The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-15


~ ONT cry outv' came a sharp
command from the man who
held MarjOry Bonner by the
She tried to scream. but fright had
closed her throat and nothing came
but a cultural groan.
'Au ] want IS food" cried the man,
putting an emphasis on the word food"
that caused Marjory TO rally signify
from her fear.
She tried 10 answer but found her
mouth dry and her tongue wooden
The mans hold was released sudden
~. His fingers slipped from her skirt
Don't be afeerd,'' he said L won
hurt We. AL 1 want Is food!
While her mouth had refused 10 act
her eyes had been rowing about from
one feature 10 another Of the man S
Elrd face. II was hard from priva-
ton; there was a starved look in his
eyes and his mouth twitched when he
was silent.
How did you ever get thsre7'' Mar
Jory found her voice at length Are
you one of the cattle men?''
IT wish to heaven I wuz." replied the
man. wiping a greasy elbow across his
mouth. Fact is. i was too lazy to
go across that way"
What do you do, them:
.'Nothin'. I've Just slowed away on
this hair-raisin' voyage. That's all
An II I ever do such a fool thing again
III be better provided With lunch"
"A stOwawayF' cried MaT1Ory.
Lord, yes But don't tell the cap
ting, Hell have me locked UP as soon
as we get 10 port an / got to go to the
f'The races9' she cried.
Yes. You see. I'm a sort of-well,
a--whst you'd cali g. tout miss
what I'd call a 'toUtr " Msrjory re-
piled. in blank surprise.
Yes. I'm one Of those foreign fools
what tells the rich blokes he's got
good thing on horse / know Eorses
bettern anything / live with EN-, miss.
That's my business"
Then why didn't you go on this
ship as a cattle man. ~ you like horses
so well2" asked MarjOry.
A quick wave Of suspicion came
over his face Then he looked up at
her modestly.
'aTeii We the truth. miss. got such
q bad reputation 7 wasn't wanted"
who didn't want yOu2
1.-The fellers that's takin over the
string. Of horsefesh aboard. They're foT
the races, miss.
"And they don't like your"
Yes. That's the dope II II inter
ests you III tell you about II. But
couldn't you get me something to eat2
I'm dyfn OF hunger. II took some
nerve 10 crawl out Of me hidden bunk
and climb up here for food. But I'm
desperate. seen you pass a dozen
times an, each time held myself Ia.
hut finally my hand just reached ont
an grabbed you. I didn't have nothin'
20 90 with 81. I'm glad We amt afraid
Of me. miss. Some are"
Afraid OF your" laughed Mariory,
for she had perfect control Of herself
now. why should I be afraid Of you?
You frightened me little when you
reached out and grabbed by skirt. I'm
not afraid Of YOU. I'm sorry for you,
and I'm going right now 10 get you
something 20 cat
God bless you miss. It's three days
since the stuff IN my kit give out. Since
then been tryin' 10 live on tobacco
you poor man. cried Mariory. Just
wait q minute and I'll get you some
You won't tell the capdng I'm here2''
cried the piuful wretch, quaver I'm
his voice.
Z won't II you1l agree to tell me all
you know about the horses on board.
who they belong 20 and who the men
are who don't like you said Marjory.
for she had had an idea from the first
mention of the valuable string Of horses
that she might learn something from
this fellow that would be OF use TO her.
Her father had rold her that ne thought
he recognized In Hicke the tool OF The
man who had swindled him once with
horses, and Mariory wanted 70 find out
all she could about the Englishman.
She hurried of 10 the dining room az
once and secured as much food as she
could without making II noticeable
Where have you been2' her father
asked her when she appeared.
I've been out on the stern alone.
she answered
Doing whatP"
Please don't ask me now, father.
I'm busy. I'll tell you all about n" she
said
The father had a worried look upon
his face, but allowed her 20 have her
own way. II had been proved 20 him
several times that Mar5ory was perfect
ly able 70 take care Of herself under
any conditions.
He did not question her when he saw
her stow away q quantity OF food and
go out toward the stern. But he did
get up shortly and follow her part way,
so that he would be 81 hand II anything
happened.