Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-06-17
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NsaGMACM1XHsN 1919

two o'clock. Why, it was his trick on
deck: he had deserted his position to
come below. The Sea Queen was rush.
ing through the gloom with no officer
| on the bridge. De Nova would be in his
bunk asleep. l sprang to my own
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
muffler about my throat, a vision In
white fronted me. grasping the table
to keep from falling.
What is 1t. Mr.. Stephens? What
has happened?"
Nothing that need In any way
alarm you." and as the vessel gave a
sickening plunge. and her eyes opened
in apprehension. l caught her arm firm-
ly. Truly. believe me. there is no
| danger. Mr.. Tuttle has been suddenly
taken i'll. and am going to relieve
him on watch. You have confidence in
| me. have you not?"
Her eyes searched my face earnest
ly. the gray depths full Of anxiety.
"Oh. yes."
Then now is the time to show II.
I shall remain on deck. probably. until
morning. l wish you to go back. lie
down and rest. Let me assist you to
| return to your stateroom."
! held her closely to me. so closely
could feel the throb OF her breathing.
the warmth OF her flesh. realizing that
she was clinging to me in utter forget
| fulness. Only at the door did she
draw away slightly. yet even then
with her hands clasping my arm. her
hands clasping my arm. her eyes
gazing directly into mine.
You have told me all?"
"All Of the slightest Importance:
the details can wait daylight. ! ask
you to confide In me now. and sleep.
May have your promIse?"
There was something mystifying In
those gray eyes l had never perceived
before. and she caught her breath In q
quick sob.
YES" she replied. simply. her
lashes dropping. you may have my
promise"
On deck discovered the 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 30 bundled up that I
was compelled to stare directly in
their faces before / could recognize
either.
Mr.. Tuttle has been taken sick and
gone to his BERTH" explained briefly.
Il will serve out his watch. What
course have your"
"Sou'sou'-east by SOU. SIR"
glanced inqulringly 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 not
far away.
when did Mr.. Tuttle go aft!"
asked.
Bout 80 minutes ago. SIR"
Did he leave any word?"
He never said nothin.' did he. Bill?
He'd been actin queer. an a-talkin'
to hisself. an all at once he ran down
figured It out as how maybe he was
cold. an wanted drink"
At four o'clock. the sky already be-
ginning to mist as II from teickening
frost. l dispatched one OF the hands
aft to rout out De Nova. He came
stumbling up the steps. perhaps ten
! minutes later. still rubbing the sleep
out of his eyes. but became wide
awake enough when he recognized me.
"Sacre. wat was zis. Mons. Ste
sphen? Were was re mate?'
Crouching behind the tarpaulins out
OF the keen sweep OF the wind, I ex-
planned in rapid detail what had oc-
CURED since he went below.
1T will probably have to be watch
and watch with US. De Nova" ended.
firmly. futile is no longer fit to be
left in charge Of the deck. You agree
to that?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
BY gar. 1t look like zare was moss
ing else for it."
NO; It is the only way. Call me at
the end Of your trick. I'll look In on
Tuttle again as I go below"
l did SO. discovering him still upon
his back, his eyes wide open. staring
straight up at the deck-beams above.
rs there anything can do for you.
Mr.. Tuttle?"
He wet his parched lips with his
tongue. turning his head ever SO
slightly at sound Of my voice.
Another drink Of brandy" he NUT
teIeO, thICkly. 1 uOu see Wudt -
the matter with my legs: they won't
move"
brought him the liquor, lifting his
head 30 he might drink more easily.
and expressing a hope that he would
feel much better by morning. He re-
turned no answer. and l went across
to my own berth and turned In.
CTo BE CoNTINUED.)