The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-03-30

VIVA. is 1t. Mr.. Stephens What
has happened?"
Nothing that need in any way
| alarm yOu." and as the vessel gave q
sickening plunge. and her eyes opened
in apprehension. caught her arm firm
| ~. Truly. believe me. there Is no
danger. Mr.. futile has been suddenly
taken Ill. and 1 am going to relieve
him on watch. You have confidence in
ME. have you not?"
Her eyes searched my face earnest
~. the gray depths full of anxiety.
"Oh. yes"
Then now Is the time to show e.
I shall remain on deck. probably. until
morning. l wish you to 90 back. lie
down and rest. Let me assist you to
return to your statero0m."
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 I 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 I discovered the yacht la
boring desperately In q heavy cross
sea. the sky clear. and two men strain
ing at the wheel. In spite of the star
shine. they were so bundled up that
was compelled to stare directly In
their faces before l could recognize
either
Mr.. futile has been taken sick and
gone TO his berth" explained briefly.
Il will serve out his watch What
course have you?"
"SOu-sOu'-east by SOU, sir"
glanced inquiringly 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.. futile so aft?" I
asked.
Bout 30 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 |
tie steps. an went aft. Bill an I
figured it out as how maybe he was
cold. an wanted drink"
At four o'clock. the sky already be-
to mist as if from thickening
frost. l dispatched one of the hands
aft to rout out De Nova. He came
up the steps. perhaps ten
minutes later. still rubbing the sleep
out of his eyes. but became wide
awake enough when he recognized me.
"Sacrc. wat was zis. Mons. Ste
Sphen? Were was &c mate?"
Crouching behind the tarpaulins out
of the keen sweep of the wind, l ex.
planned in rapid detail what had &C.
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. it look like care was moss
ing else for it,
No: it is the only way. Call me at
the end of your trick. Ill look in on
futile again as so below"
did SO. discovering him still upon
his back. his eyes wide open. staring |:
straight up at the deck-beams above. {
rs there anything l can do for you.
Mr. Tuttle?"
He wet his parched lips with his
Tongue. turning his head ever SO +,
slightly ut sound of my voice.
Another drink of brandy" he NUT
tered. thickly. Il don't see what is ,
he matter with my legs; they won't |.
move
l brought him the liquor. lifting his
head SO he might drink more easily. ,
md expressing a hope that he would
EEL much better by morning. He re- ,
urned no answer. and l went across
% my own berth and turned in.
,eT.xn