The Delta independent., 1912-04-05
CHAPTER XVI.

III was night when ORourke awoke /;
he found himself staring wide-eyed at
the ceiling of the stateroom, upon
which rippled wavering lines of light
reflected through the portfolio by the
waters without. His mind for the
time was blank; he was merely con
scious that he was rested and very
thirsty, and that the ship was mo
tionless.
Then in a binding fash memory
returned to him. He rose. curiously
light-headed and strangely weak
pushed open the door and stepped in
to the saloon.
1t was lighted, IL poorly, by smoky
kerosene lamp dependent from a beam
above the comfortable, and wore hol
low, dingy air of desolation for al.
that Danny slept there, his vivid head
pillowed on arms crossed before him
on the table. The ship was utterly 81
lent, and the O'Rourke's sensitive in
stnct told him that 1t was tenanteo
only by himself and the servant.
He clapped a hand on Danny's
shoulder and shook him into wakeful
ness. The boy leapt to his feet with
u ~ anu otiSihS " Dt
gan to sob upon it-a touching but
disconcerting performance. to the last
degree exasperating to man thirst
ing and famished.
O'Rourke. as gently as he could, dis
engaged his hand and thrust Danny
away. at the same time indicating In
no uncertain tones that he preferred
meat and drink TO emotional crisis
Provided with a duty. Danny's senti
mental nature was diverted; he bust
led away and returned with an excel
lent cold meal-sandwiches, salad
cheese, and other edibles upon a tray
graced likewise by a bottle of cham
payne. And you are to believe that
the master fell to and wolfed 1t all
to the last crumb and the last drop
A new man. refreshed, he demanded
a pipe. and, with his head cooked Oh
one side and something of his old hu
NOR twinkling In his eye, what time
1t was not clouded with bewilderment
and concern at the answers he re
ceived. cross-examined his valet.
How long" was his first question,
will l have slept now, Danny ye
divvle?"
Wan complete round av the clock
yer honor"
Where are WEI"
AT anchor. sor, OF the Fort In Bonn.
bay harbor."
"Umm-hm. I'm by way OF remem.
bering something Of that. What OF
the captain"
"Raymoved, yer honor, to n horse
pittle ashore, sor, to con-valesce. At
Taste, I'm thinking thot's the word
the doctor used. sor.'
ORourke pulled at his cigar, re-
garded regretfully the empty glass be-
fore him, and with some visible reluct-
ance put the question that. more than
aught else, he had wished to put ever
since he had eaten.
And Mrs. Prynne?"
Jaw, yer honor!"
whats the matter, Danny"
Sure. sor, and akin yer pardon fol
spakin' so, and manin' no manner Of
disrayspict Whatsoever"
What the divvle, Danny"
Danny drew himself up with an air.
bristling Indignation. Sure, and 'tis
meself never seen the loike av thin
wimmin for rank ingratichude. sor.
And afther all thot meself had said
to thot black-eyed Frinch vixen"
Danny"
mo. sor, not wan word nv ut will
/ widdror, not If yer honor discharges
me wild me usual months notice. sor,
this minute. FAX, didn't ! see? No
more and the anchor was down, sor.
and yersilf did to the world in yer
berth. sor, thin thin two does be after
hailin' boat and intendin to go
ashore, widout so much as a fare-ye-
well, and me meann' the most hon.
orable intinuons in the world toward
the maid"
Have your intentions ever been
aught else toward any woman ye ever
won a smile from, spalpeen?"
Jaw, now, yer honor"
Get on with your story. What