Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-05-27
CHAPTER xI.-continued.

This unexpected and undesirable in
formation seemed fairly to stun the
fellows. their eyes meeting blankIy.
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 a long
moment no answering voice spoke.
words Of compromise.
blame II this don't sort o. knock
me all out, SIR" he acknowledged. II
Hkpn't exactly cotton to either Of those
1dees Of yours. an don't know what
Is best. I guess I'll have to talk II
over with my mates here first. but you
can tell them ladies' that well get 'em
out somehow before We turn south.
Anyhow. they don't need to worry
none bout beln' ill-treated. Then !
take II. sir. that you mean to sail with
us?"
There doesn't appear to be any
thing else I can do"
You're about right there. Well.
let's shake hands on It."
I did so. deliberately ignoring both
the others. and feeling my flesh
twitch when touched his flabby palm.
Tuttle chewed savagely on the tobac-
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 a good hand at that sort O.
Job"
We passed out together into the
bright sunlight on deck. and I re-
mained in silence for a moment be-
side the rail. gazing forth across the
empty sea. Had done what was
right in all these circumstances? Un-
der God, ! was not really certain: yet
! could perceive no other action pos
sible.
A slenderly built, stoop-shouldered
young fellow. who shunled about like
a waiter ashore. was In the pantry.
Ind ! noticed a white cloth spread
over the table, which had been low
0ed from its stanchions and now oc-
cupied the center Of the main cabin,
and a swinging shelf suspended above.
Ever act in this capacity before.
Dade?" I asked. sizing him up in the
dim light.
"Oh, yes. SIR" a slight lisp to his
tongue; 1--WE done cabin work or the
coast liners"
Then you should surely understand
your business. Lay covers for four"
-Four. sir?" in surprise.
That is what I said. Dade; two
ladies'. Mr.. Tuttle. and myself. That
makes four to my figuring. Now step
lively, my lad. When will breakfast
be ready to server
In 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. Celeste opened the door with
a dainty courtesy and q quick uplift-
ing Of frighter ned eyes 10 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-
ously 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
tho y,eeoJ with npe hand nm tho hrn g
rail OF the bed. and fronted me ST.
lently. the expression OF her face ex-
pectant but reserved. Gazing upon
Ar. I felt the fully revealed power of
Eer beauty, as the sunlight streaming