Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-30

Il
where at the foot Of the companion
way Claret was rising from Rhode
back. while the others clustered roun'
the motionless man like flies round |
Dish OF sweetmeats-she recollected hel
wits and stepped back.
May 1 suggest this is hardly scen'
for your eyes, senorita?" Perez's tom
was oleaginous but his intent clear
Your stateroom, perhaps.
She gave him look for look, striving Il
cut the unctuous quality in his mannel
by a display Of downright contempt
but without effect. II anything his slow
smile became more familiar.
why" she said, her voice hard
why did you do that?"
He acted a phase of bewildermen'
ending IN understanding OF her meaning
with a gesture comprehending the group
below. why have 1 done that? 1 pes
your pardon; I had nothing to do WITH
1t You yourself must have seen tna'
didn't lift finger.
Yes" she agreed. with a scornIu
mouth; IT saw that"
Perez shrugged. And you hold me
responsible, senorita? Is 1t my part &c
Interfere with Senior Rhodes quarrels!
you inspired this outrage" the girl
insisted, her voice trembling with anger
in spite Of her efforts TO control 1t
you know that, and know It. IL was
as despicable as you are cowardly'
ssBut =" Again the shrug
with. this time, a slight filming Of his
eyes, as though by this means the Bra
lillian sought 10 conceal his resentment
But i assure you"
He was interrupted by voice from
below-Clarets. lifted impatiently;
say, Perez, what'll we do with this pig
He's down and out. Damn IT,
what's become Of YOU?
But the self-possession of the scoun-
drel was proof even against this cir
cumstance. A third time his shoulders
and his eloquent hands deprecated the
look that Cynthia had for him.
II See" he said with a gentle laugh
Il must not hold IL against you, this
cruel suspicion you have as to my hon
est motives. Another shares your de-
fusion"
.sYou are insunerable." Cynthia inter
rupted coldly. She showed him her back,
returning to her stateroOm and madame
thus complying with his wishes without
realizing II
She was in a ferment of indignation
when she opened the door and closed II
behind her, but only her sense of right
and justice had been outraged by the
sight OF a single man (even though he
was one she disliked and distrusted) be-
set and overcome by numbers and
treachery. OF the assault on Critenden
she knew nothing. 1t was primarily so
lfcftude on his account that had
brought her hurriedly forth from the
security of her cabin, at the frst sound
Of confict; but that anxiety laid by the
fact OF his absence, she had given her
interest fortnight TO the unequal strug-
gle engaging the Red Man. and thought
no more of the other save in a dull way
OF wonderment, that he had disappeared
so suddenly.
And there had been but little light in
the after part Of the main saloon, which
every night, dinner over, was thrifuly
reduced to an allowance Of two bulbs
placed forward. near the foot of the COM
panion way. These served hardly more
to reveal the proportions of the place
and its furnishings, enabling its gloom
to be navigated without disaster to the
human shin. So Crittenden, from the
time Of his entrance through the door
aft to the moment he fell beneath Lobb's
fist-a period spanned by few seconds
hae remained in shadow, inconspicuous
to the girl at the head of the well, on
the upper deck.
= II was not, indeed, until she had, with
flushed cheeks and firelit eyes, bluSted
out her account to Madame iSavaran'
that she was reminded of Crittenden by
a gnawing sense of omission as much
as by the comments of that shrewd
lady.
To do madame no injustice. she failed
20. show much dismay because Of the
happening, at least, outwardly. to an
extent suficient to feed fuel to the flame
OF Cynthia's excitement. The old lady
possessed a strong sense of her own COM
petent caliber and preparedness, to sus-
tain her in most emergencies.
Quite So she calmly Endorsed Gym
thia's burning structures: but. after all,
1t was no more than We expected-only
quicker Even Rhode looked for some
thing OF the sort. I'm sorry they caught
him or guard; but then, my dear, we
mustn't forget he deserves a deal of pun
ishment. -.
Don't think me heartless. Cynthia. 4"
said she: TIN not at all so. But ] just
can't help being philosophical about
George Rhodes misadventures. He
hadn't any business dragging US into
this mess. and he was a born fool to
20 into il himself without some assur-
ance that he'd got and could hold
the upper hand. I'd be ashamed to
lxnuckle under TO low rufians like Lobb
and that Shiny sneak, Perez. Besides, be
sure. he's not much hurt. You can't hurt
that man; his head is solid ivory"
"But. madame" Cynthia demonstrated,
you forget what this means to you"
Madame Savaran shook her wig away
In emphatic negation. mot in the
least. I'm fully alive. But since it
had TO come. is IL any worse coming
tonight than tomorrow? There's some
consolation, TO my mind, in knowing
where one stands. The only thing I
regret is that il wasn't that devil ST.
DOME instead Of George. a.. And by
the way. what about your young MANI"
II Cynthia contemplated a denial that
Crittenden was 90 be classified as her
property. she had no opportunity to reg
lister IL. On the heels OF Madame's in
auiry there fell a knock on the door,
a double knock OF a guarded accent but
at the same time sharply arresting.
Weir" demanded the elder lady, lift
ing her voice. What do you want7"
III you please. NAM" came voice.
sHbdned hut eager. ITS 1.-the steward.
Acklin, main"
what do you want?"
It's Mr.. Crittenden. nam. e s
'urt. e got. a bit knocked up and /
think needs a bit OF caring-for"
BY this time Cynthia. either uncon-
scious of or ignoring Madame's gesture
OF caution. had the bolts drawn and
the door open. revealing the stunted fig
ure OF the little Englishman.
Where IS he?" she asked in a breath.
They We took i'm into one OF the
for'ard styterooms. e 5 unconscious