The Montgomery tribune., 1910-04-01

from the exerllOn, i Slanceu curlOusiy
at my watch to note the hour. Barely
two o'clock. Why, 1t 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. / sprang to my own
| room, and hastily finished dressing,
| fully determined on standing out Tut
| ties watch on deck. AS | came forth
again into the main cabin, winding a
mufTler about my throat, a vision in
white fronted me, grasping the table
to keep from falling.
What is it, Mr.. Stephens? What
has happened?"
|. Nothing that need in any way
alarm you," and as the vessel gave
sickening plunge, and her eyes opened
in apprehension, 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 it.
I shall remain on deck, probably, until
morning. | 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. l ask
you to confide in me now, and sleep.
May have your promise?"
There was something mystifying in
those gray eyes / had never perceived
before, and she caught her breath in a
quick sob.
YES" she replied, simply, her
lashes dropping, you may have my
promise"
l On deck l discovered the yacht la.
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 so bundled up that
was compelled to stare directly in
; their faces before l 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 ~ SOU, SIR"
I l glanced inquiringly at the compass
card, and then forward, sweeping the
; seas with my glasses. There was nc
i ice in sight, but the bitter cold of the
+ air was sufficient proof of plenty moi
far away.
When did Mr.. Tuttle go aft?"
l. 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 dowI
- the steps, an went aft. Bill an
+, figured it out as how maybe he wa
n cold. an wanted drink"
~ At four o'clock, the sky already be
:. ginning to mist as if from thickeninl
- frost, / dispatched one of the hand
aft to rout out De Nova. He cam
stumbling up the steps, perhaps tel
le minutes later. still rubbing the slee
g out of his eyes, but became wild
:. awake enough when he recognized me
- "Sacre, wat was zis, Mons. Ste
;. sphen? Were was re mater"
~ Crouching behind the tarpaulins ou
n' of the keen sweep of the wind, e1
- planned in rapid detail what had OF
. CURED since he went below.
- 1T will probably have to be watc
- and watch with us, De Nova" endeC
firmly. futile is no longer fit to
~ left in charge of the deck. You agre
to that?"
A He shrugged his shoulders.
re ''By gar, it look like zare was nos;
ing else for it,
ne mo; it is the only way. Call me 6
le' the end of your trick. I'll look in o
IL Tuttle again as / go below"
ut | did so, discovering him still upo
his back. his eyes wide open, starin
IL straight up at the deck-beams above.
If rs there anything ! can do for yo,
m Mr.. Tuttle?"
nd He wet his parched lips with h
nd tongue, turning his head ever S
slightly at sound of my voice.
Another drink of brandy" he mu
lir tered, thickly. Il don't see what
ng the matter with my legs; they won
in move
i'm brought him the liquor. lifting
re. head so he might drink more easil
ng and expressing a hope that he wou
at. feel much better by morning. He r
he turned no answer, and went acrol
he to my own berth and turned in.