Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-06-11

on the uecK."
Il hope not for our Chieans' sake"
laughed Courtenay. II heard NJ Boyle
telling them TO sweep " ,sii,, and they
were hard at work when I went to my
cabin"
"Oh, is that where you hid yoursef2
NO wonder | could not find you. or
course Joey knew where You were.
How stupid Of me-"
please don't call yourself names.
Elsie. You don't deserve them. And,
by the way, may address you by your
Christian name? 1t slipped out today
unawares. Not that feel like apollo
giving, because | don't. There are
times when the heart speaks, not the
guarded tongue"
Luckily the darkness covered the hot
blush which leaped to her cheeks. She
gave n nervous little laugh and strove
desperately to parry this wholly un-
expected assault.
Il shall be delighted If you always
call me Elsie. 1t sounds friendly. and
| think our circumstances warrant q
true friendship
Excellent! suppose you know that
my name Is Arthur?
Yes. but | had no notion Of that
sort of exchange. You are the captain.
and a very serious sort of captain at
times feel like little girl when
you look at me and tell me not to be
naughty, so Elsie sounds all right,
but simply dare not call you Arthur
Just imagine what sensation It
would create in the salon. should
feel creepy all over. And hadn't we
better be-
ELSIE sni1 he. with q tender note
IN his voice which thrilled her like a
chord of exquisite music Il want to
tell you something. The knowledge Is
forced on me that there is another man
on this ship who wishes to make you
his wife. but I. too. love yon. and see
no reason why should stand aside for
any man on Gods earth until you tell
me with your own lips that you prefer
him to me-"
oh gasped Elsie and oh again,
but not another word could she utter,
she who had been so vouble n moment
ago. The bitterswcet pain OF hearing
towering Her ideals Of honor and
truth were shocked, but she was wo-
man as well as an idealist, and she was
stirred to the depths Of her soul by the
knowledge that she had won the man
whose love she crave0.
II want you to listen to me. Elsie"
he said. with passionate intensity
that stilled the rising storm in her bos-
ON. "Dr. Chr!stobal may have plead
ed his own cause already. 1t Is not
for me to cavl at him for doing that,
but cannot lose you without word.
Whether you marry him or me o. nei-
Their Of us, l shall love you forever. l
discovery to me. think my heart
went out to you when carried you in
my arms through the gale. and since
that hour you and I have had expert
ences denied to most men and women
ere they reach the conclusion that they
are fit mates for the voyage OF life DO
you feel that sweetheart? Fave we
known each other ten days or ten
years."
His face was very near to hers now.
His arm was around her neck. 1t was
quite dark where they stood in the
shadow of the bridge. He could not
see the tears in her eyes, but he heard
her broken answer:
Are you-quite- falr-in using such
words to mc?"
"Fair, Elsie. Fair to whom"
Because oh. how can I tell you?
Are you free toto speak to me in this
way
elsie. am pledged TO no other wo-
man, If that Is what you mean. Who
has been telling you otherwiseT"
"No one Indeed indeed. alone am
to blame You will be angry with me.
but | could not help IT.
She could say no more II she had
uttered another syllable Just then she
would have broken down completely.
Courtenay placed his hand under her
chin and lifted her unresisting lips to
his. He kissed her twice and laughed
softly. with a glad confidence that sent
a wave of delight coursing through Ell
sizes veins.
"Sweetheart" ne whispered, II am
sure you would not have allowed me to
speak so plainly If you were going to
send me away. Now, I don't want you
to bind yourself rrevocably tonight
That would certainly not be fair,
don't know why | am to be angry or
what 1t was you couldn't help. and
don't care red cent. All want to
know is thisif the Kansas brings us
both back to the outer world once
more, have I as good a chance Of win
ming your love as any other MANI"
"But l must tell You. I could not
look you in the face II you did not hear
It. When I was left alone in your
cabin the second time and the sea
came in, packet of letters fell out OF
some clothes which I picked up from
the floor There was one from your
sister I hardly knew what was do
| ing, but saw her name, Madge,' and
| I read few words on 'he half page
above her signature"
| His left arm was now so we'll estab
lished that his hand touched her cheek
and he found 1t wet with tears
What wild conceit has crept into
your pretty little head?" he cried ir
amaze, unconsciously raising his voice
somewhat. "A letter from my sister