The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-04-01
CHAPTER Xl.-Continued.

CHAPTER xl.-continued.
This unexpected and undesirable in.
formation seemed fairly to stun the
fellows, their eyes meeting blankly. !
heard Bill Anderson wear
THE question ia, 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.
Then futile gave oily utterance to
words of compromise.
me all out, sir" he acknowledged. Il
don't exactly cotton to either of those
idees Of yours. an Isdon't know what
10 best. l guess I'll have to talk it
over with my mates here first, but you
can tell them ladies that we'll get 'em
out somehow before we turn south.
Anyhow. they don't need to worry
none bout bein' ~ill-treated. Then
take it. sir, that you mea to sail with
us!"
There doesn't appear to be any.
thing else l can do"
You're about right there. Well,
let's shake hands on it,"
did SO. deliberately ignoring both
the others. and feeling my flesh
witch when I touched his flabby palm,
futile 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 = good hand at that sort O
Job"
We passed out together into the
bright sunlight On deck, and l re.
manned In silence for q moment be.
side the rail. gazing forth across the
empty sea. Had I done what was
right in al these circumstances? I'm.
der God, l vas not really certain; yet
! could perceive no other action pos.
sible.
A slenderly built, stoop-shouldered
young fellow, who shufled about like
waiter ashore, was In the pantry,
and I noticed q white cloth spread
over the table, which had been low.
cred from its %stanchions and now &C.
cupled the center Of the main cabin,
and Z swinging shelf suspended above.
liver act In this capacity before.
Dado?" I asked. sizing him up in the
dim light.
"0h. 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
A.leur, sir" in surprise.
THAT IL what l said, Dade: two
ladt1e. Mr.. Tuttle, and myself. That
makes four to my figuring. Now step
lively, my lad. When will breakfast
b ready to serve?"
ia about Is minutes. SIR"
waited until he became busy with
his work, his face still filled with
amusement over my revelation, then
walked around the end Of the piano,
and raped softly at the a~fter-cabin
door. Celeste opened the door with
Z dainty courtesy and . quick uplift.
Ing 81 frightened eyes to my face. She
had been crying. and in some way her
very manner made me suddenly
aware how poorly ! stood + the est
nation Of her mistress and herself.
Yet, for the moment, I did not seri-
cusly care. stepping quietly within.
cap n hand. intent merely on the
rapid completion Of my visit. Lady
Darlington arose instantly from her
char. steadying herself to the roll OF
TIE Vessel with one hand on the brass
rallNof the bed, and frDnted me ST.
lent the expression Of her face ex-
- nt but reserved. Casing upon
ners4 Afelt the fully revealed power OF
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