The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-02-09
CHAPTER VIil.-Continued.
She bent her head slightly.

What vessel is this
The s. cam yacht Sea Queen of Iiy
errool, owned by Lord Darlington.
she announced. soberly, her face ant
lips white.
How came ven anchored of tn
government docks?"
by special permission Of the preSi
dente. We We're towrd into that bert
early last evening. after the Esmer
aida had been hauled up against thC
quay TO ship armament and stores"
I drew = deep breath.
Gould yoI tell me if il was known
to others that you contemplated
anchoring there"
She heSitatcd. her Inns slightly ana-t
zee.
1T is mcst important that I learn
the exact truth" ! urged. earnestly
i ask from no idle curiosity"
Il am not generally consulted in
such matters. senior" she admitted
but | believe We had been waiting
several days for the opportunity TO
idhc blihl ltSitlOH- 4 his is Is L nave
been told"
She seemed to be awaiting my eX-
PLANTATION. striving TO be courteous. yet
with her Impotence slightly evidenced
by the continual tapping of her foot
on the rug. Eut was not yet
through with my questioning.
Were no officers left on board last
night"
Her gray eyes widened.
Certainly yes; the first officer and
the engineer were in charge when re-
tired The others. with the majority
of the crew. had gone ashore at sun
down 10 enjoy The fun. But why do
you ASA. senior? Are these not on
board ROW."
Il regret being compelled TO answer
no. Only the engineer three of the
harhor watch. and some KanaIia fire
men have been found. | have discov-
cred no trace OF the first officer"
"Then-then he must have rowed
ashore with Two CT the men." she ex-
claimed.
how CHANGED You to De left here
alone"
She hesitatpd. her hands clasred
On the chairhack. her bosom rising
and falling TREMENDOUSLY Yet finally she
forced her lips To reply. as though thus
seeking the quickest way OF clarifying
the situat ION.
We were all invited 10 the palace
Of the presidcnie to listen to the
species and view TIE fireworks. Lord
Darlington was greatly interested.
and most DESTROYS OF attending. The
unfortunate scene which occurred at
the hotel early in the evening left
ne. however, with so severe a head
.scha t--ai begged 10 be allowed to re-
main here '"e with Celeste. At first
both Lord Dari: igtcn and mamma re- |
fused to C"12rt without me. but whom ,,
tie LreSidente dispatched his own
steam launch 10 convey the party TO |
the w.22:f they decided it would be !
I2fs'st GiscCrrtCcgs not TO attend. Lord !
Dar,ingro,.s membership in the house |
of lords gives him d certain official
recognition abroad which ne does not |
care TO have iarse. The yachts cap |
tain accompanied them. and no dream !!
of evi, Detailing those left behind ever |
occurred to any one Of us. o senior, !
tell me. what does it all mean? What |
has happened:
Il presume | must explain" | said,
regrcttully. although it is not an
easy task 10y any means. You will
have confidence in ne. Miss Doris"
- shall cnGeayCT to do So she re-
turned. an increasing GOODNESS IN her
voice. But am Lady Darlington"
Your pardon: supposed you 10 be
thai gentleman 5 daughter.
The color swept in a wave of rich
crimson into her cheeks. the gray eyes
becoming darker.
Nevertheless. senior, am Lord
Darlington's Wife
Even in that moment of embar-
rassment and perpleXity, when l was
scarcely less agitated than herself,
this unexpected announcement of such
a relationship came TO me as shock.
Why it should, what difference it could
possibly make. | did not in the least
realize, yet | was instantly conscious
of the disappointment. of deep regret
The revelation. thus calmly, proudly
made. was so unexpected, so destruc-
tive of all my previous conceptions. as
TO seem an impossibility. Could this
young. clear-eyed woman be indeed
the wife of that grim, inactive, ancient
voar of rho raaIn,p
You apparently question the truth
of my Words she remarked, coldly
observant.
1T was only the natural surprise of
moment, Lady Darlington"
fastened to apologize. The thought
of your marriage had never before &C.
CURED to me-
She looked directly into my eyes
her own plainly indignant, yet her