The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-08-15
CONTINUED from last Issue.)
Chapter VII
ON THE DARK DECK.

| w country"
Then l shall have 10
take the part Of the rebellious aud
doubling crew. There is no America.
and were sure TO get into trouble II
we don't turn back"
"You shall be clapped into irons and
fed on bread and water and turned
over TO the Indians as soon as we reach
land"
Don't starve me! Let me hang from
the yardarm at once or walk the plank
choose the hour Immediately after
dinner nor my obsequies.'
They were silent for a moment. con
tinuing their tramp. Fair weather
was peopling the decks. Dick Clai-
borne was engrossed with a vivacious
California girl. and Shirley saw him
only at meals, but he and Armitage
held night sessions In the smoking
room. with increased liking ON both
sides.
Armitage saw something OF all the
Claibornes every day in the pleasant
intimacy OF ship life. and Hilton Clai-
borne found the young man an inter
esting tafker. Judge Claiborne is. as
every one knows. the best posted
American OF his time In diplomatic
history. and when they were together
Armltage suggested topics that were
well calculated to awaken the old law
yer's interest.
Shirley and Armitage talked-as peo-
pie will on shipboard-of everything
under the sun. Shiriey's enthusiasms
were In themselves interesting. but she
was Informed In the worlds larger af-
fairs. as became the daughter OF n
man who was an authority In such
matters. and found It pleasant TO dis
cuss them with Armltage. He felt the
poetic quality In her. II was that
which had first appealed TO him. but
he did not know that something OF the
same sort In himself touched her. IL
| was enough for those days that he
was courteous and amusing and gained
trifle in her eyes from the fact that
he had no tangible background.
Then came the evening OF the fifth
day. They were taking a turn after
dinner on the lighted deck. The spring
stars hung faint and far through thin
clouds. and 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.
Thine oughtn't to be reckoned mt all
Mt sea. so that people who feel them
selves getting old might 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 My idea
mine. please note-is for such fortu-
nate people 10 sail in pretty little boats
with orange tinted sails and pick ~
lost dreams. l got a hint OF that In a
pretty poem once
Thine seemed 10 pause a little space.
heard a dream 20 by"
"But out here In midocean n 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 | thought your
fancy was more militant. Now, for
example. you like battle pictures" he
said. THAT was a wonderful collec-
ton OF military and battle pictures
shown In Paris last winter"
She half withdrew her hand from his
arm and turned away. The sea winds
nd not wholly account for the sudden
color in her cheeks. She had seen Ar
mltage in Paris-ln cafes. at the opera.
but not at the great exhibition OF the
world famous battle pictures. yet I'M
Idoubtedly he had seen her. and she
remembered with instant conscious
ness the hours Of absorption she had
spent before those canvases.
Il was IN Paris during the exhibit
tion," he said quietly. "Ormsby. the
American painter-the man who did
the High Tide at Gettysburg an
acquaintance OF mine"
"Ohp
II was Ormsby's painting that had
particularly captivated Shirley. She
ndu teluTueu 10 IL udy AlteT uhy. huu
the thought that Armitage had taken
advantage OF her deep interest in Pick
etts charging gray line was annoying.
and she abruptly changed the subject.
Shirley had speculated much as 10
the meaning OF Armitage's remark at
the carriage door In Geneva-that he
Iexpected the slayer OF the old Austrian
prime minister to pass that way. Arml-
tage had not referred TO the crime In
any way In his talks with her on the
King Edward Their conversations
had been pitched usually In light and
frivolous key. or. II one were disposed
TO be serious, the other responded IL 4
note OF levlty.
They watched the lights of an east
bound steamer that was passing near.
The exchange OF rocket signals-that
pretty and graceful parley between
ships that pass In the ht-interested
them for a moment. Then the deck
lights went out 50 suddenly 1t seemed
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