The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-02-06

TOR four days the Santa Maria
felt blindly through the white
fields. drifting north with the
L spring tide that sets through
Bering strait, till on the morning Of
the fifth open water showed to the east.
Creeping through, she broke out into
the last stage Of the long race. amid
the cheers Of her weary passengers,
and the dull jar of her engines made
welcome music TO the girl in the deck
stateroom. ).
Soon they picked up mountainous
coast which rose steadily into majestic,
barren ranges, still white with the
melting SHOWS, and at 10 in the even
ing, under a golden sunset, amid
screaming whistles. they anchored IN
the roadstead Of Nome. Before the
rumble Of her chains had ceased or
the echo from the fleets salute had died
from the shoreward bills the ship was
surrounded by a swarm Of tiny craft
clamoring about her iron sides. while
an officer In cap and gilt climbed the
bridge and greeted Captain Stephens.
Tugs with trailing lights circled dis
creetly about, awaiting the completion
Of certain formalitIes. These over, the
uniformed gentleman dropped back into
his skiff and rowed away.
"a clean bill of health, captain" he
shouted, saluting the commander.
Thank We. sir" roared the sailor,
and with that the rowboats swarmed
inward piratellke, boarding the steam
er from all quarters.
AS the master turned he looked down
from his bridge to the deck below full
into the face Of Dextry, who had been
an intent witness Of the meeting. With
unbending dignity Captain Stephens
let his left eyelid droop slowly. while
a boyish grin spread widely over his
face. simultaneously orders rang
sharp and fast from the bridge, the
crew broke into feverlsh life, the creak
of booms and the clank OF donkey
hoists arose.
We're here, Miss Stowaway.' said
Glenister. entering the girls cabin.
1.-The inspector passed us, and It's time
for you to see the magic city. Come
it's a wonderful sight"
This was the first time they had been
alone since the scene on the after deck.
for, besides ignoring Glenister. she had
managed that he should not even see
her except In Dextry's presence. Al
though he had ever since been court.
eous and considerate. she felt the leap
ing emotions that were hidden within
him and longed to leave the ship. to ny
from the spell Of his personality.
Thoughts of him made her writhe. and
yet when he was near she could not
hate him as she willed. He overpow-
cred her; he would not be hated; he
paid no heed to her sights. This very
quality reminded her how willingly
and unquestioningly he had fought on
the sailors from the Ohio at word
from her. She knew he would do 30
again, and more, and 1t is hard to be
bitter to one who would lay down his
life for you even though he has Of
Tended, particularly when he has the
magnetism that sweeps you away from
your moorings.
There's no danger Of being SEEN"
be continued. The crowds crazy,
and, besides. We'll 60 ashore right
away. You must be mad with the con-
finement. It's on my nerves too"
AS they stepped outside the door OF
an adjacent cabin opened, framing an
angular, sharp featured woman, who.
catching sight Of the girl emerging
from Glenister's stateroOm, paused,
with shrewdly narrowed eyes flashing
quick. malicious glances from one to
the other. They came later to remem-
Der with regret this chance encounter,
for 1t was fraught with grave results
for them both.
Good evening. Mr.. Glenister." the
lady said, with acid cordiality.
"Howdy, Mrs. ChampianT He
moved away.
She followed step, staring at Helen.
"Are you going ashore tonight or
wait for morningT
Don't know yet, Pm sure" Then
aside to the girl he muttered, "Shake
her; she's spying on u.s."
"WhO Is sheT' asked Miss Chester a
moment later.
"Her husband manages one Of the
big companies. She's an old cat"
Gaining her first view Of the land,
the girl cried out sharply. They rode
on an oily sea tinted like FURNISHED
copper, while on all sides, amid the
faint rattle and rumble Of machinery,
scores of ships were belching cargoes
out upon living swarms Of scows, tugs.
stern wheelers and dories. Here and
there Eskimo OOmiaks, fat, walrus hide
boats, slid about like huge, many leg
ged water bugs. An endless, antlike
. Ill ~ writ