The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-03-30
CHAPTER XV.-continued.

The slight change or voice per-
ceptiblc in this final sentence might
have excused the utterance of the
question trembling on my lips. yet I
set my teeth. and remained silent
1T is odd how our lives are infiu-
cnced," she continued. thoughtfully.
Il feel that the charm OF the sea has
been the one great ;mpelling force
which has nodded mine. l wonder is
1t destined always to be so? Are these
waters even now bearing me on as
Fate wills? Ever since l can remem-
Der have permitted the ocean to
perhaps, should be otherwise occu-
pied. 1t has been my master. my
strongest love. But I must not think
this, much less say it." hastily awak
ening. and pointing forward. See, Mr.
stephens. how those clouds and the
waters blend yonder III such fantastic
forms: they appear an army of Sheeted
ghosts bearing down to block our
passage into the Polar sea-
l looked in the direction indicated.
scarcely noting the phenomena, but
wondering what vas the real meaning
concealed behind her yelled utterance
In truth Lady Darlington Was not a
woman easily interpreted. She was
by no means a creature of moods. yet
behind her effort at outward cheer
fulness | was constantly aware of
something hidden. some haunting
memory Of the past. more to be
dreaded even than her present envir-
Cnmcnt
Sometimes 1 even thought she DELHI
erately played with me: yet this was
not so. There was nothing of the CO.
'Quette in her nature. nothing of pur-
tpOseful deceit in either words or &C
.tion, and I cast the unworthy thought
from me with the Indignation it de-
served. Still. her method was most
strange. most peculiar Indeed, she
was like two women. ever keeping me
On the qui vive. alive with expectancy.
yet never quite bringing to me that
open hcartcdncss l so much desired.
Zone second. as though by purest acct
dent. I looked down into her soul; the
Text | saw nothing but the outer COW
Cring. Without in the least meaning
10 be SO she became 4 teasing puzzle.
I'm enigma of womanhOod. before
whom I was beginning to worship. un-
able to analyze even my own feelings.
iIalf-hcEerul. half-afraid.
Hence it was that Oh this day 1 re-
manned leaning against the piano,
listening to her really brilliant exc
cution OF difficult music. gazing down
UpoI her unconscious face. the swing
CT the deck under my feet. but with a
heavy heart behind the smile upon my
. lips. The music finally ceased. yet VIC
fingered there conversing over the
memory aroused by its rendition, when
futile emerged from his room. pre-
Jared for his turn of service on deck.
He stopped and stared across at us,
his hand on the knob of the closed
door
Such songs are most unseemly un-
Ger our present circumstances" he
said. solcmnly. apparently addressing
the lady only. for his glance never met
mine. In presence of death and the
hereafter. madam. prayer is the nat
Ural outlet of the soul"
Her sympathetic face whitened, the
expression of her eyes changing in
stantly.
Nhat-what do you mean, Mr.. Tut |
tie? Are We in any special danger?"
In the midst of life We are in
death. What is man that thou art
mindful OF him, or the Son of Man
that thou visiteSt him? Death rides
upon the wind, races upon the waters.
Place not your trust in princes. nor
in any of the powers of earth. but
upon the mercy of the Most High. Be
warned. madam: be prepared for his |
early coming. for already has it been
given unto me to behold the End
He STROBE past us. stony-faced, his I
xaunt form outlined against the gray
sky without as he pushed back the
|companion door. Lady Darlington !
watched his disappearance with parted !
LIPS and eyes filed with fear
"The fellow has gone crazy over his !
rltiritistic theories" l endeavured to |
explain. DO not permit such folly
to affect you"
"But-but. Mr.. STEPHENS, he means
II. he believes it. What is it he has |
soen?" !.