The Washington times., 1911-04-06

| anxiety.
Norah awoke early, with a start of
miserable apprehension, to find Mrs.
l.orrimer standing by her berthslde'
watching her with penetrating, cal
culating stare which alarmed as wei!
as mystihed its object. The older wo-
man had wearied with her long spell
of wakefulness. What counsel the night
had brought her may not be guessed,
but in the clear, merciless gray of dawn
her face showed drawn and hagSard.
Lines gathered about her eyes, betray-
ing her-fne, small, almost invisible
wrinkles that wrote her Enthusiastically
for a woman beyond thirty, in the prime
of her power and mentality, at her
! most dangerous age.
| To her NOrah presented the unfat-
| tering contrast of adolescence fresh
! flushed from a slumber undisturbed by
| care, unveXed by carking ambition.
| That Mrs. Lorrimer should see and real
| ize this was unavoidable; but il she re-
sented 1t naturally, knowing too the
| abyss that yawned between her world
marked soul and the firm purity Of the
girl, by no infection of word or look
askance did she betray her envy.
NJ i prefer @ to believe that she harbored
no such petty emotion. woman of
t9rce' playing for stakes high beyond
1 the average, and with bold reckless
ness that compelled admiration. any
lechng of envy, hatred, malice, or un-
charltableneSs would have been in i'll
accord with the barbaric, splendid law
lcssness of her character. Indeed, the
| impatient harshness of her previous
manner toward the girl had abated per-
cepubly when she at length spoke, al
| though they were now for the first
| time meeting on common ground as wo-
men.
He is resting easily" she told Norah.
You had best go and watch while l
| get little sleep"
is he in danger, senora?"
In1 afR
His temperature is still high. | can't
answer for his safety If this storm con-
| tinues. The roll of the ship is likely to
reopen the wound"
Il will so Immediately. Why did you
not call me? l must have fallen asleep
waiting for you
1t was unnecessary; you could have
done nothing"
Still. l might have relieved you,
sonora
Il chose not to- she interrupted i'm
periously, then continued more kindly:
You needed the rest, child. and l did
not"
Il thank YOU" responded Norah SIM
ply. Il am much refreshed"
i don't think you'll have much to
trouble you. but if he wakes. or should
the wound break again. l shall be in
my, room. Call me at once"
You are very kind, senora.''
Mrs. Lorrimer leveled her brows de-
terminedly; this was the opening for
which she had maneuVered.
"So?' she said sharply. Il am kind,
senorita? And why, If YOU please?
What is Mr. Haigh to you?''
Much
You love him, them"
The. direct personality of this cross
examination become annoying, imper-
tinent. North began to resent 1t; her
fathers high spirit came out in the
trace of hauteur which she infused in
to her reply.
Il might quote Mr.. Haigh himself.
madam: That IS a delicate question:
But since you have been so kind to him,
50 COnsiderate Af US both, | will tell
This was honest. unaffected truth,
having no thought of deceit.
Mrs. Lorrimer went directly to her
point
Then have any claim upon YOU.
senorita, for this kindness of mine?'
'Assuredly. madam"
You will grant me a favor?"
The girl hesitated, not unnaturally.
thing, senorita. Merely this, that wish
to preserve my inCognta. Besides your
self, Fetter, and the general, to all
on board ! am Mr.. Arthur. l wish to
remain so. Will YOU keep my secret?"
There was an awkward pause, the
girl remaining cOnfuSedlv silent, un-
certain what reply to make. The wSm-
AN OWNED the cause of her perplex-
ity.
NY motive is private matter"
Indeed, senorita. indeed! Come.
am waiting for my answer" She
tapped her foot upon the floor angri
ly.
Il agree then. upon one con-"
"lou will agree unCOnditionally or
not at all Remember, !, too, nurse
Mr. Haigh."
The veiied threat had its effect Hav-
ing no gaGe wherewith to measure
the depths of infamy OF which this
woman might be capable, Norah has
tily promised.
You had best go to him now," said
Mrs. Lorrimer, and turned and left
her abruptly
Toward noon the glass began to rise
rapidly then more gradually. indicat-
ing that the vortex of the storm had
been passed. The violence of the wind
abated; though heavy sea still ran.
the ship seemed to ride upon a more
even keel. The sick man showed a
change for the better in a lowered
temperature. BY evening he came
out of his StupOr, COloring with pleas |
ure. when he opened his eyes, to find |
the girl with him-a pleasure which |
he was too weak to conceal.
'Gracias a Dios. senorita." he mur- |
INJURED; you seem to have a steady |
job nursing me-"
You must not talk much" she |
warned him; nor would she allow him |
sIeeCh until he had taken the food |
prescribed by Mrs. Lorrimer Indeed. |
] am glad to be able TOTO repay your |
kindness. Daniel"
"Thank you" He Eloated chI!dishly |
over her use of his name. Il am very |
"Why. senor?"
ITO be a trouble to you" He paid |
no attention to her protest. And |
am particularly sorry that I'm the |
worst shot that ever came Owe: the |
pike. Otherwise I'd have killed that |
Sc oundrel Tompkins!'
"Hush!'
"Iour pardon. but won't. How did |
the scrap turn out?''
Scrap" she wondered.
He interpreted She related briefly |
the outcome OF the affair.
Poor Iim!" he said: and moment |
later: poor captain"
Now you really must be quiet. |
senior. And do not move; the wound
might open"
want to know"
She laid a gentle finger upon his
lips. This being greater bliss than
he had bargained for he subsided;
ere long he slept.
BY nightfal the Jupiter Light was
raised. and presently the Miranda J.
swung her nose south by west. into
the channel of the Straits of Florida
With Tompkins on the bridge again
he had managed to snatch a few
hours sleep in the afternoon-she
sneaked swiftly down the coast, and
then. with full speed ahead, dsrted
like wild, frightened thing straight
out into the blue waters of the Gulf
DaVbreak saw her ont of Sipbt of |