Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-10
Cynthio-of- the-Minute
Copyright 1871 BIZ LOui, Joseph Vdpce e.e

his quarters as cohceivably as the firSt
ofiicer OF the Cynthia.
Tile slender, swaying shape Of white
cropping its way .tfrOugh the tenebrious
chscurity or the passages, led him like
a lodestar. He traled il with caution
at distance, lest Gynthia become aware
Of the attention Though determined to
see that she regaited her stateroom I'M
naoiested. he was no less resolved that
she should never again. by any act or
word OF his, be reminded OF his interest
or evRn--if he. could find a way to efface
himself--of his existence. The wrong
that he had done her rankled like cor
ruptiou In his thoughts. blighting every
normal Instinct. not even second in his
estimation to the foul injury conceived
in the yiciousness OF clarets imagina'
tion.
From the very beginning. Crittenden
told himself. he had played the cur IN
all his association with her. He loathed
himself for the readiness with which he
had made place for her image in his
heart. for the -fondness with which he
had In secret iwelt upon the thought Of
her. for the love of her that he had appre-
hended without a culver OF resistance
telling himself what he knew in his
heart TO be false. that she should never
dream OF II: for the eagerness which
had marked his anticlpations Of their
meetings and the sweetness he had tast-
ed OF her naive acceptance Of him in
the guise OF friend and. confidant.
Through these things alone. which he
could have averted and rendered as roth
ing by the least show of indifference (he
fancied), had love grown up between
them. And even within the hour
he had prove himself the egotist be-
yopd. pardon or redemption, through the
weakness with which he had yielded to
the temptation to justify himself in her
eyes BY the declaration OF his love- True.
he had spoken simple truthful a lie. a
denial, a hrutally contemptuous attitude
would have quenched her passion in its
inception; whereas, his course had been
calculated solely to feed fuel 10 its flame,
Though through some such false cruelty
on his part, she had learned to despise
the thought of him. and would so all her
days. still would he have earned the right
to hold his head up with the highest
among men. have proven himself more
kind and true to her by playing traitor
Ia their love.
Before him. in the alIeyway, the shad-
owy shape of white faltered. He too
paused. He heard her try the knob of
her stateroom door. then her uncertain
knock. and an instant later the mar
uculate. mellow tones Of Madame sa-
varan's voice.
Cynthia said in breath: ut is L,
Cynthia Please-",.+
There was a sound OF something
heavy being dragged away from the
door. followed by a rattle Of welding
wards and bolts. An oblong of light
fell across the alleywax, showing Gym
thia like a ghost madame figure for
laughter mature charms too candidly
displayed in the too-youthful revelation
of her nightdress. wig and cap disposed
at conflicting but mutually impossible
angles. Then. again the passage was
darkened Crittenden stole softly aft
The upper saloon resembled what was
visible TO him Of the lower in its empti-
ness. He swung lightly down the COM
panionway, rage like a FIRE burning in
his bosom. and surprised Acklin in the
business Of clearing away a litter Of
bottles and glasses at the end of one Of
the tables. itf
The little Londoner showed 4 face OF
care and anxiety. when he looked mp at
the sound Of Footsteps. Seeing Critten-
den. he put aside his tray and came to
meet him midway in the saloon. with a
ringer to his lips admonishing caution.
Miss Bryce, sir?' he asked quickly.
N1AtE ~ g 1NS W c~AAt
Yes Crittenden answered. paustng.
Thanks to you. Where's Claret?s he
pursued without a break yEEf Ht-fs
Acklin threw quick glance at the
clock on the after transverse. sArdly
six bells. sir" he commented. "HeH be
on the bridge. still scT
S. ~AH right said Crittenden brusquely.
He swung on his heel TO go back up
the companion. at the same time feel
ing in his pocket for Madame Savaran's
Beg pardon. sir so,i-
''Later-f-TIl talk to you later."ff ~
NO. sir. now-if you'll pardon" In
sisted the steward. darling forward and
catching his sleeve as Crittenden put
foot on the lowest step. "Just word
Of advice-you must ear me. sir. You're
thinkin' of shuttin' Is mouth. / tyke it,"
Il am" said Crittenden grimIy HAS
he been talking. do you know"
Il think not, sir. 'E's been too busy
ever since; 'e's navigatfn' officer and
pilot I'm one. as you might say. That's
what I wanted 10 tell you, sir. Els the
only man that knows these waters well
enough to tyke the ship syfely through
:.