The Columbus journal., 1910-03-02
CHAPTER xi.-Continued.


This unexpected and undesirable i,
formation seemed fairly to stun tn
fellows. their eyes meeting blankIy.
heard Eill Anderson swear.
The question is. how can We hes
dispose of them? This is no eXcuI
A;on for ladies'. TO pleasure trip of an.
;:Ind. we've started on. Shall We hal
some passing vessel and trans-ShiI
them. or shall we run in to Juan Fer
raniez and put them both safei.
Sshcrac'
Mono of the three men yenturcd {,
glance toward me. and for a lon:
'aoment no answering voice spoke
hen futile gave Oily utterance tt
words of compromise.
Rlame if this don't sort o knoci
r!e all out. sir" he acknowledged. g
don't exactly cotton to either of those
N'oeS of yours. an ! don't know what
IS hest. l guess I'll have TO talk il
over with my mates here first, but YOU
ran ;ell them ladies that wen get EN-
out somehow before we turn south
Anyhow. they don't need to worry
nnn" bout bein' ilI-treated. Then
take il, sir. that you mean 10 sal, with
liS?"
There doesn't appear to be any,
tang else | can DO"
fcu're about right there Well.
Ii = shake hands on t."
did so. deliberately ignoring both
II" others. and feeling my flesh
'~i;"k when touched his Gabby palm.
TI'tie chewed savaScly on the tobac.
90 III 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.
jGb"
Nr PASSED out together into the
hr'eht sunlight on deck, and re.
Taincd in silence for a 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 net really certain: vet
cnuli perceive no other action nos
S;Llc
\ aicnderly built. Stoop-shouldered
,Ci.-lC fellow. who ShuGied about like
= latter ashore. was in the pantrv
.,:i noticed a white cloth spread
over -" table. which had been low
60; rom its stancilions and now cc-
s-.-;atpl tho pf hn
;'H;i Il ringing shelf suspended above.
t:'r act in this capacity before.
i'.:l. - 1 asked, sizing him ND in the
dim light.
Oh. yes. sir" Sigh. lisp TO his
ion. g: I've done cabin work on the
Co.'S: liners"
;h.n ycu should surely understand
ynT~ business. Lay covers for four"
Ecur. sir?" in surprise.
-. is what | said, Dade: two
Ill, :, Mr.. futile. and myself. That
ss.a':cs four to my figuring. Now step
;iT"!y. my lad. When will breakfast
d" ready to serve"
IN about Is minutes. sir"
waited until he became busy with
his work. his face still filled with
aGs&Zament over my revelation. then
walked around the end of the piano,
AID ra'pcd softly At the aftercabin
door. Celeste orened the door with
=, t.a.c,. courtesy and a Quick uplift-
suc %! frightened eyes TO my face She
had ooCn crying. and in some way her
ve:I manner made me suddenly
ava" how poorly | stood in the eSti-
ma:inn of her mistress and herself
Vet. tor the moment. did not seri-
oli:!y care. stepping quietly within,
cap 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.
ientiy. the expression of her face eX-
pectart but reserved. Gazing upon
her. felt the fully revealed power of
her beauty. as the sunlight streaming
through the open port illumined her
hair and outlined the delicate oval of
her face. Troubled as she was. sur
rounded by a terror no less real be-
cause she failed thoroughly to compre-
bend it. facing one she must distrust
and secretly fear, her first utteralce,
friendly and courteous. merely exhib-
tted a heart which beat warmly be-
meath its slight arnor of pride.
Il am exceedingly glad to greet YOU
again. MIR. Stephens" she said. pleas
,nfly ayop en5aayp-inu IN smile. ..ypu
were absent so long We had begun to
expect evil news"
Il regret 10 say. Lady Darlington.
that bring you only very little OF any l