The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-03-11

TER Of papers lying anywhere about.
This, Z figured. sWa5 probably the berth (,
sof; the flrstg ofacer;: The captains room
would naturally be! the one faIthest
.astern: s q
The upright piano, With the high
backed cushioned chairs surrounding
II, blocked my view aft, but on round
ing these I observed a closed door,.
which apparently led into a room /
extending the entire. width Z Of the !;
cabin. Never suspectlng that Il might
be occupied. / grasped the brass knob,
and stepped within. Instantly i came
to a full stop, dazed by establishment,
my teeth clenched In quick effort at
selftontrol. The entire scene burst
in upon my consciousness with that
first surprised suryey-the draped
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 II, the gllsten.
ing front Of . book case In the corner,
f, the tiger rug into which my feet sank.
All these thingsl perceived, scarcely
realizing that y did so, for my one
true impression concentrated itself
upon the living occupants. AK;
There were two present, Al 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 lndistlnct 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 smart
white cap. her hands busled amid her
mistresses' tresses, was a maid, petite,
rogulsh, futtering about like a hum.
ming bird. The latter saw me at once,
pauslng In her work with eyes wide
open In surprise, but the preoccupied
mistress did not even glance up. She
must have heard the sound Of the
door, however, for she spoke care
lessly:
81 thought you were never comlag.
What caused you TO sail so suddenly"
These unexpected words, uttered 10
naturally, served partially 10 arouse
me from the dull torpor OF surprise !
clenched my hands, wondering II !
was really awake, and stared back Into
the frightened eyes OF the maid, who
appeared equally incapable Of artlcula.
ton. Suddenly she found voice.
4 1T Is not re one, madame" she
cried. shrinking back. mon, non; 1t
Is I'm homme etranger."
what Is that you say, Celestc2"
and the other arose swiftly 10 her
feet, the open book dropping to the
floor us she turned TO face me. In.
stantly recognized her, in spite Of
the long hair trailing uncontlned far.
below her waist-recognized her with
sudden leap upward Of my heart into
my thoat. There IVES no semblanco Of
fear. only undlsguised Amusement, III
the dark gray eyes that met mine,
"What-whnt is the meaning Of this
strange intrusion2 Are you n member
Of the crew."
Instantly my cap came on, tho
thought occurring TO NE OF what a
rough figure must be making In my
soaked jacket, with the glistenins
peak OF my cap shadowlng my face. Z
NO, lnalame;" and ] bowed before
her 81 am not one Of your crew. My
my entrance here was entirely a
mistake"
She leaned forward, one white hand
grasplng the back Of her chair, the ex.
preston in her eyes changing az she
read my face, pernlexity merging into
faint recollection.
IL do not quite comprehend" she
confessed at last, changing her speech
to a slightly broken Spanish. you
you are Senior Estevan?"
Ito Be- Continued) ..