Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-20


loneliness was to be relieved so quickly
and so charmingIy."
"Ohr" Cynthia's laugh deprecated this
flower of extravaganza, Just the same,
she said with sly malice. you were con-
fident it would be relieved, sooner or la
ter-weren't you?'
Well yes Perez admitted; "at least,
1 counted on my luck standing by me.
Thus it is to have been born under a
lucky star senorita"
Cynthia arched her brows over that
senorita, not wholly sure she liked it;
but for the first time she let it pass.
1t had flavor of familiarity she ques-
toned.
You believe in your lucky star, then?"
she said turninp , walk aft, the man
beside her. - IS.
Implicitly. am really singularly IA
vored by chance" he asserted. IT mean,
l never fail What I set my heart on,
senorita. that comes to my possession,
invariably; not. perhaps. through any
act of mine, but as the sun rises, but as
something predestined."
Possibly you are careful never to wish
for the unattainable," Cynthia suggested,
plant to an impulse for mischief.
Possibly" he admitted with serene
laugh. But If I were to, I'm conf
dent the unattainable would become mine,
senorita"
His tone and his look were alike mean
ingful Cynthia stiffened.
IF you don't mind" she said quietly,
Il prefer Miss Gracye to senorita."
Your preference is my law, Miss
Grayce. And yet senorita seemed
appropriate to one in your position
Travelling with duenna 90. :"
He laughed. ..-,s-
"On the contrary" said Cynthia seri-
ously, Madame Savaran is my employ
er. / am merely her paid companions"
Nevertheless, 1 maintain she is
equipped with all the harness of du-
emma. I'm sure the sonora is a terrible
dragon" ..'--.. ..s..
shes dear" Cynthia insisted stout
ly; I'm very fond Of her and 1 wish
you wouldn't speak Of her disrespect-
fully"
Il shan't again-not having intended
disrespect in the first instance. Merely
to see you was sufficient to suggest the
need of duenna, Miss Grayce''
They paused by the after rail of the
promenade deck, Cynthia a trifle ruffled
and frowning, precisely as Perez,
suavely attentive. wished her to be.
rs that impudence. Mr.. Perez?' she
asked with ahdirect look into his face.
He composed his features to a gravi-
ty commensurate with hers. mot so
meant" he said soberly "You surely
can't blame me for thinking you re-
quire protection on this ship, this voy-
age"
"Why?" she demanded.
Don't you .know?" he countered in
surprise-whether real or simulated she
could not tell.
81 am told" she said after a mo-
ment that the Cynthia is being taken
to Rio de Janeiro for delivery to an Ar
gentine shipping concern that has pur-
chased her at second hand. Isn't 1T
true?" ~
Perez regarded her with amusement
$50 they told you THAR said he softly,
calpping his hand together on the rail.
isn't it true?' she insisted.
Not wholly" he answered, still with
his gentle, derisive smile But it is a
good he," he added generously.
Then what is the TRUTH
I'm not sure have the right to
say" Perez replied cautiously. why
not ask Madame Savaran?"
"She doesn't know"
"So-ow said Perez, again bringing
his hands gently together.
"She knows-has given me to under
stand-that there's something strange
-outre- q.
Inat is the TlBnL WOFO-OuI-e
agreed the man gravely. "Ther is, in
fact" he added with an appearance of
spontaneous candor, more to this voy-
age than simple transfer of the ship
from North to South American hands
1 should think you'd have been told. .
However. matters as they stand,
can't say more, except, senoritd-
pardon, Miss Grayce-that in event of
any-ah-time of stress and discom-
0-f will
obedient servant, HIppolyte Perez, tc-
lieve me, yours to command"
From an after door in the main deck
superstructuTe, beneath their feet, a
tall young man appeared, and. uncon-