Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-27
Cynthia-ot -the-Minute
Copyright 1911 By Louis Joseph Vance


gently browsed through six volumes OF
modern French literature. cOmplacently
declared them one and all disgusting
and threw them overheard lest they faII
into Cynthia's hands: bickered with and
badgered Rhode until that unhappy per-
son glowed incandescent with the fury
he lacked vocabulary to express; hee-
tored and bullyragged Sidonie until the
wonder was, not that the maid remained
in madame's service. but that she did
not do her a mortal injury in her sleep;
made a great deal too much Of Cynthia;
added TO her memoirs" to the tune OF
sly chuckles OF secret enjoyment; caused
Crittenden TO be presented TO her and
amiably put him through a severe ex-
animation as 10 his history, lineage,
health, material welfare and religious
convictions; and ingeniOusly invented a
number OF annoying occupations to NIL
in moments when spare time hung
heavy upon her hands
Cynthia. with the freedom OF the ship
at her disposal. informed herself gen.
orally as 10 its construction and me-
chanics, in the process thereof becom-
ing interested in the wireless station
presided over by the close-mouthed
young Mr. Thurlow. who was believed
by Crittenden TO possess rather more OF
the clew TO the mystery Of their expe-
dition than anybody else save Rhode
and Perez He was. however, exasper-
atingly praiseworthy for his reticence
on that subject. IL almost too willing to
talk on all others imaginable.
In this connection IL was remarked
that the operator neglected his station
altogether the first day out; spent some
little time tuning up on the second,
and on the third stuck close to the lit
tie house on the main deck. forward,
where the paraphernalia was installed,
making the hours noisy with the snap
ping and laundering Of the spark.
From this Crittenden inferred the near
approach OF a climax
The weather held fine, hot and sensi-
bly, more hot as the Cynthia shouldered
on into the south. A moderate south
westerly breeze freshened slightly the
third day out. but not enough TO raise
an uncomfortable sea, and during the
third night died down completely. leav-
ing the waters oily calm on the morn
ing OF the fourth day.
shortly after noon OF Saturday,
August the 18th. Crittenden pointed out
20 Cynthia a low-lying island far to
port. seeming a mere strip OF sand
shining In the sun glare like a reef OF
gold in a sea OF ultramarine velvet. He
designated IL Watling's Island, other
ing place OF Columbus
Late in the evening. similarly fea-
gureless and even more indfstinct. For
tune Island was passed. likewise to
tort. the Cynthia standing through
Crooked Passage. Long Island on the
starboard invisible in the subtropical
gleapsing.
Because Of the heat. which with the
lack OF any wind 10 move the stag
nant air within the superstructure,
made the Trough of trying to sleep in
a cabin all cut insupportable. Cynthia
remained on deck that night something
later than usual. Madame Savaran re-
luctantly leaving her about half after
ten
The night was still and bright, the
sea like a polished plate Of ebony mir
roring the unutterable magnihcence Of
the overarching, sear-embOssed vault
Aside from the intermittent noise Of
footsteps on the bridge, the half-hourly
tolling OF the ships bell. and the
unending resonant rumble of the en-
gines, the steamer was very quiet. only
at long intervals would its peace be
shattered by the singing whiplash
crack and subsequent sputter of the
wireless apparatus.
Following a particulars. prolonged
and vehement outbreak Of that racket.
Crittenden appeared from the rear OF
the promenade deck. in conversation
with some one Cynthia failed to iden-
tify because OF the darkness Appar-
emily they were coming from the smok-
ing room, where the adventures were
in the habit OF gathering together night
" for drinks. discussion. and cards. At
the entrance OF the main companionway
they separated. Crfttenden stopping by
~
a growled "G'd-night," which Cynthia
recognized as Rhodes voice.
Miss Grayce-T' he asked in a low
voice.
1T was so hot; couldn't bear the
idea OF going in" said the girl Won't
you sit DOWN."
uritteuden dropped into the chair
Madame Savaran had left vacant by
Cynthia's side. and for a little time sat
without speaking.
She thought nothing of this. -Four
days on shipboard are not too few for
an acquaintanceship to progress far
enough TO permit OF the long silences
Of mutual understanding. But insen-
sibly she became aware that the man
was in a frame OF mind radically off
ferent from that which she had come
70 know the best Something had
happened 10 agitate him. to worry hun
beyond the normal She did not know
how she knew this. but know il she
did with unqualified certainty.
DISTURBED. she moved uneasily in her
chair and turned toward him; but
synchronous burst OF sending from the
wireless station made speech in any
thing like a guarded tone an impossi-
bflity.
For several minutes the suffering,
sour wheeze. punctuaated by heavy
detouatfons. continued with barely
perceptible interruptions. Cynthia could
see Crittenden holding his head to one
side, attentIvely. as though listening;
and when the noise at length was 81
fenced he sat up with a short laugh
well. thank heaven. that's over for
tonights" he said.
How do you know
II heard him pound out Good night
explained Crittenden. Il picked up a
fair working knowledge OF telegraph
ese when I was a reporter. and learned
10 read Morse by ear. Up TO that sig
nal TO shut off Thurlow was sending
code. and Of course / couldn't make
that out"
4 didn't know you had ever been a
newspaper man. 90.
~Oh yes" said ~rittenden. indiffsr-
entity.
Of his chair and applied the flame 10
the tip OF a cigarette In the small
glare Of rudy light Cynthia saw MS
face quite clearly for an instant, aad
from it's expression saw she had not