The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-07-03
Continued from page @

there was nothing unreasonable in the
mere fact that certain Chilean nam
ed Ventana, who had business rela-
tions with Mr.. Barring, should make
the acquaintance of Isobel Baring's
friend. AS quickly as it had arisen
the feeling of strangeness passed.
Courtenay even laughed. Elsie as
the Jonah of the ship was a quaint
(conceit
w 81 mentioned ventana because was
told he took some part of the insur-
ance on his own account" he explain
ed. But he was member of Baring's
copper syndicate and indeed was spo-
ken of as q mining engineer ofs high
repute. Believe me, l was not jump
ing to conclusions on that account"
81 know him to be a very bad man."
said Elsie slowly. Her face was white
and her eyes downcast 1t was evil
dent that the sudden introduction of
Ventana's personality was distressing
to her, but Courtenay, preoccupied
with the dastardly attempt made to
sink his ship, did not observe this fea-
ture of peculiar discussion.
bad! In what sense, Miss Max
well?" he asked unguardedly.
'In the most loathsome sense. He is
evil minded, vicious, altogether detesta-
BILE. If Mr.. Barring knew his charac-
ter as know it, Ventana would not be
allowed to enter his Office"
PEDRO Ventana?" interrupted Chris
tobal SIS he half caste, tall, brown
81; WIZ Of A mo Ton =,
drawl when he speaks English-a man
prominent in Santiago society and in
mining circles generality"
EYES," said Elsie.
'"That is odd, exceedingly so. 1 once
heard rumor-but perhaps 1t is I'M
fair to mention it in this connection.
Yet it cannot hurt any one If l state
that Isobel Barring and he were-well
how shall / put it?-at any rate, there
was lively summer hotel sort of at
tachment between them"
"Isobel has never told me that" said
Elsie, nerving herself for q personal
disclosure which was obviously dis
agreeable. 81 own small ranch near
Quillota, and as there was a chance OF
. copper being located there Mr.. Barring
advised me to employ Ventana as an
expert prospector. Indeed, Mr.. Barring
himself sent Ventana to examine the
property and report on it. He came to
see me. He told me there were no
minerals of value on my land, but |
could never free myself from him aft
erward- In fact, l am running away
from him now"
She uttered the concluding words
with a genuine indignation which
forthwith evaporated in its uncon-
sclous humor. Everybody laughed,
even the girl herself, and Boyle grunt-
ed:
"Huh-shows the beggar's good taste
anyhow"
Courtenay perhaps thought that if he
encountered Ventana again he would
take the opportunity to reason with
him in the approved manner of the
high seas. And as there was no need
to prolong topic which caused Elsie
any sort of embarrassment he hasten
ed to say:
IL have brought names into the dis
cussion largely to show what a doubt
full field is opened once we begin to
suspect without real cause. The only
witness of any value we have on board
Is Frascuelo, and his evidence merely
goes to prove q secret design to inter-
fere with or control the trimming Of
the bunker. That particular hatch
must be sealed and the specimens We
have secured put away under lock and
key. feel assured that the remainder
of our coal is above suspicion. We
can carry the inquiry no further while
we remain here. Now, Mr.. Walker
you have something Of a more cheer
ing nature to communicate think"
The engineer grinned genially.
81 don't wish to bind myself to q
day or so, Miss Maxwell and gentle
men," he said, "but I've had q good
look at the damage, an feel pwitty
shu-aw I'll get up steam in one boi-aw
within ten days or fawtnight. It'll
be makeshift job at the best, be-
cause l haze so few spa-aw fttin's m
GO chance of maxim castin', but I'll
bet a ye'aw's pay the Kansas gets a
move on her undaw her own steam
soon aftaw New Ye-aw's day"
New Years day! What q lump in
the throat the words brought In three
days it would be Christmas, in seven
more the new year! Though from the
beginning of the voyage they were pre-
pared to pass both festivals ut sea,
there was all the difference in the
world between q steady progress to-
ward home and friends and the pres
ent plight of the Kansas. Death, too.
had thrown its shadow over them.
Some there were to whom the passing
of the years would mean no more in
this world Others, the great majority
of the ships company. were probably
hidden by the same eternal silence.
The last sight they had of them was
dim vision of boats rushing into q
chaos of angry seas and sheeted spray.
But Courtenay would have none Of
these mournful memories. isn't that
glorious news?' he cried. Nov, Chris
tobal, that motor trip in June through
the Pyrenees looks feasible once more.
And you. Miss Maxwell. though you
have never quailed for an instant, can
hope to be In England in the spring.