
and grasp the meaning of passage In
letter from Captain Courtenay's SIS
ter which alluded to his affianced
wife. 1t is not such tragic admission,
is 1t? would scarce have given it an
other thought were it not for your
manner this morning and your words
last night. paid no heed at the time
to the innuendo that I had come on
deck to find him-to waylay him, as /
have heard men say when speaking Of
type Of woman I despise. So / re-
solved to straighten out a stupid little
tangle. It would be ridiculous in our
present state Of suspended animation
to let such a slight thing mar our
friendship"
Elsie was indulging In that most de-
lusive thing. self persuasion. 1t was
not surprising, therefore, that she failed
to note the unmixed satisfaction with
which Christobal listened.
"Am | forgiven, then?" he asked.
with a new tenderness in his voice.
"Oh. yes; let us laugh at it."
But
please let US talk Of something
more useful. I have little plan, and
you might ask the captain If he APP
proves of it. We have plenty of strong
canvas. What do you say If l set to
work and cover in the promenade deck
fore and aft as well as both sides?
linen II the Indians try to seize the
ship they would not be able to gain a
lodgment at so many points stimuli
taneously. It would simplify the de-
Tense. so to speak"
Admirable! am sure Courtenay
Will agree. Indeed, am ashamed that
we superior males failed to hit on the
idea earlier. Before I go let me be
certain that my forgiveness Ii COM
plete."
Shall we quarrel about a degree of
blessedness? 1 assure you / like you
more than ever. When all is said and
done, you thought 1 was f1inging my
self at our excellent captains head, so
you tried to spare me the pangs of I'M
reQuited love-" The words hurt, but
she did not finch. Christobal, anxious
to deceive himself, was radiant.
Your charity goes too far" be cried.
THAT was not the exact reason. No