Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1909-12-25
CHAPTER vIII.-(ContInusd.)

Don't you think that a girl who's en-
gagged to one man ought to tell other men
so?"
She drew back sharply and faced me
with astounded eyes.
"Why, what do you mean, Mr.. Sci
den2"
WAS in for It, so plunged ahead
THAT day you came to the Ship, / had no
idea," I Numbered on. II did not know
you were such friend Of Islip's."
WELL" she said, land now that you
know7"
II think you should have told me.
ought to have known before that after
noon"
She was haughtiness itself. why
what affair was 1t of yoursr
l shrugged my shoulders. II was emit
tied to know
81 cannot understand why. What
makes you think that Mr.. Islip and r.
she hesltated a second-"nre such old
friends?"
OF sudden we were In a very nasty
tempest, facing each other.
II happened to see his picture In your
iocket. 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, cannot see how
that affects you. What reason could there
be for telling you my personal affairs"
I stuck doggedly at It. 81 think
should have been told" I repeated.
She gave me single glance, then rose
II am going back to the Penguin Club,
she said.
l rose also. VERY good. will see you
there"
NO" she turned to me sharply. 81
prefer to go back alone"
She was imperious I could be equally
so.
"And I prefer to 60 with you. The
pines are lonely. and 1t is growing late
owe at least that duty to your aunt"
Then she tapped her foot impatiently
hngrily. "You are very tiresome. Mr.
Selden. I am my own mistress, and I dc
not want your company"
"And I will not let you 20 back alone
"You are very rude" She looked over
at the beach as II for some possible help
SIS there no one ese7" she asked aloud
There came a voice from the cabin
steps behind me. III you will permit
me. mademoselle. should esteem II q
great honor"
We both started as II we we're shot
and faced about A tall. somewhat angu
lar man stood before us. hat In hand. bow
ing low TO Miss Graham
IT heard your question:" he said. "and
took II on myself to answer II. Permit
me- He stepped forward and placed
himself at the girls side.
"Who are your I asked, all amaze
ment, for I was surprised out Of my wits
my name is Pierre Dupopceau," the
stranger said. ignoring me and addressing
Miss Graham, "and I count myself fortu-
nate In coming on lady In distress"
We both stood still, taking In the queer
figure. Never had I seen a man jus'
like him. He was dressed all In black
but his clothes were singularly rich and
Of strange pattern. From his shoulder,
hung a black cloSk held under his CHR
BY two heavily wrought gold chains
Across his open waistcoat, which wal
black satin Powered In white, were thre,
gold chains, and there were rings on hi,
fingers Moreover, his manner wal
strange, exotic, polished TO a degree, and
his voice had a peculiar, fascinating for
eign softness that had never heard ir
any other man. His height was over ST,
feet. recognized the figure that hat
seen In the storm.
He was smiling easily, the least per
turbed of the three. Permit me, made
moiselle," he repeated, and offered Miss
Graham his arm
She shot one glance at me, and then
half smiling, placed her hand on his arm
So he led her across the deck to the lad
der.
was still dumb with surprise saw
the man In black leap to the path, hell
Miss Graham down the ladder, cross tn,
causeway. and disappear with her behind
the cliff. Then l sat down on a chair
Was I awake or dreamingf A man hat
come out of the Ship at crucial mo
ment, and a man who, my Instinct tolS
me, was not Of our age or people. l n,
longer recognized Alastair; l was begin
ming sven 10 doubt my sober self.