The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-05-07


told he took some part OF the insur'
ance on his own account" he explain
ed. "But he was memb ber Of Barings
copper syndicate and indeed was spo
ken of as a mining engineer Of high
repute. Believe me. was not jump.
ing to conclusions on that account"
II know him to be very bad man, "
said Elsie slowly. Her face was white
and her eyes downcast. 1t was evil
dent that the sudden introduction of
yentana's personality was distressing
to her, but Courtenay, preoccupied
with the dastardly attempt made to
sink his ship, did not observe this fea-
ture of a peculiar discussion.
bad! In what sense, Miss Max.
well?" he asked unguardedly.
'1n the most loathsome sense. He is
evil minded, vicious, altogether detesta.
bic. II Mr.. Barring knew his charac-
ter as know II, ventana would not be
allowed to enter his Office"
Pedro ventana" interrupted Chris
tobal. rs he a half caste, tall. brown
skinned man, who affects an American
drawl when he speaks English-a man
prominent in Santiago society and in
mining circles generality
YES" said Elsie.
"That is odd, exceedingly SO. l once
heard rumor-but perhaps 1t Is un
o. t. <n In
Yet It cannot hurt any one II ! state
that Isobel Barring and he were well,
how shall l put it?-at any rate, there
was lively summer hotel sort Of at
tachment between them"
'Tsobel has never told me that" said
Elsie, nerving herself for personal
disclosure which was obviously dis
agreeable. II own small ranch near
Quillota, and as there was chance OF
copper being located there Mr.. Barring
advised me to employ Ventana rs an
expert prospector. Indeed, Mr.. Barring
himself sent Ventana to examine the
property and report on It. He came to
see me. He told me there were no
minerals Of value on my land, but ]
could never free myself from him aft
erward. In fact am running away
from him now"
She uttered the concluding words
with genuine indignation which
forthwith evaporated In Its uncon-
scious humor. Everybody laughed,
even the girl herself. and Boyle grunt
ed:
"Huh-shows the beggars good taste
anyhow"
Courtenay perhaps thought that II he
encountered ventana again he would
take the opportunity to reason with
him In the approved manner OF the
high seas. And as there was no need
to prolong topic which caused Elsie
any sort OF embarrassment be hasten
ed TO say:
II have brought names into the dis
cussion largely 10 show what doubt
ful field Is opened once we begin To
suspect without real cause. The only
witness Of any value we have on board
Is Frascuelo, and his evidence merely
goes to prove secret design to inter.
fere with or control the trimming OF
The bunker. That particular hatch
must be sealed and the specimens we
have securei put away under lock and
key. I feel assured that the remainder
of our coal Is above suspicion. We
,sn carry the inquiry no further while
we remain here. Now, Mr.. Walker.
vou have something OF a more cheer
ing nature 10 communicate. think"
The engineer grinned genially.
II don't wish TO bind myself TO a
lay or So Miss Maxwell and gentle
men," he said, "but I've had a good
ook at the damage. an feel pwitty
,hu-aw I'll get up steam In one boii-aw
within ten days or fawtnigbt It'll
be a makeshift Job at the best be-
.ause I have so few spaaw nttins an
10 chance OF maxim castin'. but
bet a ye'aw's pay the Kansas gets
move on her undaw her own steam
,oon aftaw New Ye-aw's day."
New Years dayi What lump in
be throat the words brought! Ia three
lays 1t would be Christmas, In seven
more the new yeari Though from the
Of the voyage they were pre-
pared 10 pass both festivals at sea.
here was all the difference in the
world between steady progress TO
ward home and friends and the pres
.nt plight OF the Kansas. Death. too.
lad thrown It's shadow over them.
,ome there were to whom the passing
u the years would mean no more 10
his world Others. the great majority
4 the ships company. were probably
.ldden by the same eternal silence.