The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-06-21
CHAPTER xXVl.

II was nlgnL WNeu hOuthC aNohoi
he found himself staring ~wide-eyed at
the ceiling Of the stateroom. upon
which -ippled wavering lines OF light
reflected through the portfolio by the
waters without. His mind for the
time was a 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, II poorly, by a smoky
kerosene lamp dependent from a beam
above the comfortable, aud wore a hol'
low, dingy air of desolation for all
that Danny slept there, his vivid head
ptllowed on arms crossed before him
on the table. The ship was utterly ST.
lent, and the O'Rourke's sensitive in
stinct told him that il was tenanted
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
a cry and, Selling O'Rourke's hand, be
gan to sob upon it-a touching but
d~isconcerting performance, to the last
degree exasperating to a 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 ava and returned with nm excel.
lent cold meal-sandwiches, Il 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 on
one side and something Of his old hui
NOR twinkling in his eye, what time
1t was not clouded with b]ewilderment
and concern at the answers he re-
ceived, c~ross.examined his valet.
How long" was his first question,
will ! have slept now, Danny ye
divvIe?"
Wan complete round ay the clock,
yer honor"
Where are we?'
at anchor, scr, off the Fort In Bonn
bay harbor,"
"Umm-hm. I'm by way Of remem
bering something of that. What of
the captain?"
"Raymoyed, yer honor, to a horse
pittle ashore, sor, to con-valesce. At
Taste, I'm thinking thot's the word
the doctor used, sor."
O'Rourke 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 nonor:"-
Whats the matter, Danuy?'
sure, sor, and akin yer pardon for
spakin' so, and MANN no manner Of
~disrayspict whatsoever"
What the divyle, Danny"
Danny drew himself up with an air,
bristling indignation, Sure. anc It's
meself never seen the loike ay 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 av ut will
| widdror, not If yer honor discharges
me wild me usual months notice, sor,
this minute. Faix, didn't | zee? 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' a boat and intendin' to go
!, ashore, widout so much as a fare-ye'
well. and me meanin' the most hon.
orable intintions in the world toward
the maid
Have your intentions ever been
| aught else toward any woman ye ever
won q smile from, spalpeen?"
Jaw, now, yer honor
, CTo BE CoNTINUED)