Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-27

~ CLOCK until the day clOSeu d CHSldht
stream of humanity filed past the cata-
falque
Side by side with poorly clad women
who had come for a last sight of the
religious leader who had brought some
sunshine into their lives were fashion
ably dressed women who desired to pay
| their homage.
shoulders signifying his willingness to
concede the point. Then Madame Sava-
ran revived the moot question.
Presumably you can't suggest any
thing sane, George Rhode?"
NO not from your point of view" The
man stood up and moved hstlessly to-
ward the door. There amt nothin' to
do but wait for the fuss to commence.
1 don't think anythin' will happen UNI
til tomorrow, or tomorrow night, likely;
but there amt any good ta}Iin' chances.
I'm goin to move into the stateroom
forward, and Crittenden can have the
next aft, and between us Wen stand
watch and watch Not" he concluded
with a dismal candor, that we got any
show on earth if it comes to an open
break. We're as good as beat already.
Only, We'll do what we can"
With a discouraged nod and gesture
he indicated his good-nights and brush
ed past Crittenden into the alleyway.
''C'm' on, Crittenden," he growled in
passing.
But Crittenden delayed another mo-
ment. He looked from Cynthia, a tri-
file pale but frightened, to Madame Sava-
ran, disturbed but not in the least awed
by the gravity of their plight, then back
to the girl again, drawing hope and a
hating sense OF pride from the look of
her eyes. in which he read confidence.
OF that faith he must prove worthy. He
dared not fail her
He drew somewhat heavily upon his
stock of ingenuity and plausibility.
II wouldn't worry much, if I were
you" said he glibly. This is the first
I've heard of this. I fancy Rhode over
draws the situation somewhat Anyhow,
with this shift of quarters, you'll be safe
enough. Even granting Rhodes fears
justified to the letter, you're not likely
to meet i'll treatment until these chaps
have exhausted every means of persua-
sion and deception at their command.
You see, neither you nor the jewels can
get away. In the meantime" he
continued hastily realizing that this
course of argument was hardly calculat-
ed greatly to ease the minds of the wom-
en-, 1--WE can't fail to scheme a way out
of the trouble; and-if I may-Pd sug-
gest that Madame Savaran try to pack
compass, for convenience in hiding or
carrying away. And" he concluded
vaguely, don't worry.
He, was conscious OF the penetrating
stare of Madame Savaran's shrewd old
eyes. You've a head on your should
ers,'' said that lady, with an air OF
some slight surprise at the discovery
that Crittenden wore his head so con-
ventionally And rye half a mind to
take your advice. But q. is all this
solicitude on my behalf?"
Momentarily She raked two burning
faces with an amused look of seasoned
wisdom. Then with a prim manner:
"As emergency chaperon of Miss
Grayce," said she, "I thank you for
your kind offices on behalf of both of
us. And now if you'll be good enough
to go away, Wen try to compose our
selves and get little rest"
Incontinently Crittenden departed.
Rhode he found waiting alone in the
meagre saloon abaft the head of the
main companion-way, whose gloom, like
that of it's tenant, was only emphasized
by the dim and inadequate illumination
furnished by three or four eight-can-
dle-power bulbs.
There was, in fact. deepened shade
of discomfort and disgust on the Red
Mans face and in his bearing His
head hung low between his shoulders,
his brow was knotted a cold cigar
dropped from his mouth at a detected
angle: his manner breathed a vast dis
consolation. He greeted Crittenden with
q dispirited nod and negligent fiirt of
one red paw, at the same time sinking
with leaden air upon one of the cush-
toned wall seats
"All women" he iterated, ARE crazy!
The more you see of 'em the harder you
know it. You'd think that old vixen'd
know enough to gimme show to take
care of that truck. wouldn't you? But
no; she's just got to be responsible
herself-until she finds out she's been
touched. Ano then me for a regular pam
nin
1T certainly looks pretty bad" Crit
tenden agreed in a guarded voice with
glances askance to the two main en-
frances from the decks, port and star
board, and the dark mouths of the state
room alleyways opening into the sa-
loon.
But apparently all the other members
of the ships company had gone to bed
or were lingering in the smolIlng-room.
There was no discerniblc mint of any
sort Of surveillance or of interest in
their actions And of sounds there was
none aside from the grooming of the
aged vessel as she lunged up a long
stln, deep-Sea swell, the rack and rum
BILE of her engines, the swish and hol-
low clash of waters riven by her bows
and repealed by her TANKS.
Rhode shook his shoulders "Bad?'
he grunted. Its rotten Honest Il
don't smell right. I guest it's only
what was comm to me for trustin'
a ginny like Perez. But / was
all the time countin' on his .playin'
square just out of policy. In an act
like this it's united we get away with
II, divided We get the hook But this
Perez wants all the centre of the stage
for himself. He's got it all doped out
to slip me the wrong cue and spoil my
exit. And the hell Of it is, it's too
late to call an extra rehearsal. The
curtains up and we simply dassent keep
the stage waitin. "
Meaning you've gone too far to draw
back"
You get me. Now this Acklin
says he heard Perez and Lobb talzin'
about sneakin the stuff off of Madum
and. if I raise my voice, handlin' me
mine now. That means they've had
this double cross ready to slip me ali
along; this is only the beginnin of
the finish . . Believe me, we're in
wrong seven ways from the deuce"
He rocked heavily, to and fro, grumb-
ling inarticulately for a moment.
Well" he said at length, rising, 1--WE
better be doin what we caan. This
shift of rooms II only show EN- we're