Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-17
fcontiuuation OF Chapter XVI

(contiuuation OF Chapter XVI
Mr.. Crittenden. Cynthia interposed
I'm haste, lis nothing to mel mean. no
more than another acquaintance"
But she had perforce to hang her head
a little and look away. ashamed TO meet
the gaze Of madame with the no on her
lips.
Madame savaran permitted her an in
slant Of rest. Then, with -gentle
chuckle: oh said she. II that's all
what do YOU mean" demanded Gym
thia holly. stung BY the implication.
tut. child. How you do take one
mn ~ mean. 1 don't intend further 10
fret myself about YOUR silly love afrairs,
dear"
I'm not-r' Cynthia began. crimson.
Don't tell me! It's precept OF my
experience. dear-expertenee painfully
harvested from life itself-that the time
when two young people decide they are
nothinr whatever to one another, merely
antedates by an hour or so the time
vhen they're willing to admit they re
All in All TO each other and wouldn't for
worlds be otherwise! !. And Mn Crit
tenden." she pursued, is fortunate be-
youd his deserts. Sidonie says
'Sidonie.''
who elseT" demanded the old lady
tartly. DO you think I'm going 10 give
her a holiday by way OF reward Tor mis-
behavior She tattles-yes; she always
tattles. L ought to Be accustomed 10
that. you'd think. And as for stealing
well, il isn't proven yet. and If cast
her OF / may never be able TO fasten
ANYTHING on her. There's method in my
madness. It gets my hair attended to.
at least. So. naturally, when /
woke Up this morning. 1 rang for the
creature and she came and we had a
fine set-to. OF course she denies every
thing. and OF course I won't believe her
under oath; but you may believe 1 shall
work her till her fingers callous. And
keep my eye on her, besides"
Madame Savaran tossed her handsome
old head and paved the deck with her
cane. muttering indistinct but unques-
tionably malignant somethings-presum-
ably because she didn't consider her
state OF mind regarding Sidonie ut for
utterance in the hearing Of Cynthia
But" pursued Cynthia. pertinacious
to the main issue. -Sidonie said Mr..
Crittenden-Z"
-Oh. so we are interested in the fate
Of the gentleman who's nothing TO US.
eh7 Sidonie said simply this: that the
Crimson Rambler
who? OH" calculated Cynthia in
A. Precisely. my dear: I have found the
name for him now The Grim
son Rambler. Perez. and LObb went
ashore half an hour ago to interview
this person in whom we have positive
" no interest whatever. I dare say II
YOU hurry down to breakfast you'll be
on deck by the time they bring him back
with gives upoA his leg. and cast him
into the lazarette, or whatever they call
the dungeon vile on shipbOard; where
you'll be able TO visit him by stealth,
disguised as the warder's daughter, ana
minister to his wants, and finally bride
the caitiff hireling who guards him TO
couufve at his escape. and ride away
with him on a miIk-white pslfrey-or,
dare say, a motor boat would seem more
sensible"
With this. and a final lift of her chin.
Madame Savaran concluded her
harangue. seized Cynthia by both arms
and drew her close. presented her with
two quick. warm pecks. one on either
cheek. gave her an affectiOnate shake
and released her. accomplishing her exit
into the adjoining stateroom with sur
prising celebrity and a final admonish-
ment as to the need for haste to break
fast
AS moved and diverted as madame
Jad intended her to be (who had enter
ed in suspicion and retired, she believed,
IN fun possession Of Cynthia's secret)
the girl waited an instant, long enough
10 reassort and gain control OF her har-
raised faculties, then pulled herself to-
gether and left her room a widely diff
ferent woman from her who mad but
lately been as a Tyre high-strung.
Aeolian TO the breath OF passion: a
woman at least outwardly calm. col
F-a~ =
lions So much for the stimulating
properties OF Madam Sararan's mental
cocktail
There was fresh color in her face,
and 20 spare. and a brave light in her
clear eyes. when. with an air Of alert
and vigorous dignity. Cynthia swung out
OF the alleyway and through the door to
the deck. steeling herself against what
ever reception she was to undergo. on
this her first public appearance since the
events OF the night just passed. What
she would be called upon to endure and
ignore IN the way OF covert sneed and
secret smile and overt fnnuendo. she
dared not surmise: only the day would
declare It But whatever might trans
pire. she was determined to suffer with
a face OF courage. unfinching. She owed
as much TO Crittenden no less than
To, herself; he had risked his life in
vain endeavor to seal the lips OF Claret
and bring help TO her and Madame Saw
aran from the outer world. She must
prove herself worthy OF his self-sacrifice
and devotion
Notwithstanding this spirit OF chal-
lenge and contempt with which she
made her appearance in the light Of
day, IL was with relief that she dis
covered promenade deck and bridge alike
deserted, the work Of the hour absorb
Ing completely the energies and atten-
ton OF every man on board both vessels
Forward and abaft the superstructures
OF both Cynthia and the Orion. the decks
presented scenes OF stirring and unrest
Ing action Between the bulwarks and
the dark. yawning. cavernous hatch
ways. men swarmed like ants men cloth
ed only within the limits OF decency,
sweating. struggling. swearing. running
10 and fro as II blindly TO the behest