Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-02-04
CHAPTER I.-contlnued.

enter it, and Mrs. Graham lay asleep
in the lower berth, her lips slightly
parted and her face resting upon her
hand. Nature had meant to be kind
to this woman, and had been liberal
indeed with her gifts. The lashes
which swept the pale cheek were dark
and curling, like the luxuriant hair
'carelessly pushed aside on the pillow,
while the face itself, Though thin and
haggard, had evidently once been a
perfect oval, with a singular purity OF
outline and innocence Of expression.
AS noiselessly as possible, I made
my preparations for the night and
climbed into my berth, turning off the
electric light with a sense Of relief
that the switch was within easy reach
of my hand.
I lay staring into the darkness, wide
awake and alert to every sound. A
murmur of voices came from the next
room, interspersed with occasional sub
dued laughter, and at last l heard a
window opened, and some one appar-
emily leaned out with an ejaculation of
relief.
"Jove, what a night! And to think
of wasting it in a cell like this! Blake,
you old sinner, have you no soul for
the beautiful? Look at the light on
the water"
The reply was inaudible. Evidently
Blake had gone sensibly to bed, but
the voice continued undaunted:
Il say, wouldn't it be jolly to dive off
the railing and swim a mile or so? I
declare, I've half a mind to do It'll"
I caught my breath apprehensively.
Suppose he should jump? A match
was now scratched, and the odor of a
cigarette foated through my Slated
blind.
Maybe you think you're on an or
binary steamer, Blake, but it's nothing
of the kind. 1t is a royal barge be-
longing to the gods, and it's carrying
the Three Graces to attend Apollo
I'm Apollo, you understand, and Venus
isn't in it this trip. I think-of course
I'm not yet sure-but / think Thalia
is the chosen one"
The berth creaked plaintively, and
a second match was struck. Apparent
ly Blake considered it wiser to join
his patient at the window.
Don't be an ass" he said, with a
slow drawl, but his companion mere
'1y whistled a few bars of an old n
How happy could I be with either,
were t'other dear charmer away eh,
iBlake?" he laughed. F'That's the way
with this world-always too much or
too little"
Quite enough for you, I think"
Not a bit of 1t. The thing I want
most I lack, but some time, some how,
I'm going to get it."
Silence for a few moments, then he
resumed more gravely:
"Of course it's no end jolly to have
you with me, Blake, but it is a queer
business for you to take up, and I
don't altogether like it. You were
built for better things"
1T is interesting work, and said to
require special fitness"
! mo doubt. Well, it's an i'll wind
you know, and, since it blew you my
way, I've no kick coming. But, old
chap, there Is no use In publishing
what you are doing, and for both our
'sakes it is better you should pass
simply rs my guest"
las you please, Bennett. Now, for
heavens sake, come to bed"
] don't know whether | had actually
been asleep, or whether I was merely
in that delightful state of half-con-
seriousness which ~precedes profound
slumber, but suddenly I started UP
broad awake, withrthe echo of a cry
in my ears. Was I dreaming?
i wondered, for / heard nothing but
the sound Of the waves against the
boat.
Then 1t came again, from just be.
meath me, a sobbing, frightened cry,
infinitely distressing to hear, and in
'st~inctively I turned on the light and
jumped to the floor.
Mrs. Graham sat upright in her
berth, her dark ayes looking into
space, and her hands tightly clasped.
mot again, Harry" she moaned;
mot again-so soon."
took her hands in mine and spoke
to her, calling her by name several
times, and gradually the blank look
in her eyes was replaced by utter be-
wilderment as she began to realize her
surroundings.
What is it," she said. What
have | been DOING"
"You were dreaming" I suggested.
"a bad dream, perhaps"
"a bad dream" she repeated; Eyes,
that's it-a bad dream. And only a
dream, thank Godl"
But I've wakened you" she con-
tinued contritely, "and of course you
are tired, too. I'm SO sorry. Please
80 to sleep again, and | will try not to
disturb you. / am all right, indeed.
! put out the light and got back into
my berth and lay there thinking about
my companion and more than half
expecting her to cry out again. Evil
IDENTIFY she did not at once go to sleep,
for ! heard her sigh softly now and
then, and once she whispered broken
ly: Only q dream, thank God, only a
dream!"
CHAPTER II.
When ! wakened the next morning
| was alone, and should have been in
clined to believe the preceding night
a dream were 1t not for the penciled