, 1909-04-15

hCtSOAy WY DtSP uutll
he finally vanished into the b~lackness
below. The chances were strong that
I should hear from him later, but In
the meantime my interest veered to
the excellent dinner being served. The
lieutenant would have his turn. and.
p%erchance. bring me swift release
from all my troubles on the morrow.
The English party still remained at
their table lingering over the dessert.
but I noticed that conversation had
lapsed. and precious little eating was
being done. Evidently only the require.
ments OF good form held them to their
places. the elderly gentleman especial-
ly denoting his nervousness by con.
tinual side-glances about the long
room. I overheard him mutter some.
thing indfsffnctly regarding having
left his pistol upstairs. and 1t was
plainly apparent he felt thoroughly
ashamed of hfs late p~assiveness under
insult. Madame was flushed and IN.
easy. angry still over the episode. and
greatly inclined to sputter now that
all real danger had passed; but the
younger m merely toyed with her
spoon In silence, her eyes downcast
her cheeks devoid OF their previous
color. She made a fair picture. the
brilliant light overhead flooding her
dark hair. and 1t was not in Young
human nature to refrain from gazine
at her through the invitingly open win.
dow. Finally they all pushed back
their chairs TO retire. and. as she
glanced up while rising to her feet.
our ewes met fairly, and a warm wave
Of color swept across the uplifted. sen.
sitive face. The next instant, yielding
apparently to some sudden impulse of
gratitude. she stepped through the
open window. and stood beside me
with extended hand.
"Senor." she :: 81 sue. 49, 8 b-n', y
Spanish very pre- It was e-:r p.
ly kind OF you 10 asst in r,.-o =
thai horrible a aad | cannot cav.
without some expression of my g.ati.
tude."
was uron my feet instantly. bow
ing before her as to a queen. yet fre.-
ing a strange embarrassment.
THAT incident was nothing. SEM
ia insisted. yet venturing TO Loo
directly into the depths of those dark
gray eyes, SO intensely stu .yiAg NY
face III or the dim li.h. OF Tie l..
terms. 81 did no more ,ha, any VA
would consider a Irlliie y. | reuli. /
you had no younger protector II
hand"
She glanced around toward the o u.
ers of her rgrty. now also uion t. r
feet. and gazing out at us in u4g!s
guised a. azeml, ut.
No" she explained. as thon "A +.
unwilling apology: he /! p.- .i ,...
age wh~r, he can 81. +. IA Az
strength With r~ueian.sm. 1t is net
lack of courage, senor bat of bs..
vigCr."
"A tire o. life WIZ m. 81 cow =
all of ~" r.tm"iei. h ". at
] rn 'eAce Is not me- ~.rlv ".c,
Yet bt lieve I'VE. senraila. | al ely /! a..
al,riy re paid for my u.tle rar. n ~
CON dy of errors hv yIu seii e uf
ogniti"n ari words OF THANKS. "
ire English? ?"
Yer eyes fell 81 h ". the Ic-
lash,s clearly outlined against tEt
white he sh.
"l.s sencr." she replied. softly. "ws
are Eo",ish travellers or pieasr'e.
Our Yacht lies anchored in the h.lgpcr
b, low"
| imagined she was tempted to in
cure who | might be. hut, while sh
stood he~sitating. uncertain of the pro
priety of so personal a question. tn,
spare. stiff figure of the Englishman
appeared suddenly in the open case
ment. For a moment of silence his
cold eyes surveyed MS both with mani
fest disspproval.
Doris" he spoke at last. his words
cold and stern. 1T would have been
proper to permit me to express our
natural gratitude to this young gentls-
man."
She drew aside quietly. n no