The Washington times., 1910-06-07
CHAPTER XIII.
lie Unanswered OuestioI

The Unanswered Question.
A Ii that the mate asked from her
Awas that she should in some way
detain bloomington IN the cabin. How
could that be done? II was by no
means an easy problem. She did not
know whether he locked the door of
his staterOOm when he turned in or
not, though II was probable that he
did not Under the circumstances, II
was mere than likely that the door
would simply be on the latch, for. she
reasoned. If he were summoned, or
If IL were found necessary TO send for
him, the minute or two of time that
would be required TO get him awake
and have him unlock the door might
mean a lost ship.
Therefore. she decided that the door
would not be locked. There was only
She would have to get the key ana
lock 1t herself. Il would be easy 70
take the key now, when no one was
in the cabin. and secrete it; but II she
did 50 IL was barely possible that he
would notice Its absence and inquire
Once his suspicious were aroused. the
attempt to recapture the ship would
be useless.
To open the door and take the key
while he was asleep would be a risk !;
but there was nothing else she could
think Of Nothing is gained without
risk-and this was the point Of hazard
in her endeavor. Having locked him
in, what would be her next move ?
Being committed TO the enterprise,
she might as well do as much as in
her lay 10 make il a success. She
thought deeply, and at last came to
a conclusion.
There was the natural relief in her
mind attendant upon a settled question,
she prepared for action First she read
the mates letter over carefully several
times. TO be sure that she had made no
mistake as TO the time and signal.
Yes, 81 was clear At six bells in the
second dog-Watch she was TO turn from
the break Of the poop, where she would
be standing, and walk directly aft 10
the tanral- Some one Of the crew would
be on deck and would report TO the
mate, If he were not here himself. that
she had cOmprehended and would 90 her
part. Then she tore the paper into little
bits and thrust her hand overheard and
scattered them in the sea
Being now fairly embarked on her
course. she resolved to carry IL out with
bOldncss and spirit, and as she heard the
door Of the outer cabin open and the
familiar football of the Lieutenant she
opened the door Of her staterOOm and
came out into the cuddy-
In a few moments il would be supper
time. Four bells had just struck. end
inS the first doE-watch. and Ar Merry
neld had Just relieved his superior, who
did not 90 on duty again until eight
MOrninglOn'S first question as he en-
tered the cuddy was for her health.
The sight of him had brought a wave
Of color into her cheeks, and the sight
of her completely treasured him he
took her hand in his own and kissed it..
How he loved 10 kiss that firm, strong,
shapely, If somewhat sunburnt, handi
She had become used TO this perform
ance by now though custom had nor
dulled her pleasure in II. On the con-
rrary IL had never seemed 50 sweet 70
her as at that moment He stiH held
the hand as he raised his head. and she
did not make the slightest effort to with
draw IT,
you are quite well?'' he began, sole
'.!sPPee'rlfectIy.' she answered. smiling and
erdeavorfng TO speak indiferently, al
though her heart went nigh to choking
her. I'm so ashamed OF myself i
don't know what it was
so long as its gone, we won't waste
time on it." said tire young man, smil-
ing You don't know how anxious I
have been about YOU during the whole
of nv watch, If anything should hap
pen to you-why. It would be worse
than losing the ship
do You mean a great deal by that?"
asked the girl
DO 70
! mean, does it-would the loss Of
the ship he very much to your
There is only one thing on earth the
loss Of which would hurt me more"
And what is that?"
He took her other hand and drew her
slightly toward him. She did not realize
what he intended, or If she cid she was
not Quick enough, OF perhaps she had
no desire to prevent this action, for he
bent his head and wissed her full upon
the lius.
How she met that kiss she did not
IT. Il 4
then ebhed instantly. She stared at him.
pale. her ewes shining Ike stars He
would have done II again had she re-
ceived II in tho manner TO which he
was accustomed; but there vas some
thing in her gaze that StopDe6 hin,
Forgive me, he falteTed at last, feel
ing desperately uneasy at what he had
done, though she had neither storned
nor raeed nor wept nor smiled.
lie released her hands as he smoke
49, Is ne mad been her support in
us Crisis size sank down upon the
ransom and buried her face, while the
Wild beating of her heart. which bsd
Almost STOPPED when he kissed her. SEM
'he 9lood1 Surging TO her cheeks. again
ana an the while she said no word.
TOT an Jhe while Within her soul fierce
Wild turmoil was raging. -
I1e hlsSeu me ana he loves met" she
muImured 10 herself He kissed me
on the lips. and he is mine aDd a
ms. The horror Of the loss of his shin
IS measured By his love for me. and I
can understand what that is bv mine
Tor him And 1 mcst take 1t away from
nlrn-Jnat snip. he did not weigh II in
the balance with me- But when TIE
crisis comes, what then? He kissed me
and / am his. I belong to him. Shall
the slave rebel against the master?''
She I0ok her hands from her face and
again where he stood shame-face6- con-
trite, and Yet inwardIy exuIting
What does 1t mean?" falteTed the
girl.
1T means'-he hesitated and threw
prudence to the wind-''it means that