The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1910-02-11
JEW
hSSN U1LIlmlS
] M0a124zMW RA zA0MAzM
@98%wAcHsdMTs@ 1913

This, I figured, was probably the berth
of the first officer; the captains room
would naturally be the one farthest
astern.
The upright piano, with the high
backed cushioned chairs surrounding
It, blocked my view aft, but on round.
ing these | observed a closed door,
which apparently led into a room
extending the entire width of the
cabin. Never suspecting that 1t might
be occupied, / grasped the brass knob,
and stepped within. Instantly | came
to a full stop, dazed by establishment,
my teeth clenched in quick effort at
self-control. The entire scene burst
in upon my consciousness with that
first surprised survey-the draped
portfolios opening out upon the gray
fog-bank, the brass bed screwed to
the deck, the chairs upholstered in
green plush, the polished table with a
vase of flowers topping it, the glisten-
ing front of a bookcase in the corner.
the tiger rug into which my feet sank.
All these things | perceived. scarcely
iCdiLlI6 lHdL l. w oO, " II OAiC
true impression concentrated itself
upon the living occupants.
There were two present. At a low
dressing table, her back toward me,
fronting a mirror. yet with eyes
fastened upon al open book lying in
her lap, sat a m The lowered
head yielded me only an indistinot out
| line nf hnr fQafIrpC Unt tho fn1 throat
and rounded cheek gave pledge of
both youth and beauty. Standing al
most directly behind her chair, with
short, curly locks, crowned by a smart
white cap, her hands busted amid her
mistresses' tresses, was a maid, petite,
roguish. tiuttering about like a hum
ming bird. The latter saw me at once,
pausing in her work with eyes wide
open in surprise, but the preoccupied
mistress did not even glance up. She
must have heard the sound OF the
door, however, for she spoke care
lessly:
Il thought you were lever coming
What caused you to sail so suddenly
These unexpected words, uttered Sc
naturally, served partially to rouse
me from the dull torpor of surprise.
clenched my hands, wondering If
was really awake, and stared back into
the frightened eyes of the maid, whit
appeared equally incapable of articula
ton, Suddenly she found voice.
1T is not re one, madame" she
cried, shrinking back. Non, non; II
is IN homme stranger"
What is that you say, Celeste?'
and the other arose swiftly to hel
feet, the open book dropping to the
floor as she turned to face me. In
stantly | recognized her, in spite Of
the long hair trailing unconfined fal
below her waist--recognized her witt
a sudden leap upward of my heart into
my thoat. There was no semblance o.
fear, only u~ndisguised amazement, IN
the dark gray eyes that met mine.
"What-what is the meaning of thi:
strange intrusion? Are you a member
of the crew."
Instantly my cap came off, the
thought occurring to me of what
rough figure l must be making in n!
soaked jacket, with the glistenipl
peak of my cap shadowing my face.
mo, madame" and | bowed before
her Il I'M not one of your crew. M!
my entrance here was entirely /;
mistake"
She leaned forward, one white hant
grasping the back of her chair, the ex
preston in her eyes changing as sb'
read my face, p%erplexity merging int
faint recollection.
Il do not quite comprehend sh'
confessed at last, changing her speecl
YOU are Senior Estevan?"