Charlevoix county herald., 1910-04-02
CHAPTER xI.-Continued.

This unexpected and undesirable in
formation seemed fairly to stun the
fellows, their eyes meeting blankly.
heard Bill Anderson swear.
"The question is, how can we best
dispose of them? This is no excur-
sion for ladies, no pleasure trip of any
kind. we've started on. Shall we hail
some passing vessel and trans-ship
them, or shall we run in to Juan Fer
nandez and put them both safely
ashore?"
None of the three men ventured to
glance toward me, and for long
moment no answering voice spoke.
Then futile gave oily utterance to
words of compromise.
Blame if this don't sort O. knock
me all out, sir" he acknowledged. 81
don't exactly cotton to either of those
idees Of yours, an l don't know what
is best. l guess I'll have to talk it
over with my mates here first, but you
can teil-Nem ladies that We'll get 'em
out somehow before we turn south.
Anyhow they don't need to worry
none 'boAt bein' ill-treated. Then |
take it,"sir, that you mean to sail with
us?"
There doesn't appear to be any
thing else l can do"
You're about right there. Well,
let's shake hands on it."
l did so, deliberately ignoring both
the others, and feeling my flesh
twitch when touched his flabby palm.
IL nl4 th1
co in his cheek.
Damn the women!" he commented
in sudden anger. Better give the
crew their breakfast, Anderson. Mr..
Stephens, I've sent Dade into the
cabin to attend things aft. He'll
make good hand at that sort O.
job"
We passed out together into the
bright sunlight on deck, and | re-
manned in silence for moment be-
side the rail, gazing forth across the
empty sea. Had | done what was
right in all these circumstances? I'm
der God, | was not really certaih yet
/ could perceive no other action pos
sble
A sIend' erly built, stoop-shouldered
young fellQw, who shuf11ed about like
a waiter ashore, was in the pantry,
and / noticed white cloth spread
over the table, which had been low
cred from it's stanchions and now oc-
cupied the center Of the main cabin,
and a swinging shelf suspended above.
ever act in this capacity before,
Dade?" | asked, sizing him up in the
dim light.
"Oh, yeS SIR a slight lisp to his
tongue; I've done cabin work on the
coast liners"
Then you should surely understand
your business. Lay covers for four"
-Four, sir?" in surprise.
That is what / said, Dade; two
ladies. Mr.. futile, and myself. That
makes four to my figuring. Now step
lively. my lad. When will breakfast
be ready to server"
ON about Is minutes, SIR
/ waited until he became busy with
his work. his face still filled with
amazement over my revelation, then
walked around the end of the piano,
and raped, softly at the after-cabin
door. Cele ie opened the door with
a Eainty c3rttesy and a quick uplift-
iMss frightened eyes to my face. She
had been crying, and in some way her
very manner made me suddenly
aware how poorly | stood in the esti-
nation OF her mistress and herself.
Yet. for the moment, l did not seri-
ousIy care, stepping quietly within,
can in hand, intent merely on the
rapid completion of my visit. Lady
Darlington arose instantly from her
chair, steadying herself to the roll of
the vessel with one hand on the brass
rail of the bed, and fronted me ST.
lently, the expression of her face ex-
pectant but reserved. Gazing upon
her. / felt the fully revealed power of
her beauty, as the sunlight atrcaming