The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-12-18

Mr.. MOsby, have you seen ANYTHING
OF my niece recently
Miss Burns? Why, no; / don't re-
call that l have. She is somewhere
around, though, of course. Walt a mo-
ment, and 1 viii have a steward look
her up"
Accordingly. a steward was sem
searching over the vessel. then TWO of
them, and finally the whole bunch; but
neither forward nor aft, above or below,
was any trace OF the missing girl TO be
found.
In the meantime a whisper OF the dis
appearance had reached the passengers,
and little groups began to gather with
grave. sacred faces, discussing In un-
dertones the possibility OF her having
fallen overheard.
The purSer, however, struck by a sud
den suspicion, hunted up the second Of
ficer.
Mr.. Evans he said. Il heard little
Miss Burns begging you 10 let her go
on shore this morning. Did you accede
to her request"
We'll, yes. You see. her going helped
us out of quite bit OF hole. and 1
knew she was too level-headed 70 get
into any mischief"
The purser made no comment on this
confident expression Of opinion. He
merely asked pointedly.
And arc you sure that she returned
to the ship all right2"
Returned to the ship? OF course she
did"
You saw ner come back"
No; 1 didn't see her. but. Of course
what in the world are you driving at,
Mosby?"
Simply that Miss Burns is not now
on the vessel. nor does anybody remem-
Der having seen her aboard since We
left harbor this afternoon"
Eth }" It would seem hard 70 com
press so much startled amazrment. re-
morse. and contrition into one singl.
monosylIabIe.
The second officers jaw dropped and
his face grew ashen.
'''Great guns. man. don't tell me any
thing like that" he groaned 1t can't
be so. 1t simply can't be So"
Both boats crews were routed out
without delay, and riBIdly questioned.
No. Miss Burns had certainly not
come aboard on any Of their trips. Each
had supposed that she must have re-
turned on the other bOa [.
Finally. the captain rad to send FOR
poor Aunt Margaret. -:ho BY this tire
vas almost wild with apprehension.
She thought he looked ten years older
than when she had seen MIN last.
"Oh. captain" and she clasped Ier
trembling hands, don't tell me II Is
true. Don't tell me that my little girl
is drowned
Ne" he replied N grave. kindly
voice, full OF symPatly. I'VE do not be-
lieve that she is droT ned. In fact. we
are very certain that through a griev-
Gus mistake, she was left behind urOn
the island at which We pat in this morn
ing"
Aunt Margaret almost swoonea in her
relief
"Oh. that is all right then" she ex-
. claimed You viii, OF course. turn
right around and go back for herr"
The captains face was full Of dis
tress.
NO" he answered. slowly. Il am
afraid that Will be impossible"
WHAT
You must bear up against d great
shock Of disappointment. nv. dear
lady. We cannot go back. no natter
. how much we may wish 10. The ship
! Is badly disabled, and my first duty
( is to get the passengers into port as
| quickly as ! can"
Then, my poor, little Helene must
remain there all alone?'
| He bowed sadly.
4 am afraid it must be so"
| Are there any wild beasts upon
/ that island?'
4 believe not: that is. not that I
know Of"
ANY people?"
! committally
''WhaS, kind Of people? Savages9Y
The inhabitants are not rated as
/ civilized. L believe"
: The old lady's eyes dilated.
! Captain" she gasped. captain. don't
tell me that they are canuibaIs?"
But he could stand no more.
Very little is knoWn Of Vartra
! Island. he said, rising and nervouslv
I pacing the deck. 1T is out Of the usual
( track of vessels, and has never been
I explored Knowing so little. therefore.
may we not hope for the best. and trust
| that If Miss Burns has fallen in with
the natives she is beins kindly cared
FORE
But this hollow consolation fen uDCr
/ deaf ears.
1 "Oh, l know they are cann:baIs.
I Aunt Margaret was crying hysteric4llv
My poor poor Helene is probably he
ing butchered now. Oh. captain. Won
must so back. You will 20 back. won't
you2 Oh, please. pIeaser'
She was down upcn her krses now
clinging to him. and 5eseccaiag him
in very abandonment Of Elief.
He lifted ner gently and seated her
in a chair.
my dear lady. don't make my ia 81
any harder than il already is.
would Sive my RICH; fano. if il wer,
possible TO return to that island: bur
ii is beyond my pc wa~ TO be hso.
lutely candid with you. in the presen-
condition q n ship. ca"rot do t.
not because I Will not. bat because
am net able
And what IS TO become OF -al
niece2' she demaDGlG.
Your niece, like ali the rest nj
use. said the captain. solemrly. e.
in the hands OF Coo
You refuse to do anything for her
! thought"
1 viii do all trat ! can-au thn