Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-12-24

CHAPTER v111.-tcOntinued.)

CHAPTER vIII.-(Continued.)
"Don't you think that 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.. Sell |
den?"
l was in for it, SO plunged ahead.
''That day you came to the Ship, had no
idea," 1 blundered on. II did not know
you were such friend of Islip's."
"Well," she said, land now that you
known"
II think you should have told me. I
ought to have known before that after
noon"
She was haughtiness itself. "Why,
what affair was 1t of yours?'
1 shrugged my shoulders II was enti-
tied to know
81 cannot understand why. What
makes you think that Mr.. Islip and r.
she hesitated 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"
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"
stuck doggedly at It. II think
should have been told" repeated.
She gave me single glance, then rose.
II am going back to tine Penguin Club"
she said.
I rose also. every good. 1 will see you
there"
mo" she turned to me sharply. "I
prefer to go back alone"
She was imperious l could be equally
Sand 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. l am my own mistress, and I do
not want your company"
sand / will not let you 60 back alone"
"You are very rude" She looked over
at the beach as II for some possible help
els there no one else?" she asked aloud
There came a voice from the cabin
steps behind me. ''If you will permit
great honor"
and faced about. tall, somewhat angu-
lar man stood before us, hat In hand, bow
ing low to Miss Graham.
II heard your question" he said, "and
took 1t on myself to answer It. Permit
me" He stepped forward and placed
himself at the girls side.
ment, for was surprised out of my wits
"My name Is Pierre Dupo1ceau," 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
figure. Never had seen a man Just
IKE him. He was dressed all In black,
but his clothes were gingularly rich and
Of strange pattern. From his shoulders
hung q 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 degree, and
his voice had a peculiar, fascinating for
eIEn softness that had never heard In
feet recognized the figure that had
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.
I was still dumb with surprise. saw
the man in black leap to the path, help
Miss Graham down the ladder, cross the
causeway, and disappear with her behind
the cliff. Then l sat down on a chair.
Was l awake or dreaming7 A man had
come out of the Ship at a crucial mo-
ment, and a man who, my instinct told
mo, was not Of our age or people. no
longer recognized Alastair; was begin
ming aven tn doubt nv sober self