Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-12-10


OF boiling oil. He sat up and gaxed
about him. halfdazed. The cyclone
had been followed by dead calm, and
the sun. already well above the hort
zon. was blazing upon them over the
CLASSY surfaces OF the dying swells
with fierce heat
winthrope felt about for his hat. II
had been blown off when. at the stri.
King OF the steamer. he had rushed
up on deck. AS he remembered. he
Strengthened. and looked Mt his com
panions Blake lay snoring where
he had first outstretched himself
sleeping the sleep OF the iust--and OF
already awake She sat with her
hands clasped In her lap. while the
tears rolled slowly down her cheeks.
"My--ah--dear Miss Geneyieve,
what Is the matter?" exclaimed Win
thrope.
Natter DO you ask when we are
here on this wretched coast, and may
not get away for weeks Oh. | did so
count on the London season this year,
Lady Bayrose promised that ! should
be among those presented"
We'll. I--ah--fancy, Lady Bayrose
Will do no more presenting unless II
may be to the heavenly choir. you
know
why. what do you mean. Mr..
winthrope? You told me that she and
the maids had been put In the largest
boat
my dear Miss Genevieve. you must
remember that I am diplomat II
was all quite sufficiently narrowing. !
assure you They were, indeed, put
into the largest boat Beastly mud
dle!--- While they waited for the mate
TO fetch you, the boat was crushed
alongside. and all In II drowned"
Drowned drowned oh, dear
Lady Bayrose! And she'd travelled SO
much--oh, oh. II Ia horriblet Why
did she persuade me to visit the Cape7
II was only TO be with her--And then
for us 70 start on for India, when we
might have sailed straight to England!
Oh. II Ia horriblel horrible! And my
maid, and ali--ft cannot be possiblel'
Pray, do not excite yourself, my
dear Miss Geneyieve. Their troubles
are all over. Er--Gawd has taken
them to Him. you know"
But the pity OF It! To be drowned
$50 far from homel"
"Ah. II that's all you're worrying
aboutl--T must say I'd like to know
how we'll get n snack for breakfast.
I'm hungry as a--er--groom."
EATING How can you think OF
eating. Mr.. winthrope-- all the
others drowned? This sun is becom-
Ing dreadfully hot II is unbearable!
Can you not put up some kind OF an
awning?"
Well. now. must say, was never
much OF hand at such things, and
really can't imagine what one could
rig up, There might have been bit
Of sail In the boat, but one can't see
sign Of IL. fancy It was smashed. !"
Miss Leslie ventured a glance at
Blake. Though still lying as be had
sprawled in his drunkenness. there was
comforting suggestion OF power In
rs he stiIl--in that condition."
Must have slept II on by this time,
and there's no more in the flask" an
swered Winthrope. Reaching over
with his foot, he pushed against
BIake's back.
Huh, All right" grunted the
sleeper, and sat up, as had Winthrope.
half dazed Then he stared around
him, and rose TO his feet We'll. what
In he'll, Say. this liz damn cheerful"
Il fancy we are In q nasty fix. But
say, my man. there liz woman pres.
ent, and your language. you know"
Blake turned and fixed the English
man with cold stare.
Look here. You bloomin' lud.s he
said there's Just one thing you're
going To understand. riwht here and
now I'm not your man, ard we're not
going to have any Of that kind OF hlat.
ter Any fool can see we're In a
tight hole. ana we're like 10 keep com
pany for a while--probabiy long as we
last"
What ah--may ask, do you mean
by that? ?"
Blake laughed harshIy. and pointed
from the reef-strewn sea to the vast
stretches OF desolate marsh. Far In
land, across miles OF brackish lagoons
and reedy mud fats, could be seen
groups OF scrubby, halfleafless trees;
ten or twelve miles to the southwark
a rocky headiand iutted out into the
water; otherwise there was nothing In
sight but sea and swamp. II II could
not properly be termed sea-view, IL
was at least very wet landscape
Fine prospect" remarked Blake.
dryiy. Wen be In luck IL the fever
don't get the last OF US inside a
month; and as for You two, you'd have
as much show of lasting month as
toad with rattlesnake, II It wasn't
for Tom Blake--that's my nameTom
Blake--and as long as this shindy
lasts you're welcome to call me Tom