The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-08-14

CONTINUED from last week.
CHAPTER XVII.

erville supported her 10 the state
room, and there Elsie sat with
her little while soothing her as one
might comfort child in pain.
Isobel, stupefed by some haunting
knowledge which appeared to have a
vague connection with the misfortunes
Of the Kansas, yielded to Elsie's gentle
compulsion and endeavored to close
her eyes.
Through the open port Elsie heard a
man walk rapidly along the deck and
halt outside the door. She half rose
from her knees to answer the expected
knock, thinking that Mrs. Somerville
had sent a steward to ascertain If Miss
Barring needed anything, but the new
Conner evidently changed his mind and
turned back. Then came Courtenay's
voice, low, but compelling:
zone moment. NJ. de Poincilit. A
word with you"
Another time, m'sieu'. l pray you
pardon me now. l find am not strong
enough yet to venture on deck"
"Oh, yes, you are, m'sieu'. 1 want to
Gray has told me of your behavior,
md he charitably added that your cow
hrdice and treachery might have arisen
from ungovernable fear. Now, if you
wish to atone for your conduct here is
an opportunity. 1 am taking a boat
ashore to try to save some of my men
who are imprisoned there. There is a
fair risk in the venture. The outcome
may be death Will you volunteer to
take an oar? That would whitewash
your weather marks"
1T is impossible. I am too feeble.
cannot row."
"Ah, you swine! Can it be possible
that you are Frenchman? What sort
of countship is it you boast Off"
"Sir, am passenger on this ship
Courtenay's voice was raised little.
"Mr. Boyle" he said, give orders
that if this skunk shows his nose in
side the salon again he is to be kicked
out. He can eat his meals in his state
room or In the fore cabin with the 9TH
er savages."
Elsie heard every word. She fancied,
too, that Isobel was listening, though
she gave no sign. But the unknown
cause of the captains anger was as
naught compared with the statement
that he was about to leave the ship.
She had heard the lowering VI -
without needing. He was already
climbing down the ships side. Soon
he would be far from her, perhaps new
er to return, for he was not one to
paint imaginary ills, and had he not
told De Poincilit what the outcome of
the undertaking might be? She found
Tsobel looking at her with frightened
eyes.
"Did you hear" came the tense
whisper. 100.
EYES,"
"And you are content to let him go"'
"Ah, God! Yes, content"
"But it is folly. He is the captain
He should not go. We have risked
enough already. Who are these men
Tor whose sake he leaves you and all
# usy'
IT know not, nor do greatly care.
May heaven help me and them. We
ire his first care. Let 1t be mine to
leave him unhindered in the task he
has updertaken."
Isobel was cowed into silence. FL
hes hero worship had reached q
height beyond her comprehension. She
would never understand how wO
man who loved a man could send him
voluntarily to his death, and her shall
low mind did not contemplate the pos
sibility Of Courtenay's refusing to be
swayed by any other consideration
than that which his conscience told
him was right.
Thus at arms length, as 1t were, they
waited until they caught the sharI
command "Give way there" and the
plash of oars told them that the boa
had really started on ITS journey shore
ward. Then Isobel, CHANGING furtivel
at her companion, saw the tears steal
ing down her cheeks, and the situation
came back from the transcendental t
that which was ineligible to her low
err ideals.
81 am sorry" she whispered. catch
ing Elsie's hand timidly. II said wha
thought was for the best. At an.
rate, it is too late now"
Too late! The other girl grope,
blindly for the door. She felt that sh
would yield to the strain IL she did no
go on deck and catch parting glimps
Of the man who had become dearer t
her than life itself.
On the poop she found Boyle, Chris
tobal, Gray and Walker. A humble
of Chileans were leaning over the rail
of the main deck. All the men wer
talking earnestly. 1t was ominous tina
they should cease their conversation
the instant she appeared. One maj
may conceal his fears. but twenty car
not.
She brushed away the tears deter
mindedly and looked at the boat, al
ready a white speck on the green car
pet of the bay. She could see Courte
nay distinctly. Some magnetic impuls
must have gone out from her, becaus
she had not been watching him longe
than a couple of seconds when b
turned and waved his hand. She r.
piled instantly. nuttering a handkeH
chief. Door girl. long after It becam