The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1912-08-15
CHAPTER XVI.


the ceiling OF the stateroom. urun
which rippled wavcr!2S lines OF light
reflected through the portfolio BY e
waters without. His mind for ne
time was blank; he was merely con-
scious that he was rested and Very
thirsty, and that the ship was mo-
tionless.
Then in a binding fash memory
returned to him. He rose, curlous:y
light-headed and strangely weak,
pushed open the door and stepped il
to the saloon.
1t was lighted, if poorly. by smoky
kerosene lamp dependent from beam
above the center-table, and wore hol-
low, dingy air OF desolation io- all
that Danny slept there, his vivid head
pillowed on arms crossed before HIN
on the table. The ship was utterly Si-
lent, and the ORourkes sensitive a.
stinct told him that it was tenant, i
only by himself and the servant
He clapped hand on Dar2y's
shoulder and shook him into wakelu.-
ness. The boy leapt to his feet VITA
a cry and, seizing O'Rourke's hand. be
gan to sob upon it--a touching but
disconcerting performance, to the last
degree eXasperatirg to a man thirst
ing and famisEed.
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 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 edibles upon q tray
graced likewise by a bottle OF cham
pagne. And you are TO believe that
the master fell to and wolfed il ali.
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 tine
1t was not clouded with bewilderment
and concern at the answers lie re-
ceived, cross-examined his valet.
How long" was his first question,
will l have slept now. Danny ye
divvle?"
Wan complete round av the clock.
yer honor"
Where are we:'
At anchor, sor, off the Fort in Bom-
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
I 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. ne had wished to put ever
since he had eaten.
"And Mrs. Prynne?"
"Aw, yer honor"
whats the matter, Danny?"
"Sure. sor, ard akin yer pardon for
spakir so, and manin' no manner of
disrsyspict Whatsoever"
what the divvle, Danny"
Danny drew himself up with an air,
bristling indignation. Sure, and 'tis
meself never seen the loike av thin
w:nmin for rank ingratichude, sor.
And afther all thot meseli had said
to thot black-eyed Fripch vixen"
Danny"
No, sor, not wan word av ut will
widdroy, not If ger honor discharges
me wild me usual months notice, sor,
this inmate. FaiI, 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
hailir' boat and intendin' to go
ashore, widoIt so much as fare-ye-
well, and me ueanin' the most hon.
crable intintions in the world toward
the maid"
Have your intentions ever been
aught else toward any woman ye ever
won a smile from, spalpeen?"
"Aw, now, yer honor"
Get on with your story. What
about Mrs. Prynne?' demanded
ORourke, eyeing his servant curiously
and trying to fathom his but half-dis-
guised and wholly awkward air of self
esteem. Plainly the boy thought
highly of himself because of some
thing he had accomplished, some ex-
plot of prowess or stroke Of diplo-
macy as yet undisclosed.
"Yissor. l was tellin' ye 1t
seemed to me the height Of maneness
she was displayin', ma'nin' this same
Mrs. Prynne, whin twas mesilf knew,
none betther, how much ye've laid
out on her account and hersilf not
waitin' to settle up wild ye-"
What business was that Of yours?"
"'Twas none, sor. But yersilf had
keeled over and was did to iyrything,
arn fo, ~a% - 1onlr nr$