The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-04-14
CHAPTER xI.-cOntlnued.

This unexpected and undesirable IN
formation seemed fairly 20 stun the
fellows, their eyes meeting blankly.
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
ashore2"
None Of the three men ventured 70
glance toward me. and for a long
moment no answering voice spoke.
Then futile gave oily utterance 10
words Of compromise.
Blame II this don't sort o. knock
me all out. sir" he acknowledged. Il
don't exactly cotton to either Of those
idees OF yours. an / don't know what
Is best. ! guess III have 10 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
nom bout bein' m-treated. Then
take IT, sir. that you mean to sail with
u.s."
There doesn't appear to be any
thing else ] can do"
You're about right there. Well.
let's shake hands on t."
l did so. deliberately ignoring both
the others. and feeling my flesh
witch when l touched his iabby palm.
futile chewed savagely on the tobac-
co In his cheek.
Damn the womenl" he commented
in sudden anger. Better give the
crew their breakfast, Anderson. Mr..
stephens. I've sent Dade into the
cabin 10 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 / re.
malned In silence for a be
side the rail. gazing forth across the
empty sea. Had I done what was
right In all these circumstances? Tn.
der God. ! was not really certain; yet
| could perceive no other action pos.
slble.
A sleuderly built, stoop-shouldered
young fellow. who shufiod about like
a walter ashore, was Ia the pantry.
and ! noticed a white cloth spread
over the table. which had been low.
cred from IT'S stanchions and now oc.
cupied the center OF the main cabin.
and q swinging shelf suspended above.
Ever net in this capacity before
pado7 asked. sizing him up In the
aim light
"oh. yes. SIR" a slight lisp to his
Tongue. I've done cabin work on the
coast liners"
Then you should surely understand
your business. Lay covers for four"
-Four. sir?" IN surprise.
That IS what ! said. Dade, two
ladies'. Mr futile. and myself. That
makes four 20 ny figuring Now step
lively. my lad. when will breakfast
b. ready 20 serye7'
I'm about l5 minutes, sir"
/ waited until he became busy with
his work, bis face atill filled with
amazement over my revelation. then
walked around the end OF the piano.
and raped softly al the aner-cabiu
door. Celeste opened the door with
a dainty courtesy and a quick uplift.
ing OF frightened 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. 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 s%teadying herself 10 the roll Of
the vessel with one hand on the brass
rail- Of the he'd. and fronted me 81.
lentiy. the expression OF her face eH.
pectant but reserved. Gazing upon
her. I felt the fully revealed power Of
asr beauty. "a the sunlight streaming