The Irish standard., 1910-07-23

and made more. The sun wore to the
west, the last quail was cooked, the
7 captain was providently gorged with
! alternate courses Of bird and broth,
when Virginia. very stately and very
reserved, opened the door and walked
out upon the gallery. Carson shrank
!; back into the kitchen and showed the
captain into the breach.
How do you do, ma'am?" he in
quired solicitously. "Ah sho' hope yo'
bette aftah yo' Sleep"
RI Much better, thank you; ~ she re-
piled. - - :. =.
..We. have some partridge broth.
ma'am,'' he went on, with rice, land
"a baked yam. and planked green
trout from the lake back hyah, and
some coffee. Sit down. ma'am, and
Ah'll suhve it,
The little table was spread on the
gallery, its top made of the head OF. a
derelict cask, Its. legs Of barnacled
sections Of boom. virginia's head
ached in dreadful. similitude to the
traditional feeling of the morning after.
but the coffee fragrance was pleasant.
You are too good" said she. accept
ing the chair. Il shall be glad to eat
a little. Where is your-your friend?"
Hes som'eres about" replied the
captain. "Ah really don't know. ma am.
Won't you please take yo' coffee?"
The coffee was black and strong.
The broth was temptation. and she
\ slipped with increasing appetite. But
tered yam and planked trout brought
the: meal to a triumphant end. Yet
where was she. and how should she
depart? Where was the Roc? Who
were these men? The guns. the brass
instruments that looked as If they per-
tanned to navigation. the big window
less shed, all suggested things nautical,
bold and nefarious. The kindness and
scourtesy Of the rough looking fellows
treasured her as to her personal safe
5ty. Yet IL they were smugglers or
.2freebooters how could they safely re-
turn her to- the civilization of coast
guards and constables? 1t was deli
ciousiy romantic but how creepy!
She turned to Captain Harrod with
an expression SO; agitated that he, was
somewhat startled.
II wish you would say to the lieu.
/ tenant" said she. that must see
him. at once If possible"
The fisherman analysed this speech
for perhaps q minute in absolute ST.
lence, then he said. .'Yes. ma'am." and
4 Instantly produced Carson. who, so
Far as Virginia could Judge. had been
within the captains sight when she
3 had been assured that his whereabouts
J. were unknown.
'.You are," said the young man.
! avoiding any reference; to her recovery.
doubtless wondering where your
companions may be and thinking it
i strange that they have not returned?"
ut is strange" said she. Some
/. thing must have happened to the en-
. gines." .s ~
no" said Theodore. mot that.
I They all but blew out to- sea. They
simply had to fight their way of to.
ward. Pensacola. where they must have
made harbor It was almost half a
! gale"
"And so-they went--and left met"
'They really couldn't help It," urged
. the young man.
at shows the sort Of man silberberg
is," she cried holly. And now per-
.haps you will be SO good as to help
I me to some conveyance 10 Mobile?"
81 have boat on the lake" said
I Carson, .shalf mile inland. There ts
q channel to Palmetto Beach. The
boat and crew are at your service"
ri should prefer to walk, II you
please" said she. Is ia
Unless you hare 8 day Or two 70