The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-05-20

me hub0uD and changes or the past
few hours.
Inspired 10 activity by this knowl-
edge. and eager 20 settle the identity
o. our prize. ! began closer examina-
ton Of that impressive interior. al
though not entirely relieved from the
spell OF its royal magnifcence Six
doors. three upon each side. opened
off from the main cabin. The full
length mirrors occupied the spaces be-
tween. and the doors themselves were
marvels of decoration and carving.
Another. beneath the stairs. led di-
rectly into the stewards pantry, and
revealed. besides, a passageway lead
ing forward, probably to the lazarette
amidships. The others, as tried their
brass knobs, exhibited merely COM
Portable staterooms. fitted up for Off
GERS use: three contained two hunks
each. the others only one. Four of the
beds had been carefully made. but the
remainder We're in disorder. as though
quite lately occupied Everything i'm
pressed me as unusually clean and
neat. evincing strict discipline The
only desk | noticed was a roll-top af
fair. securely locked and with no lit
ter of papers lying anywhere about.
This, l figured, was probably the berth
OF the first officer; the captains room
would naturally be the one farthest
astern
The upright piano, with the high
backed cushioned chairs surrounding
it, blocked my view aft but on round
ing these | observed a closed door.
which apparently led into a room
extending the entire width Of the
cabin. Never suspecting that it might
be occupied. | grasped the brass knob.
and stepped within Instantly came
10 full stop. dazed by establishment.
my teeth clenched in quick efor, at
se!f-COntrOl. The entire scene burst
In upon my consciousness with that
first surprised survey-the drapnd
portfolios opening out upon the gray
fog bank, the brass bed screwed 10
the deck, the chairs upholstered in
green plush, the polished table with a
vase Of flowers topping il. the glistcn-
ing front of bookcase in the corner,
the tiger rug into which my feet SANK.
All these things l perceived, scarcely
true impression concentrated itself
upon the living occupants.
There were two present At a low
dressing table, her back toward me,
fronting a mirror, yet with eyes
fastened upon an open book lying in
her lap. sat a woman The lowered
head yielded me only an indistinct out
line of her features. yet the full throat
and rounded cheek gave pledge Of
both youth and beauty. Standing al
most directly behind her chair. with
short, curly locks, crowned by a smart
white cap her hands busted amid her
mistresSes' tresses. was maid, petite,
roguish. fiuttering about like a hum
ming bird. The latter saw ne at once,
pausing In her work with eyes wide
open in surprise, but the preOccupied
mistress did not even glance up. She
must IA Htd4 II lll' SONuu OF me
door however. for she spoke care
leSsly:
i thought you were never coming
What caused you to sail so suddenly >"
These unexpected words. uttered so
naturally. served partially to arouse
me from the dull torpor of surprise.
clenched my hands wondering if
was really awake. and stared back into
the frightened eyes OF the maid. who
appeared equally incapable of articula-
ton. Suddenly she found voice.
1T is not ze one. madame" she
cried, shrinking back Non. non: 1t
is un homme stranger"
What is that you say. Celeste?"
and the other arose swiftly 10 her
feet, the open book dropping to the
floor as she turned to face me- In
stantly | recognized her. in spite Of
the long hair trailing unconfned far
below her waist-recognized her with
a sudden leap upward of my heart into
my thOat. There was no semblanCe Of
fear. only undisguised amazement, in
the dark gray eyes that met mine
"What-what is the meaning OF this
strange intrusion? Are you a member
OF the crew."
Instantly my cap came off. the
thought occurring TO me OF what a
rough figure must be making in my
soaked jacket, with the glistening
peak of my cap shadowing my face
NO, madame" and bowed before
her Il am not one of your crew. My
my entrance here was entirely a
mistake"
She leaned forward, one white hand
grasping the back of her chair, the ex-
preston in her eyes changing as she
read my face, perDlexity merging into
faint recollection.
II do not quite comprehend" she
confessed al last, changing her speech
to a slightly broken Spanish. You
you are Senior Estevan?"
CHAPTER VIII.