The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-04-29

CONTINUED
1.-THE Andromeda will not put into
Queenstown. From this hour / become
a passenger, not stowaway. My un
Gle knows now that am here. Thanb
you. You need not hold me any long
er. l have quite recovered. Captain
Coke is on the bridge, you said? car
find my way. This ship is no stranger
to me-"
And away she went, justifying her
statements by tripping rapidly for
ward. The mere sight of her created
boundless excitement among such
members Of the crew as were on deck
When she reached the bridge, where
Captain Coke was propped against the
chart house, she had lost a good deal
Of the pallor and woebegone semblance
that had demoralized Hozier.
Coke heard the rapid, light footsteps
and turned his head. Certainly he
could not have been more stupefied
had he seen the ghost reported over
night.
They told me l should find you
here, captain" said she. 81 must apol-
ogize for thrusting my company on
you for a long voyage, but-circum-
stances-were-too much for me-
and
Face to face with the commander of
the ship and startled anew by his ex-
preston Of blank incredulity, the glib
flow of words conned so often during
the steadfast but dreadful hours spent
in the lazarette failed her.
"You know me-" she faltered. II am
Iris Yorke."
Not a syllable came from the irate
and astonished man gazing at her
with such bovine stolidity. His Shout
ders had not abated fraction Of their
stubborn thrust against the frame Of
the chart house. His hands were i'm
movable in the pockets Of his REFER
coat. Had he wished to terrify her by
hostile reception he could not have
succeeded more completely, though, to
be just. he meant nothing Of the sort,
his wits being jumbled into chaos by
the apparition Of the last person then
alive whom he expected or desired to
see on board the Andromeda.
But Iris could not interpret his mood,
and she strove vainly to conquer the
fear yelling up in her breast because
Of the grim anger that seemed to blaze
at her from every line of Coke's brick
red countenance. In the struggle to
pour forth the excuses and protesta-
tons that sounded so plausible in her
own ears, while secured from observa-
ton behind the locked door of her re-
treat, she blundered unhappily on to
the very topic that she had resolved to
keep secret.
why are you so unwilling to ac-
me?" she cried, with a
nervous Indignation that lent tremor
to her voice. "You have met me often
enough. You saw me on Sunday at |
my uncle's house."
did II" said Coke, speaking at last, |
but really as much at q loss for some |
thing to say as the girl herself. He |
had recognized her instantly. just as
ne would recognize the moon IL the |
urinary fell from the sky and with |
Is little comprehension Of the cause of |
is falling.
OF course she took the question as a
'orerunner Of blank denial This was
lot to be borne. She fred into a d.
ect attack.
IF your memory is hazy concerning
he events Of Sunday afternoon it may
,e helpful IL recall the conversation
,etween my uncle and you in the sum-
ner house," she snapped.
Some Of the glow fed from Coke's
ace.
"Wot's that you're sayin'Y demand
d Coke, coming nearer and looking
Ter straight in the eyes.
II heard every word Of that interest
ne talk" she continued valiantly. II
now what you arranged to do, so
ave promised-to marry Mr.. Bulmer-
vhen the Acknowledgements backv'
A light broke on Coke's intelligence
hat irradiated his prominent eyes.
lis heavy lips relaxed into a cunning
rim.
"Oh, is that it?' he said. "Artful
Id dog, Verify! But why in-why
Iidn't e tell me you was comm
board this trip? We 'avent't the right
xin's for a lady, so you must put up I
nth the best we can do for you, Miss
orke. Steady. now. You amt a-goin' '
, faint, are you? Hi! Below therer |
e yelled. Tumble up, some Of you" !
Hozier was the first to gain the
ridge He had followed the progress
events with sufficient accuracy to
ealize that Miss Iris Yorke had met {
nth distinct rebuff by the skipper,
nd, judging from his own experience
her physical weakness when she
merged into daylight, he was not sur
rised to hear that she had tainted.
Ere, take odd" gurgled Coke, who 6
ad nearly swallowed the cigar In his q
- IL