The Delta independent., 1912-03-15

eyelng MIN uenperately, that. since
l had 10 be aided. 1t came through one
of whom.I have heard so much"
Faith, Mrs. Prynne-!"
"And l thank you a second time,
very heartily" She offered him her
hand, and smiled bewitchingly.
"'Tis embarrassing me we are" he
protested. Faith, to be thanked
twice for SO slight a service! l can
only wish that l might do more
1T is possible" she said, apparent
ly not in the least displeased by his
presumption ut is possible that l
may take you at your word. Colonel
O'Rourke."
fancied that he recognized an amused
flicker. with. perhaps, trace OF deep
er emotion: the kindling interest OF a
woman in a strong man, with whose
signals he was not unfamiliar. Pride
and his conceit stirred in his breast.
"'Twould be the delight of me life"
he told her in an ecstasy.
Don't be too sure, l warn you,
colonel" Her manner was now arch,
her smile entirely charming. 1T might
be no light service should require OF
you"
"Ye couldn't ask one too heavy.
But tbs weary we are, Mrs-
Prynne?" he inquired. solicitous.
Very" There was in fact an in
definite meditation of WEAKNESS in
her voice. I'm only woman" she
said family. with little gesture OF
depreciation; land my ways are hedged
about with grave perils-"
TITS the O'Rourke would gladly
brave them all for ye. madam" he de-
clared CALAMITY. Command me
what we will
She lifted her gaze to his. coloring
divinely there in the moon-glamor. He
looked into her curiously bewitching
eyes and saw there an appeal and a
strange little tender smile. Her head
was so near his shoulder that he was
aware of the vague. alluring perfume
OF her hair. Her scarlet lips parted
And he became suddenly aware
that 1t behooved him to hold himself
well in hand. II were an easy mat
ter to imagine himself swept of his
feet. into a whirl OF infatuation. with
n little encouragement. And he was
not unsophisticated enough TO fail to
see that encouragement would not be
lacking II he chose to recognize It.
Faith" he told himself, I'm think
ing 'twould be wiser for me TO take
to me heels and run before
He was spared the ignominious ne
cessity of flight. In two breaths they
showed two very different pictures.
Now they stood alone on the dead
white deck alone with the night. the
sea. the stars. the silence and the
moonlight: O'Rourke a bit dismayed
and wary. but as curious as any man
In such case; the woman apparent
ly yielding to n sudden fascination for
him. swaying a little toward him AZ
II inviting the refuge OF his arms.
And now she started away.
clutching at her heart, with n little
choking cry of alarm: while beneath
them the vessel was still quivering
with harsh yet deadened detonation
like an explosion. together with
grinding crash and shrek OF riven
steel somewhere deep in the hold.
lnexpressibly dismayed. they stared
with wide and questioning eyes 1T one
another through long minute filled
with an indescribable uproar: success
sion OF shocks and thumps in the In
terror OF the vessel gradually dimin-
ishing in severity while. in pande-
monium OF clamorous voices. the liner.
like stricken thing. hesitated in Ito
southwark surge, then slowly limped
into a dead halt on the face OF the