The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-08-20
Time seemed to pause a little space.
ha,r5 n drooy, 0a

lime seemed 10 pause d lltllc bp0COs
| I heard dream go by"
"But out here in midocean little
boat with lateen sails wouldn't have
much show. And dreams passing over
the idea is pretty and is creditable te
your Imagination. But thought your
fancy was more militant. Now, fol
example, you like battle pictures" he
said. THAT was wonderful collec
tion of military and battle pictures
shown in Paris last winter"
She half withdrew her hand from his
arm and turned away. The sea winds
did not wholly account for the sudden
color in her cheeks. She had seen Ar
mitage in Paris-in cafes, at the opera,
but not at the great exhibition Of the
world famous battle pictures. yet un-
doubtedly he had seen her. and she
remembered with instant conscious
ness the hours of absorption she had
spent before those canvases.
II was in Paris during the exhibi-
tion," he said quietly. "Ormsby, the
American painter-the man who did
the High Tide at Gettysburg'-is an
acquaintance or mine"
"Ohw
It was Ormsby's painting that had
particularly captivated Shirley. She
! had returned to it day after day, and
the thought that Armitage had taken
advantage Of her deep interest in Pick
ett's charging gray line was annoying.
and she abruptly changed the subject.
Shirley had speculated much as to
the meaning Of Armitage's remark at
the carriage door in Geneva-that he
expected the slayer of the old Austrian
prime minister to pass that way. Armi-
tage had not referred to the crime in
any way in his talks with her on the
King Edward. Their conversations
had been pitched usually in light and
frivolous key. or, if one were disposed
to be serious, the other responded in a
note of levity.
They watched the lights of an east
bound steamer that was passing near.
The exchange of rocket signals-that
pretty and graceful parlS between
ships that pass iD the night-interested
them for a moment Then the deck
lights went out so suddenly it seemed
that dark curtain had descended and
shut them in with the sea.
Accident to the dynamo-we shall
have the lights on in moment!'
shouted the deck officer. who stood
near, talking to passenger.
''Shall we go in?" asked Armitage.
4 ic ~
ley. -..
For moment they were quite alone
on the dark deck. though they heard
voices near at hand.
They were groping their way toward
the main saloon. where they had left
Mr.. and Mrs. Claiborne. when Shirley
was aware of some one lurking near.
A figure seemed to he crouching close
by, and she felt it's furtive movements
and knew that it had passed, but re-
manned few feet away. Her hand
on Armitage's arm frightened.
"What is that? There is some one
following u.s." she said.
At the same moment Armitage, too,
became aware of the presence of a
STOPPING figure behind him. He stop
ped abruptly and faced about.
"Stand quite still. Miss Claiborne"
He peered about. and instantly, as
though waiting for his voice. tall
figure rose not yard from him and a
long arm shot high above his head
and descended swiftly. They were
close to the rail. and roll of the ship
sent Armitage off his feet and away
from his assailant. Shirley at the same
moment threw out her hands, defen-
sively or for support. and clutched the
arm and shoulder Of the man who had
assailed Armitage. He had driven a
knife at John Armitage and was pois-
ing himself for another attempt when
Shirley seized his arm. AS he drew
back a fold Of his cloak still lay in
Shirley's grasp, and she gave sharp
little cry as the figure, with a quick
jerk. released the cloak and slipped
away into the shadows. A moment
later the lights were restored. and she
saw Armitage regarding ruefully a
long slit in the left arm Of his ulster.
"Are you hurt? What has hap
pened?" she demanded
"It must have been a sea serpent >
he replied laughing
The deck officer regarded them curl
ously as they blinked in the glare OF
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II