Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-04-19

fear welling up In her breast because
Of the grim anger that seemed to blaze
at her from every line Of Coke's brick
red coun.enance. In the struggle 10
pour forth the excuses and protesta-
tions that sounded so plausible in'her
own ears. while secured from ol'serra-
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-
knowledge me?" she cried. with
nervous Indignation that lent trenor
to her voice. "You have met NE often
enough. You saw me on Sunday at
my uncle's house."
"Did IL" said Coke, speaking at last.
but really Us much at loss for some
thing to say as the girl herself He
had recognized her Instantly. just as
he would recognize the moon II the
luminary fell from the sky and with
rs little comprehension Of the cause OF
its falling.
OF course she took the question as
forerunner of blank denial. This was
not to be borne. She fired into d.
rect attack.
IF your memory Is hazy concerning
the events Of Sunday afternoon 1t may
be helpful If l recall the conversation
between my uncle and you In the sum-
mer house." she snapped.
Some Of the glow fed from Coke's
face.
"Wots that you're saying" demand
ed Coke, coming nearer and looking
her straight In the eyes.
IL heard every word Of that interest
ing talk" she continued valiantly. u
know what you arranged to do, 30 l
have promised-to marry Mr.. Bulmer-
when the Andromeda-comes back"
A light broke OH Coke's Intelligence
that irradIatcd his prominent eyes.
His heavy lips relaxed into a cunning
grin.
"Oh. Is that it?" he said. "Artful
old dog. Verify! But why in-why
didn't e tell me you was comm
aboard this trlp1 We 'avent't the right
f,xin's for lady. so you must put up
with the best we can do for you. Miss
Yorke. Steady. now. You amt a-goin'
TO faint, are your HI! Below thereT
he yelled. Tumble up. some OF you"
Hozier was the Hrst to gain the
bridge. He had followed the progress
of events with sufficient accuracy to
realize that Miss Iris Yorks had met
with a distinct rebuff by the skipper.
and. Judging from his own experience
of her physical weakness when she
emerged into daylight. he was not sur
prised to hear that she had tainted.
"Ere. take old" gurgled Coke. who
had nearly swallowed the cigar In bis
surprise at Iris unforeseen collapse.
"Thls bind Of thing Is more in youi
line than mine, young feller. Just Lay
'er out in the saloon an Ak Watts to
'elp. His missus goes orr regular
wen they bring i'm 'ome paralytic.
Philip took the girl into bis arms.
TO carry her safely down the steep
stairway he was compelled to place
her head on his left shoulder and
clasp her tightly round the waist with
his left arm Some loosened STRANDS
of her hair touched his face He
could feel the lab0ring Of her breast
the wild beating Of her heart. ana ne
was exceeding wroth with that un'
known man or woman who had driven
this insensible girl to such straits that
she was ready to dare the discomfofts
and deprivations Of q voyage a q
stowaway rather than bs persecuteo
further.
Iris was laid on a couch In the mess
room. and the steward summoned MI.
Watts. The chief officer came. look
Ing sheepish. It was manlfestiy a
great relief when he found that tne
"ghost" was unconscious.
-Oh, that's nothing" he cried IN re-
sponse to his juniors eager demand
for information AZ to the treatment
best fitted for such emergencies.
'sThey all drop In a heap like tnat
wen they're worried. Fust you taxes
lorf their gloves an boots. then you