The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-03-24
CHAPTER vru.-cOn,lnusd
She bent her head slightly.
-What vessel Is this"

@N '1H a'H ANAA NhA"AAANH
what vessel Is this2"
THE steam yacht Sea Queen OF law
erpool. owned by Lord Darlington,
she announced. soberly. her face and
lips white.
How came you anchored of the
government docks7"
'By special permission Of the presi
tente. We were t0wed into that berth
carly last evening. after the Esmer-
aida had been hauled Up against the
quay 20 ship armament and stores
! drew a deep breath.
could you tell me IL Il was known
70 others that you contemplated
anchonnE thcre7"
She hesitated. her lips slightly apart.
% hand pressed against her TEN
pie.
1t Is most important that I learn
the exact truth. / urged. earnestly.
i ask from no idle curiosity"
4 am not generally consulted In
such matters, senior. she admitted.
but I believe we had been waiting
several days for the opportunity TO
take that position. This is as ! have
been told.
She seemed 10 be awaiting my ex.
plantation. striving 10 be- courteous. yet
with her impatience slightly evidenced
by the continual tapping Of her foot
on the rug But ! was not yet
through with nay questioning
Were no officers LEFT on board last
night7"
Her gray eyes wldCncd.
Certainly yes: the FIRST officer and
the engineer were in charge when ] re-
tired. The others, with the majority
o. the crew. had gone ashore at sun
down 10 enjoy the FUN. But why do
you ask. scuory Are these not on
board now9
Il regret being compelled 10 answer
no. Only the engineer. three OF the
harbor watch. and some KanakA IRE
men have been found. ! have dlscoy.
cred no trace OF the first officer.
Then-then he must have rowcd
ashore with two OF the mon!" she ex.
claimed.
How CHANGED you to be len here
aioneg-
she hcuitatod. her hands clasped
on the c~hairback, her bosom rising
and falling trUmulously. Yet finally sho
forced her lips TO reply. as though thus
seeking the quickest way OF clarifying
tho situation,
We were al invited 10 tho palace
OF the prosideutc. 20 listen TO the
speeches and view tho fireworks Lord
Darlington was greatly Interested.
and most DESTROYS 90 attending. Tho
unfortunate which occurred az
the hotel early In the evening loft
me, however. with so Eoyprc a head
ache that bcFgcd TO be allowed 90 re-
main here alone with Celeste. AZ nrst
both Lord Darlington and nj.
fused 10 depart without me. but when
the prcsldgute dispatched his own
steam launch 60 convey the party TO
the whayr they decided t would be
must discuurtcOu5 not 90 attend. lord
h~arlingtou's membership On the house
~ lords gives him a certain omclal
recognition abroad which Dc does not
carp 20 have lapse The yachts cap
tain accompanied them. aud 40 dream
of Oyil Detailing those Loft behind over
occurred TO any Que of ua o senior.
tell me, what does % all mcau9 What
has ~happenedg"
Il presume ! must explain ] said.
regrotrully, although q IS not an
oasy task by any means You viii
have confidence Ia me, Miss Dorisg'
Il shall endcayor 10 DO So, she re-
turned. an increasing coldnoSs IN her
voice, "nut / am Lady Darlington"
Your pardon; ! supposed you TO be
thar g~entloman's daughter"
The color swept IN a wave OF rich
crimson luto her checks. the gray eyoa
becoming darker.
Nevertheless. senior, I am Lord
n%arlington's wife"
Even in that momcnt OF cmhap.
rassmont and porploXity. when ! was
scarcely less agitated than herself
this unexpected announcement OF such
a relationship came TO me as a shock
Why Il should. what difference Il could
possibly make. ! did not "a the least
realise, yet was instantly conscious
Of tho disappointment. OF deep regret
Tho revelation. thus calmly. proudly