Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-16

hing was a small spar and a block, to
which line and an iron bar We're at
tached. The men, looked strange in
her eyes at that distance In the mar
yelously clear light she could see their
features distinctly, and when Courte-
nay shouted to a sailor to haul in the
slack of the line she caught a 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 a born leader of
men, and, as though to mark his quick
Elsie glanced over the side of the ship
than he waved hand TO her.
She sighed. A bitter thought peeped
up In her that he was perhaps trife
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 twitches 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-
yided 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 a 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
he revelation which had come TO her.
She was In love with Courtenay. She
was ready 10 die by his side, fearless
and joyous, IL only he would put his
frms around her and tell her that she
vas dear TO him. All, the fierce delight
heart beat as 1t had never 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
fps. Golden dreams cOursed through
her brain. She was thrilled with an
1nutterable longing
Then her swimming eyes rested on a
group Of men standing on the poop.
Among them was Christobal. interest
sd, like the rest. in the floating Of the
mine. And forthwith Elsie fell from
the clouds and was brought back.
shuddering. 10 cold reason again. She
vas sick at heart She hated herself
Tor her self abasement. She must grid
1er with sackclOth and mourn, and
he fight must ne fought now without
barley or hesitation unless the sweet
less were to 20 forth from life forever
aud all things turn to ashes In her
.ssuth.
So. marshaling the best qualities OF
ser womanhood. she uueIled the tur-
sol in her breast. forced herself IN
s,siu the men on the after deck AMI
aid when the smiling Spaniari turned .
% receive her.
where DO they mean TO put the sec
fad contrivaBcey'
~AAout there he said. indicating q
point on the surface of the bay east
ward Of the canoe His right arm was
and be placed his left hand /.
"a her shoulder Courtenay. hafiin.
Walker. saw Tire tne IeznInG over the
raIIs in that attitude Perhaps one %
sss tuo hu-v--l that Ca1rtenav you'll
Zee them Este. a. part q her pm
did not shrink away. tlouSh
the touch % ChrfStoIaTs hand made /
her flesh creep Bat Joey. whose mind
Vas singulzrly free from conplexItiss.
lsapal Up at her He wanted Elsie 70
ieI him what Courteaay wzs dong
at there. 80 far aEay from the ship
So ssoope,i and TtckesI him ID. CHRIS
loszl had no e1cuse for = seco1d ca
re<z
Barr. Jcey,- Sc whispered Tara
. 7