Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-20
copyright-By Bobbs, Merrill Co.
CHAPTER xvI-(continued.)
BY LOUIS JOSEPH VAN

CHAPTER XVl-(Contlnued
"And there we are" commented
Kirkwood in Fictitious resignation.
IF we're obliged to stop overnight in
Brussels, our friends will be on our
back before we can get out in the
morning, If they have to come by mo-
tor car" He reflected bitterly on the
fact that with but little more money
at his disposal, he too could hire a
motor car and cry defiance to their
prosecutors However he amend
ed, with rising spirits, $50 much the
better our chance Of losing Mr. Hobbs.
We must be ready to drop Off the In
slant the train stops"
He began to unfold another time
table, threatening again to lose him
self completely; and was thrown into
the utmost confusion by the touch OF
the girls hand, in appeal placed lighs-
ly on his own And had she been oh.
servant she might have seen a second
time his knuckles whiten beneath the
skin as he asserted his self-control---
though this time not over his temper
His eyes, doubly eloquent, turned to
meet hers. She was smiling.
"Please!" she iterated, with the least
I
ing the folder aside.
81 beg pardon?" he muttered blank,
ly.
.'Is it quite necessary, now, to study
those schedules? Haven't you decided
to try for the Bruges eXpress?"
Why, yes, but
Then please don't leave me to my
thoughts all the time, Mr. kirkwood I"
There was a tremor of laughter in her
voice, but her eyes were grave and
earnest. I'm weary of thinking
round in a circle-and that she con-
cluded, with nervous little laugh.
sis all I've had to do for days
I'm afraid I'm very stupid he
hundred her. This is the econd time
you know. in the course of very brief
acquaintance, that you have found it
necessary to remind me to talk 10
you"
"Oh-h!" She frightened. ''That
night at the Pless? But that was ages
ago!"
ut seems so" he admitted.
So much has happened"
YES" he assented vaguely
She watched him. a, little piqued by
his absent-minded mood, for mo-
ment; then, and not without a trace
of malice: Must 1 tell you again
what to talk about?" she asked.
Forgive me. I was thinking about,
II not talking to, you. I've
been wondering just why it was that
you left the Alethea at Queensbor.
ough, to 60 on by steamer"
And Immediately he was sorry that
boI tba
versation to bear upon her father, the
thought Of whom could not but prove
painful to her. But it was too late to
mend matters; already her evanescenr
flush OF amusement had given place
to remembrance.
1t was on my fathers account she
told him in steady voice, but with
averted eyes; he is a very poor
sailor, and the promise of a rough
passage terrified him. I believe there
was difference of opinion about it,
he disputing with Mr.. Mulready and
Captain Stryker. That was just after
we had left the anchorage. They
both insisted that it was safer to con
tinue by the Alethea, but he wouldn't
listen to them, and in the end had his
way. Captain Striker ran the brig
antine into the mouth of the Midway
and put US ashore just in time to catcl
the steamer"
Were you sorry for the changer"
II" She shuddered slightly
Hardly! I think I hated the shil
from the moment I set foot on board
her. 1t was dreadful place; it was
all night-marish, that night but i
seemed most terrible on the Alethel