The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-04-29
CHAPTER III.

""IEE bells, miss! It'll soon bt
daylight. If you wants to sec
the cross. now's your time"
| Iris had been called from
drea m'ess sleep by a laundering rat
tat on her cabin door. In reply to heI
half awaked cry of "All right!' the
hoarse voice Of sailor told her that
the Southern Cross had just risen
above the horizon. She resolutely
screwed her knuckles into her eyes
and began 20 dress. In a few minutes
she was OH deck. A long coat. tam.
o'-shanter and pair Of list slippers
will go far in the way of costume at
night in the tropics, and the Androm-
eda's seventeenth day at sea had
brought the equator very near. At
dinner on the previous evening-in
honor of the owners niece fashionable
hours were observed for meals-Mr.
Watts mentioned by chance that the
cross had been very distinct during
the middle watch, or, in other words,
between midnight and a. m. Iris
at once expressed a wish to see it, and
Captain Coke offered a suggestion.
"Mr. HOZier takes the middle watch
tonight" said he. I'VE can ak i'm to
send man to pound on your door as
soon as it rises. Then you must run
up to the bridge, an ELL tell you all
about It,"
If fris was conscious Of slight feel
ing of surprise she did not show it.
Hitherto the burly skipper Of the An
dromeda had made it so clearly under
stood that none Of the ships company
save himself was to enjoy the society
changed very few words with the one
man whose manners and education OBJ
viously entitled him to meet her on all
equal plane. Even at meals he was
often absent. So Coke's complacency
came now quite unexpectedly, but Iris
was learning to school her tongue.
"Thank you very much" she said.
"When shall see himY'
ooh. you needn't bother. I'll tell
i'm meself."
She was somewhat disappointed at
this. Hozier would be free for an hour
before he turned in. and they might
have enjoyed nice chat while he
smoked on the poop. In her heart of
hearts she was beginning to acknowl-
edge that voyage through summer
seas on a cargo vessel, with no other
society than that of unimaginative
sailormen. savored Of tedium, indeed
almost of deadly monotony. Her rare
meetings with Hozier marked bright
spots in dull round of hours. During
their small intercourse she had discov-
cred that he was well informed. They
had hit upon a few kindred tastes in
books and music. They even differed
sharply in their appreciation Of favor
lite authors. And what could be more
conducive to complete understanding
than the attack and defense of the
shrine of some tin god of literature?
While, therefore, it was strange that
Captain Coke should actually propose
a visit to the bridge at an unusual
time, too, when Hozier
would be on duty--it struck her as far
more curious that he should endeavor
to prevent an earlier meeting.
81 shall be delighted to come at any |
time. l have often read about the
Southern Cross, yet three short weeks |
ago little thought
"You RELY didn't think about it at |
ILL.," broke in Coke. IF you 'ad you'd |
ave known you couldn't cross the line
without SEEM It,"
Here was another perplexing ele-
nent in the shippers conduct. That
Iris was a stowaway was forgotten.
She was treated with the attention
md ceremony due to the owners
liece. Coke never lost an opportunity
If DINING into the ears Of Watts or
dozier or the steward or any men,
,ers Of the crew who were listening
hat Miss Yorkes presence in their
midst was preordained circumstance,
! thing fully discussed and agreed on
Is between her uncle and himself, but
arried out in an irregular manner
wing to some girlish freak on her
art. The portmanteau, with its
hange of raiment, brought convincing
estimony, and Iris own words when
discovered In the lazarette supplied
urther proof, II that were needed.
A keen, invigorating breeze swept
he last mirage Of sleep from the girls
rain as she fitted silently along the
eek. A wondrous galaxy Of stars
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