The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-06-04
CHAPTER XVII.

room. and there Elsie sat with
her little while soothing her as on,
might comfort child In pain,
Isobel. stupcned by some haunting
knowledge which appeared TO have q
vague connection with the misfortunes
of the Kansas. yielded 10 Elsie's gentle
eOmpulsion and endeayored 10 close
her eyes.
Through the open port Elsie heard
man walk rapidly along the deck and
halt outside the door. She half rose
from her knees 10 answer the expected
knock, thinking that Mrs. Someryille
had sent steward 10 ascertain II Miss
Barring needed. anything. but the new
conner evidently changed his mind and
turned back. Then came Courtenay's
voice. low, but compelling:
"one moment. NJ. de Poincilit. A
word with you"
Another time. m'sieu' | pray you
pardon me now. ] find am not strong
enough yet to venture on deck"
"0h, yes. you are, m'sieu'. want tt
give you the chance Of your life. Mr.
Gray has told me OF your behavior
and he charitably added that your COW
ardice and treachery might have arisen
from ungoyernable fear. Now, II you
wish TO atone for your conduct. here is
an opportunity. | 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. VIII you volunteer 10
take an oar? That would whitewash
your weather marks"
1T Is impossible ! am too feeble.
cannot row"
"Ah, you swinel Can II be possible
that you are q Frenchmani What sort
OF countship is IL you boast Off
"Sir, am passenger on this ship
Courtenay's voice was raised little
'Mr. Boyle" he said, give orders
that II this skunk shows his nose In
side the salon again be Is TO be kicked
out. He can eat his meals In his state
room or In the fore cabin with the 9th
er sayages."
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 OF the boat
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 Poincillt what the outcome OF
the undertaking might be? She found
Isobel looking at her with frightened
eyes.
"Did you hear?" came the tense
whisper.
yes"
"And you are content to let him go?'
"Ah, God. Yes, content"
but 1t is folly. He is the captain
He should not go. We have risked
enough already Who are these men
for whose sake he leaves you and oil
OF usT'
Il know not, nor do greatly care
May heaven help me and them. We
are his first care. Let 1t be mine to
leave him unhindered In the task he
has undertaken.
Isobel was cowed into silence. Ell
sizes hero worship had reached a
height beyond her comprehension. She
would never understand how wo-
man who loved man could send him
voluntarily TO his death, and her shall
low mind did not contemplate the pos
sibllity 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 sharp
command "Give way there and the
plash OF oars told them that the boat
had really started on Its journey shore
ward. Then Isobel, glancing furtively
at her companion, saw the tears steal
ing down her cheeks, and the situation
came back from the transcendental to
that which was intelligible to her low
er ideals.
Il am sorry" she whispered. catch
Ing Elsie's hand timidly. Il said what
thought was for the best. At any
rate. II Is teo late now"
Too late. The other girl groped
bllndly for the door. She felt that she
would yield 10 the strain II she did no,
20 on deck and catch parting glimpse
OF the man who had become dearer e
her than life itself
On the poop she found Boyle, Chris
tohal, Gray and Walker. A number
OF Chlleans were leaning over the rails
Of the main deck. All the men were
talking earnestly. II was omlnous that
they should cease their conversation
the instant she appeared. One man
may conceal his fears, but twenty can
not
She brushed away the tears deter
mindediy 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 impulse
must have gone out from her. because
she had not been watching him longer
than couple OF seconds when he
turned and waved his hand She re
piled instantly. finttering handker
chief, poor girl. long after IL became
impossible for her TO distinguish wheth
er or not be returned her signals.
Al last she turned 10 Mr. Boyle, wins
was nearest 10 her.
who Is sitting next 10 Captain cour
ienayy' she asked, and she had n neet
Ing impression that be Was anxious fol
her 10 speak. so quickly did be answer
'.Tcllemache. lie Skinned down The
ladder M the first volunteer. Tbs
skipper ordered him TO set out, but b,
said he was deaf. Anyhow. I'm glad
be Is there. courtensy ought TO have
one sure enough white man By hi'
side"
.And what are they siieinpiingT
Huh. It's a bold plan, an I'm mo-
gosn' 10 condemn II on that account
Have you beard this inornin's news
how suefwr found out from the In