The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-07-17


ting was a small spar and a block, to
which a line and an iron bar were at.
tached.. The men looked strange III
her eyes at that distance. In the mar
velously clear light she could see their
features distinctly, and when Courte-
nay shouted to sailor to haul in the
slack Of the line she caught trumpet
like ring that recalled the scene in the
salon when he held back the mob of
stewards. His athletic figure, silhou-
cited against the shimmering green of
the water, was instinct with graceful
strength. He looked born leader of
men, and, as though to mark his quick
ness Of observation, no sooner had
Elsie glanced over the side of the ship
than he waved q hand to her.
She sighed. A bitter thought peeped
up in her that he was perhaps trifle
careless in showing her these little at
tentions. She wished he would speak
to her of that other girl who awaited
him in England. A pleasant state of
confidence would be established then.
These secret witches Of sentiment
were irritating.
She walked aft to obtain a nearer
view of the operations. The sailors
had already shut in large portion of
the promenade deck with canvas, and
she noticed that loopholes were pro-
vided every ten feet or so to permit the
effective use of the defenders firearms.
Thus at each step she was reminded
Of the precarious hold she had on life,
and she was positively frightened
when some mad impulse surged
through her whole being, bidding her
imperiously to abandon her ultra con-
scientious loyalty to woman she had
never seen. Why struggle against cir
cumstance? If death were so near,
what did she gain by prudery?
For an instant she stood aghast at
the revelation which had come to her.
She was in love with Courtenay. She
was ready to die by his side, fearless
and joyous, If only he would put his
arms AROUND her and tell her that she
was dear to him. All, the fierce delight
of that first silent surrender! Her
heart beat as 1t had meyer pulsed be-
fore, even under the stress of the
storm or the sudden terror Of the
night attack. Her eyes shone, and her
breath came laboriously between parted
lips. Golden dreams coursed through
her brain. She was thrilled with an
unutterable longing.
Then her swimming eyes rested on a
1f CO h.
Among them was Christobal interest
ed, like the rest, in the floating of the
mine. And forthwith Elsie fell from
the clouds and was brought back,
shuddering, TO cold reason again. She
was sick at heart. She hated herself
for her self abasement. She must grid
her with sackcloth and mourn, and
the fight must be fought now without
parley or hesitation unless the sweet
ness were to go forth from life forever
and all things turn to ashes in her
mouth.
So, marshaling the best qualities Of
her womanhood, she quelled the tur.
MOL in her breast. forced herself to
join the meh on the after deck and
said when the smiling Spaniard turned
to receive her:
where do they mean to put the sec
ond contrivanceT
About there" he said, indicating a
point on the surface of the bay east
ward or the canoe. His right arm was
extended, and he placed his left hand
on her shoulder. Courfenay, halling
Walker, saw the two leaning over the
rails in that attitude. Perhaps one Of
the two hoped that Courtenay would