The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-01-18

voyage. while the ship was plodding
steadily southwark with that dfteen
point Inclination 10 the west that
soon after daybreak, Philip remem-
hs-sd Mr. veritv's niece and felt sorry
that when she paiA former vssits 10
the Andromeda fate had decreed that
he should be serving his time on an.
other vessel. II gave him thrill
when he heard that this charming girl
knew his name. and II seemed TO him
for an instant that she was looking
INTO bis very soul, anaiyzing him.
searching for some sign that he was
not as others. which meant that there
were some whom she had bitter cause
TO distrrist.
At any rate. she had left a memento
OF her too brief appearance on board
IN the shape OF the bag. He would
I contrfse to take on his own shoulders
fts mission In Montevideo. Then on
returning to Liverpool he would have
an excuse for calling on her. He did
no' know her name yet. Possibly
Ca, A,u Coke would mention that In
te-est'ng fact when his temper lost
It's raw edge.
It wes strange that he should be
thinking OF Iris. far stranger than he
could guess. but his thoughts were
subconscious. and he was I'm nowlse
negiecting the safety OF the ship.
Hozier heard Coke reading the riJt
act TO the shellbacks who were sup
posed To keep n sharp lookout ahead.
But the captain did not monopolize the
conversation. His deep notes rumh.ed
only at Intervals. The men had some
thing to say. He returned to the
bridge.
"0ne OF them scallywags see e 'as
seen a ghost" ne announced with the
calm air Of man who states that the
moon viii rise during the next hour.
"Oh. Is be the nan who reported a
ghost outside the lazarette last night 90
IL s'pose so. Did e tell you about
hf That's where she walks"
"Sher'
That's his yarn-a female ghost. a
black 'un. black cio'es anyhow. I'll
take the forenoon watch. an you
might overhaul the ship for stow
aways after breakfast"
"Yes. SIR" said Hozier. And that In
how IL fell TO bis lot to discover Iris
Yorke. looking very white and mlsera.
bic. when the hatch OF the lazarette
was broken open at half past 8 on
Thursday morning!
"A tramp steamer Is not a complex
organism. She Is made up Of holds.
bunkers. boilers and engines. with
scanty for officers and
crew grouped round the funnel or
stuck In the bows. When the boats
were stripped OF their tarpaulins and
. few lockers and storerooms exam
fned the only available hiding places
were the shaft tunGel. the holds snd
the lazarette. n small space between
decks. situated directly above the pro-
peller. where a reserve supply of pro-
visions Is generally carried.
But the door OF the iazarette was
locked and the key missing. There
was nothing for IL but to force the
lock.
lt was dark In there. and Hozier
was undeniably startled by the spec
tacle OF slim figure. wrapped In a
long ulster. standing among the cases
and PACKAGES.
Now. out you conner he cried. win
q gruffness that was intended only to
cover his own amazement. but Iris.
despite the horrors or seasickness aud
confinement Ira the dark was not mind
al To suffer what she considered to be
fmpertine1ce on the part OF second
officer
IL am Miss Yorke." she said. coming
forward into the half light OF the low
- deck. ANY explanation of my
presence here will be given to the cap
tain and to no other person"
That Innocent word person" Is capa-
Die OF many meanings Hozier .elt
that its application TO himself was dis
finctly unfavorable. Aud Iris was
quite dignihed and self possessed. She
had given few deft touches to her
hair.
-Of course I did not know TO whom
I was speaking" he managed TO say.
for he now recognized the ghost" and
wns more surprised than he had ever
been I'm his life before.
THAT Is matterless." said Iris frigid.
~. "where Is Captain CokeT
-On the bridge" said Philip.
II will 20 To- him. Please don't come
with me. tried TO tell you that 1
would unlock the door. but you refused
Co listen. VIII you let me passY''
He obeyed In silence.
Iris hurried 10 the deck. The light
seemed TO dazzle her. and her steps
were so uncertain that Hozier sprang
forward aud caught her arm.
Wont you sit down a moment. Miss
Yorker" he said. IF you searched the
whole ship you could not have chosen
q worse place To travel I'm than the
lozarette."
II was driven out twice at night by
kAs sofa % s.ha