Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-12


happiness was left in life. She had felt sorry for
him, in purely abstract way, and now he rewarded
her misplaced sympathy by. false claim Of utterly
the manner in which he accepted her humane inter
est in him. he could break his hateful neck and well
come! She would look on calmly-when he
lay there white and still-and say. without one
single tremor Of her lip:
Captain Joe, remove that body. IT you please
and steer the yachts course point or two nor by
west
In this placid and complacent frame of mind
she was approached by Beasey. He was literally
wreathed in smiles. He bowed before her deter
entialy.
Miss Valda" he said before we make port I
think the decks ought to be holystoned: 1t isn't
absolutely necessary; but it might look better
The mate paused. then continued with Difference
oozing out of every pore of his red skim So
thought I'd just and ask if you had any pref.
erence as to what man to be put the work !"
For an instant Valda regarded him through half
closed eyes, as if about to read him a lecture on
moral degeneracy; but in the instant she saw
mental picture of certain daredevil Waiting across
four-inch truss and her point of view shifted
why, no. she answered sweetly; that detail
is entirely within your own jurisdiction, and nave
no desire to interfere in anyway Most certainly
our decks should be hoystoned thoroughly! Kindly
see to it, Mr. Beasley."
Thank you," returned the deferential mate, and
went away rubbing his big red hands.
Valda continued to sit at the far end OF the yacht
brooding over another matter, which occupied her
mind and had done for two whole days. Morson-
Brown accepted his present position with species
of bland serenity, which, to say the least, puz
cling If his story of the robbery was true, then
why did he seem to take interest in his loss? IT,
house official on the trail of Orrnond and Tracy
then why did he not confront these men with the
charge Of smuggling, and force them. in the name
of the law to disgorge the goods Instead OF dong
nish masts and polish rails. or to forgather with
common seamen and willingly desecrate the sacred
of caste.
HOWEVER, when intelligent people want lntorrna-
II tion the best thing to do is to straight after it,
so Valda sighed and went in search OF Morson-
Brown finding him engaged in gymnastlc labors
at the very tip end of the bowsprt. She had no
inclination to talk to him, of course but this was
business matter concerning her own interests which
she had perfectly legitimate right to investigate
AS to the manner of investigation, she would treat
him with that dgnied superiority which is emlnently
proper in a master that controls the bodies minds,
and souls of those who sail the seas and 60 down
in ships
Brown she said, "come here"
Brown He came with alacrity, but with
due respect to the being that had summoned him.
Also he removed his sailor hat and pulled his fore
lock-
Valda was furious Clearly this beast was laugh
ing at her He took satanic delight in it; though,
to judge by his solemn and submissive mien he
might have been born of the humblest orr gin, hav
ing all ambition completely warped in early youth
Miss Girard herself was an aristocrat, by birth
and station. 1t not for her to demean her
standards by noticing such bourgeois antics IN a
servant In fact, she did not notice him at all,
Brown" she said, "for man in your position,-a
that claims to have lost everything on EARTH
you seem to be taking matters rather coolly."
And why shouldn't T., he asked when every
thing is coming my way?'
She did not speak, but looked a permit for his
explanations; he hitched his trousers and en-
ightened her:
vernacular of the class into which she had forced
him, Il know to certainty that my swag is on
board your yacht Just where, is of course ques-
c~I 1o%o~ Tt bor