The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-04-22
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! la99xWH 1862

from the eXertiCn, | glanced ~curlously
at my watch to note the hour. Barely
two O'Clock. Why, it was his trick on
deck; he had deserted his position to
come below. The Sea Queen was rush
ing through the gloom with no officer
Oh the bridge. De Nova would be in his
bunk asleep. | sprang to my own
room, and hastily finished dressing,
fully determined on standing out Tut
lies watch on deck. AS | came forth
again into the main cabin. winding a
mufler about my throat. a vision in
white frontod me. grasping the table
to keep from falling.
What is it, Mr.. Stephens? What
has happened?"
Nothing that need in any way
alarm YOU" and as the vessel gave a
sickening plunge, and her eyes opened
in apprehension, l caught her arm firm
ly. Truly. believe me, there Is no
danger. Mr.. Tuttle has been suddenly
taken i'll, and I am going to relieve
him on watch. You AVE confidence in
me. have you not?"
Her eyes searched my face earnest
ly, the gray depths full of anxiety.
"Oh, yes
Then now is the time to show it.
| shall remain on deck, probably, until
morning. l wish you to 60 back, lie
down and rest. Let me assist you to
return 10 your StaterOOm.'
! held her closely to me, SO closely
| could feel the throb of her breathing,
The warmth Of her flesh, realizing that
she was clinging to me in utter forget
fulness. Only at the door did she
draw away slightly, yet even then
with her hands clasping my arm, her
hands clasping my arm, her eyes
gazing directly into mine.
You have old me all?"
"All of the slightest Importance;
the details can wait daylight. l ask
you to confide in mt now, aad sleep.
May have your PROMISE
There was something m%ystifying in
those gray eyes l had never perceived
before, and she caught her breath in a
quick sob.
Yes" she replied, simply, her
lashes dropping, you may nave my
promise"
On deck discovered the yacht la
boring desperately in a heavy cross
sea, the sky clear, and two men strain
ing at the wheel. In spite of the star
shine, they were SO bundled up that |
was compelled to stare directly in
their faces before | could recognize
either.
MI. futile has been taken sick and
gone to his BERTH" | explained briefly,
II will serve out his watch. What
course have you?'
"Sou'sou-east by SOU, sir"
| glanced inquiringly at the compass
card, and Their forward, sweeping the
seas with my glasses. There was nc
ice in sight, but the bitter cold of the
air was sufficient proof of plenty not
far away.
when dtl Mr.. futile go aft?"
, asked.
Bout 30 minutes ago, sir
Did he leave any word ~
H never said nothin,' did he, Bill
He'd been actin queer, an a-talkin
to Eisself, an all at one he ran dowr
the steps. an went aft. Bill an
figured it out as how maybe he was
d, cold. an wanted a drink"
. AT four o'clock, the sky already be
ginning to mist as if from thickenins
frost, | dispatched one of the hand!
aft to rout out De Nova. He cam
stumbling up the steps, perhaps tel
minutes later, still rubbing the slee]
out of his eyes, but became Wild
awake enough when nc recognized me
;. "Sacre, wat was zis, Mons. Ste
sphen? Were was re mate?"
Crouching behind the %tarpaulins GU
of the keen sweep of the wind, l ex
, planned in rapid detail what had oc
. Cured since he went below.
1T will probably have to be watcl
= and watch with us, De Nova" l ended
, firmly. futile is no longer fit to b.
- left in charge of the decl:. You agre
to that"
He shrugged his shoulders.
{ by gar, it look like zare was moss
ing else for it."
e NO; it is the only way. Call me a
the end of your trick. I'll look in o.
i futile again as l go below"
| did SO, discovering him still upol
his back, his eyes wide open, starin
straight UP at the deck-beams above.
is there snytking l can do for yol
n Mr.. Tutt!e?"
q He wet his p~rched lips with hi
q tongue, turning his head ever S
slightly at sound of my voice.
Another drink of brandy" he mu,
tered, thickly. Il don't see what i
& the matter with my legs; they won
n move"
n | brought him the liquor, lifting hi
head so he might drink more easil,
& and expressing a hope that he woul
feel much better by morning. He RI