Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-06-18
CHAPTER XVII.


might comfort child in pain.
Isobel, stupcned by some haunting
knowledge which appeared to have n
vague connection with the misfortunes
Of the Kansas, yielded to Elsie's gentle
compulsion and endeavored to close
her eyes.
Through the open port Elsie heard n
man walk rapidly along the deck and
halt outside the door. She half rose
from her knees to answer the expected
knock, thinking that Mrs. Somerville
had sent n steward to ascertain If Miss
Barring needed anything. but the new
conner evidently changed his mind and
voice, low. but compelling:
"One moment NJ. de Poincilit. A
word with you"
another time, m'sieu'. pray you
pardon me now. find am not strong
enough vet 10 venture on deck"
ooh, yes. you are, m'sieu'. I want to
give you the chance Of your life. Mr..
Gray has told me of your behavior,
and he charitablv added that your COW
ardice and treachery might have arisen
from ungovernable fear. Now. II you
wish to atone for your conduct, here is
an opportunity. I am taking n boat
ashore to try to save some of my men
who are imprisoned there. There is a
fair risk in the venture. The outcome
may be death viii you volunteer to
take an oar? That would whitewash
your weather marks"
at Is impossible I am too feeble.
cannot row"
"Ah. you swine Can 1t be possible
that you are Frenchman? What sort
of countship Is II you boast off,
"Sir, l am passenger on this ship
Courtepay's voice was raised little
mfr. Boyle" he said, give orders
that IL this skunk shows his nose In
side the salon again he is to be kicked
out He can eat his meals In his state
room or In the fore cabin with the 9th
er savages"
Elsie heard every word. She fancied
too, that Isobel was listening, though
she gave no sign. But the unknown
cause Of the captains anger was a:
naught compared with the Statement
that he was about to leave the ship
She had heard the lowering of the boa
without needing He was already
climbing down the ships side. Soor
he would be far from her. perhaps new
er to return, for ne was not one I,
paint imaginary ills. and had he no
told De Poincilit what the outcome o.
the undertaking might be? She fount
Isobel looking at her with frightened
eyes
Did you hear?" came the tens'
whisper
Yes"
"And you are content to let him go?'
"Ah. God! Yes. content"
But it Is folly. He is the captain
He should not go. We have risket
enough already. Who are these mel
for whose sake he leaves you and al
of us:''
81 know not. nor do l greatly care
May heaven help me and them. VI
are his first care. Let It be mine +
leave him unhindered in the task h
has undertaken"
| Isobel was cowed into silence. e.
sizes hero worship had reached
height beyond her comprehension. Sh
would never understand how VIC
man who loved man could send hin
voluntarily to his death. and her shal
! low mind did not contemplate the pos
sibillty Of Courtenays refusing to b
swayed by any other consideration
than that which his conscience toll
him was right
Thus at arms length as II were, the
waited until they caught the shar
command Give way there" and tn
plash Of oars told them that the boa
had really started on Its journey shore
ward. Then Isobel, glancing furtivel
At her companion, saw the tears stea
ing down her cheeks, and the situatio
came back from the transcendental I
that which was ineligible to her low
er ideals.
81 am sorry" she whispered, catch
Ing Elsie's hand tlmidly. Il sail wha
I thought was for the best, At an
rate, II is too late now.
Too late, The other girl grope
blindy for the door She felt that sh
would yield to the strain If she did nc
60 on deck and catch a parting glimps
of the man who had become dearer t
her than life itself.
On the poop she found Boyle Chris
tobal. Gray and Walker. A numbe
Of Chileans were leaning over the rail
Of the main deck. All the men wer
talking earnestly. 1t was ominous tina
they should cease their conversatio
the instant she appeared. One ma
may conceal his fears. hut twenty car
not.
She brushed away the tears deter
mindedly and looked at the boat, a
ready white speck on the green cal
nay distinctly. Some magnetic impuls
must have gone out from her. becaus
she had not been watching him longe
than couple OF seconds when h
turned and waved his hand. She re
piled instantly. futtering handkel
chief. poor girl, long after II becam
impossible for her to distinguish whetf
er or not he returned her signals.
At last she turned to Mr. Boyle, VIII
was nearest to her.
"Who Is sitting next to Captain Cou'
tenay?" she asked, and she had a fee
ing impression that he was anxious &c
her to speak, so quickly did ne answc
"Tollemache. He Skinned down tn