Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-08-26
CHAPTER vIII.-tcOntipued,

~pon't you think that girl who's en-
used TO one man ought to tell other men
pT
She drew back sharply and faced me
with astounded eyes.
why, what do you mean, Mr.. Sell
denf"
| was in for it, so plunged ahead
THAT day you came to the Ship, had no
idea" blundered on. II did not know
rou were such friend of Islip's."
We'll" she said, ''and now that you
knOt?"
Il think you should have told me.
ought to have known before that after
noon"
She was haughtiness itself. "why,
what affair was it of yoursT
shrugged my shoulders II was enti-
tied to know
II cannot understand why. What
makes you think that Mr.. Islip and r.
she hesitated a second-''are such old
friends?"
OF sudden we were in a very nasty
tempest, facing each other.
II happened to see his picture In your
lOcket 1t was lying open, face upward"
She did not even tap her foot; she sim
ply sat still and looked her Indignation
at me.
Really, Mr.. Selden, l cannot see how
that affects you. What reason could there
be for telling you my personal affairs?"
/ stuck doggedly at it. II think 1
should have been told" / repeated.
She gave me a single glance, then rose.
~ am going back TO the Penguin Club"
she said.
Irose also. Every good. 1 will see you
there"
"NO;" she turned to me sharply. 81
prefer to go back alone"
She was imperious could be equally
So
"And prefer to go with you. The
pines are lonely, and it is growing late.
! owe at least that duty to your aunt"
Then she tapped her foot impatiently,
angrily. "You are very tiresome. Mr..
Selden. / am my own mistress. and / do
not want your company"
And will not let you go back alone"
"You are very rude" She looked over
at the beach as If for some possible help.
rs there no one elseT' she asked aloud.
There came a voice from the cabin
steps behind me. IF you will permit
me, mademoiselle, / should esteem it
great honor"
We both started as if we were shot,
and faced about A tall, somewhat angu-
lar man stood before us, hat in hand, bow
Ing low to Miss Graham.
Il heard your question" he said. "and
took it on myself to answer it. Permit
me-" He stepped forward and placed
himself at the girls side.
who are your / asked, all amaze
ment, for was surprised out Of my wits.
MY name is Pierre DupoDceau." the
stranger said. ignoring me and addressing
Miss Graham, "and count myself fortu-
nate IN coming on lady in Distress"
We both stood still, taking in the queer
hgure Never had l seen a man Just
like him. He was dressed all in black.
but his clothes were singularly rich and
Of strange pattern. From his shoulders
hung black cloak held under his chin
BY two heavily wrought gold chains.
Across his open waistcoat. which was
black satin lowered in white, were three
gold chains. and there were rings on his
fingers. Moreover, his manner was
strange, exotic, polished to a degree, and
bis voice had peculiar. fascinating for
elgn softness that / had never heard in
any other man. His height was over six
ieet. | recognized the figure that l had
seen in the storm.
de was smiling easily, the least per-
turbed of the three Permit me, made
noiselle," he repeated, and offered Miss
Graham his arm.
She shot one glance at me, and then,
nall smiling, placed her hand on his arm
90 he led her across the deck to the lad
der. 1.
i was still dumb with surprise. l saw
,ae man in black leap to the path, help
MISS Graham down the ladder, cross the
a,useway, and disappear with her behind
me cliff. Then / sat down on a chair.
was awake or dreaming? A man had
come out of the Ship at a crucial mo-
ment' and a man who, my instinct told
me- was not Of our age or people. / no
icnger recognized Alastair; was begin
-ng even to doubt my sober self.
nTr