The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-05-05

~ my WAUGH 70 NoAt Nub uuuI. nALeAg
two o'clock. Why. # was his trick OF
deck; he had deserted his position 70
come below. The Sea Queen was rush.
ing through the gloom with no ohicer
on the bridge. De Nova would be in his
bunk asleep. I sprang to my
room. and hastily finished dressing.
fully determined on standing out Tut
ties watch on deck. AS I came forth
again into the main cabin. winding a
muller about my throat, a vision In
white fronted me, g~rasping the table
to keep from falling.
what is Il, Mr.. stephens? What
has h%appenod?"
Nothing that need in any way
alarm you" and as the vessel gave a
sickening plunge, and her eyes opened
In apprehension. I caught her arm arm
~. Truly. believe me. there Is no
danger. Mr.. futile has been suddenly
taken ill, and ! am going to relieve
him on watch. You have confidence IN
me. have you not7"
Her eyes searched my face earnest.
ly, the gray depths full OF anxiety.
"Oh, yes"
Then now is the time 20 show Il.
I shall remain on deck. probably. until
morning. ! wish you to go back, lie
down and rest. Let me assist you 20
return to your stateroom.
] held her closely TO me. so closely
] could feel the throb Of her breathing.
The warmth OF her aesh. realizing that
she was clinging to me in utter forget
f~ulness. Only at the door did she
draw away slightly. yet even then
with her hands clasping my arm. her
hands clasplnE my arm. her eyes
gazing directly into mine.
you have told me ally"
"All Of the slightest importance;
tho details can wait daylight I ask
you to conndo In me now. and sleep.
May ! have your promlser-
There was something mysufying In
those gray eyes ! had never perceived
before. and she caught hor breath in a
quick sob.
Yes. she replied. simply. her
lashos dropping. you may have my
promise"
On deck I discovered tie yacht Ia.
boring desperately IN a heavy cross
sea, the sky clear, and two men strain
ing at the wheel In spite OF the star.
shine. they were 80 bundled up that !
was compelled 10 stare directly In
their faces before / could recognize
either.
Mr.. futile has been taken sick and
gone 10 his berth" / explained briefly.
Il Will serve out his watch. What
course have you1"
"-sou-sou,east by SOU. str"
glanced inquirinEly at the compass
card. and then forward. sweeping the
seas with my glasses. There was no
ice IN sight. but the bitter cold OF the
air was sufficient proof Of plenty o
far away.
Whom did Mr.. futile so attT" /
asked.
Bout 30 minutes ago. sir"
did he leave any word?"
He never said nothin. did he. Bii'
He'd been actin queer. an a.talkin'
to hisself. an all at once he rau down
the stops, an went aft. Bin an !
figured Il out as how maybe he was
cold an wanted a drink"
AZ four O'Clock. the sky already be.
ginning 20 mist ns II from |thickening
frost. / dispatched one Of tho hands
aft 90 rout out Do Nova. Ho came
stumbling up the steps. perhaps ten
mlnutes later. SIN rubbing tho sleep
out OF his eyes. but became wido
awake enough whom he recognized me.
"Saoro. wat was zla, Mons. ste.
srhon7 Were was 20 mater
Crouchlng behind tho |tarpaullna out
OF the keen sweep OF tho wind. ! OK
planned IN rapid detail what had oc.
CURED since he went below.
IL will probably have 20 be- watch
and watch with va. Dc Nova" l ended.
hrmiy. futile "a no longer ~ 10 be
left IN charge OF the deck, You agree
10 thatg"
He shrugged his shoulders.
by gar, 81 look like zaro was moss.
Ing else for a."
no; Il is tho only way. Can me al
the end OF your trick. IN look In on
Tuttle again as / go below"
/ did so. discovering him sull upon
hts back. HIS eyes wide open. staring
straight up al the deck-beams above.
{ is there anything Z car DO for sou.
Mr TuitJs?"
! He wet his parched lips with his
! tongue. turning his head ever SO
slightly at sound uf my voice
Another drink Of brandy" he NUT
tered, thickly. n don't see what Il
the matter with my legs; they won't
move"
, 1 brought him the iiouor. lining hl,
head so he might drink more easily
and expressing a hope that he would
feel much better BY morning He re
o turned no answer. and ! went aerosi
0 10 my berth and turned IN,
GRO BE CONTINUED
4