The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-09-29
CHAPTER xI.-contlnued.

CHAPTER Nl.-Contlnued.
This unexpected and undesirable In
formation seemed fairly TO stun the
fellows, their eyes meeting blankly.
heard Bill Anderson swear.
"The question is, how can we best
dispose OF them? This is no excur
sion for ladies', no pleasure trip of any
kind, we've started on Shall we hail
some passing vessel and trans-ship,
them, or shall we run in TO Juan Fer.
nandez and put them both safely
ashore?"
None Of the three men ventured to
glance toward me, and for a long
moment no answering voice spoke
Then Tuttle gave oily utterance to
words of compromise.
Blame If this don't sort O. knock
me all out, sir" he acknowledged. 81
don't exactly cotton to either of those
idees of yours, an don't know what
is best. / guess I'll have to talk 1t
over with my mates here first, but you
can tell them ladies that we'll get 'em
out somehow before we turn south.
Anyhow. they don't need to worry
none bout bein' ill-treated. Then
take it, sir, that you mean to sail with
us?"
There doesn't appear to be any
thing else l can do"
You're about right there. Well,
let's shake hands on It,"
l did so, deliberately ignoring both
the others, and feeling my flesh
twitch when touched his flabby palm.
Tuttle chewed savagely on the tobac.
co in his cheek.
Damn the women!" he commented
in sudden anger. Better give the
crew their breakfast, Anderson. Mr.
Stephens, I've sent Dade into the
cabin to attend things aft. He'll
make a good hand at that sort O.
job"
We passed out together into the
bright sunlight on deck, and l re-
mained in silence for a moment be-
side the rail, gazing forth across the
empty sea. Had ! done what was
right in all these circumstances? I'm
der God, was not really certain; yet
/ could perceive no other action pos
sible.
A slenderly built, stoop-shouldered
young fellow, who shuffled about like
a waiter ashore, was in the pantry,
and notSed white cloth spread
over the table, which had been low
cred from its stanchions and now oc-
cupied the center of the main cabin,
and swinging shelf suspended above.
Ever act in this capacity before,
Dade?" l asked, sizing him up in the
dim light
"Oh, yes, sir" slight lisp to his
tongue; I've done cabin work on the
coast liners"
Then you should surely understand
your business. Lay covers for four"
-Four, sir?" in surprise
THAT is what l said, Dade; two
ladies, Mr.. Tuttle, and myself. That
makes four to my figuring. Now step
lively, my lad. When will breakfast
be ready to server"
"In about 10 minutes, sir"
] waited until he became busy with |
his work, his face still filled with |
amazement over my revelation, then |
walked around the end of the piano,
and raped softly at the after-cabin
door. Celeste opened the door with |
a dainty courtesy and a quick uplift- |
ing Of frightened eyes to my face. She !
had been crying, and in some way her
very manner made me suddenly |
aware how poorly stood in the esti-
nation of her mistress and herself |
Yet, for the moment, / did not seri- !
ously care, stepping quietly within,
cap in hand, intent merely on the
rapid completion Of my visit. Lady
arose instantly from her
chair, steadying herself to the roll of
the vessel with one hand on the brass
nail of the bed and fronted me ST.
Actant but reserved. Gazing upon
! felt the fully revealed power of
beauty, as the sunlight streaming
ugh the open port illumined her
and outlined the delicate oval Of
ace Troubled as she was, sur
I'd by terror no less real be-
he failed thoroughly to compre-
facing one she must distrust
retly fear, her first utterance,
and courteous, merely exhib-
art which beat warmly be-
slight armor Of pride.
ceedingly glad to greet you
Stephens,' she said, pleas
pdeavoring to smile; you
10 long we had begun to
VS."
say, Lady Darlington
only very little Of any (