The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-01


under level brows; and he did not in
the least doubt that she was quite pre-
pared to make good and effectual use
of the revolver which she held pointed
directly at the opening.
Why?
From her mistress poise, too-one
arm rigid at her side, the hand con-
cealed in the folds of her gown
O'Rourke OWNED that she was alert,
armed, on her guard no less than the
maid. But she left him no time to
puzzle over the mystery.
"Well?" she demanded breathlessly.
"'Tis as I thought, Mrs. Prynne. A
cylnder-head has blown off and done
no end of damage. We're crippled, if
in no danger. The other screw will
take us far as Alden, but there we'll
have to wait for the next boat"
Mrs. Prynne's face clouded with dis
may. "How long-a day or two?" she
demanded.
"Mayhap,' he replied, no less dis
consulate; "mayhap as much as a
week. Faith, it's meself that would it
were otherwise, but I fear there's no
mending matters"
She regarded him thoughtfully for
an instant.
Then you, too, travel in haste, colo.
nel?"
Indeed I do so, madam. Me for
h. ocfo Cof-
there"-he checked himself in time,
the word Rangoon upon his lips-"too
late, twill be all up. I'm heavy with
an urgent enterprise, madam" And
he smiled.
The woman looked past him. down
the dusk of the gangway, apparently
bordering her dilemma. what will
you do?" she inquired at length.
Faith" he said, disturbed, chats
hard to say"
She flashed him an ironic look.
you mean you are resigned to the in
evitable?"
"Be the powers!" he cried in re-
sentiment, I'm resigned to nothing
that doesn't please me. Is it that ye
ask me aid? Sure, if ye do, neither
the inevitable nor the impossible shall
keep We from arriving at Bombay, and
on time!"
Her spirit, through her eyes, an
swered his in flash. Then cooling,
she looked him over from crown to
tie, weighing him deliberately in the
balance of her knowledge of men.
He bore the inspection with equanin1-
ity, quite sure of himself. as was nat
ural in the O'Rourke. Provoked, put
on his mettle, he felt himself irwin
chile, and showed it in every line of
his pose. She could not have wavered
long: indeed, her decision was quite
manifest. Impulsi~ely she caught his
two hands in her own.
"Yes," she cried, II do believe you!
I take you at your word-your gener-
Gus word, Colonel O'Rourke! will
trust implicitly in you. You shall get
me to Bombay by the fifteenth
"The fifteenth" he echoed thought
fully This is the tenth
"The Panjnab is scheduled to ar
rive on the fifteenth. All my plans
depend upon there being no delays"
Five days! 1t shall be
managed, Mrs. Prynne. Bombay by
the fifteenth it shall be. or the
O'Rourke will have broken his hearth"
She grew thoughtful. 'You are very
good-Ive told you that. | believe
that you will accomplish what you
promise. Yet it seems hardly fair to
saddle you with my cares. my perils,
without informing you of their ma
ture-"
Madam, it's not the O'Rourke who
would ever be prying into your Sc
crets. Let's not complicate simple
situation with explanations"
But, colonel, there is one thing
more" He paused. 1T is question"
she continued, "of chartering ship
at Alden, is it not?"
II see no other way"
'Then-spare no expense, Colonel
O'Rourke Remember that I foot the
bill"
"But-er-"
"Or if you insist, sir, pay nothing:
Great Britain pays for both Of u.s.
"Eh? Yes?" he stammered.
"But see, colonel"
He had before then noted indiffer-
emily that she wore chain Of thin,
fine gold about her neck, it's termina-
tion-presumaby locket of some
sort-hidden in the folds Of her cor
| sage. Now she quietly pulled this
forth, and displayed her pendant, a
little trinket of gold, running grey
hound exquisitely modelled.
Stunned, he stared first at the top,
then at the woman. eye mean to say
p" he whispered, doubling.
"On the Kings service, Colonel
O'Rourke!"
"a Kings courier, madam? YOU
a woman!"
"And why -not?" she demanded
proudly. "The Kings messengers dare