The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-05-24
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTEH N)SNl.
II was night when O'Rourke awoke
he found himself staring wide-eyed a
the ceiling Of the stateroom, upoI
which -ippled wagering lines Of ligh
reflected through the portfolio by th'
waters without. His mind for th'
time was a blank; he was merely con
sclous that he was rested and very
thirsty. and that the ship was mo
| tlonless.
Then in a binding flash memory
returned to him. He rose, curiously
light-headed and strangely weak
pushed open the door and stepped in
to the saloon.
It was lighted, II poorly, by a smoky
kerosene lamp dependent from beam
above the comfortable, and wore a hol
low, dingy air Of desolation for all
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'Rourkes sensitive In
stinct told him that 1t 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
cry and, seizing ORourke's hand, be
gan TO sob upon it--a touching but
disconcerting 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 away and returned with an excel
lent cold meal-sandwiches, a salad
cheese, and other e6ibles upon a tray
graced likewise by a bottle of cham
pagne And you are to believe thai
the master fell to and wolfed it 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 hu
NOR twinkling in his eye, what time
IL 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 ys
divvle?"
WAN complete round aV the clock
yer honor"
Where are we?"
AT anchor, sor, off the Fort in BON.
bay harbOr."
"Umm-hm. I'm by way of remem-
bering something of that. What OF
the captain?"
'Raymoved, yer honor, to 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?"
"Aw, yer honor!"
What's the matter, Danny?"
Sure, sor, and akin yer pardon for
spakin' so, and manin' no manner Of
Whatsoever"
What the divvle, Danny!"
Danny drew himself up with an air,
bristling indignation. Sure, and tits
meself never seen the loike av thin
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 l 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' 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 smile from, spalpeen?"
Jaw, now, yer honor"
CTO BE CONTINUED.)