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

scious of those above him-a cigar
cite dropping from his lips-strayed in
leisure toward the stern. Something
q flutter of recognition, she thought u
stirred in Cynthia's bosom; but she
stood still and made no sign.
.'Then you think" she said in low
voice, that matters may become So
so complicated that the women on
board might need protection
81 trust II won't he as serious as
that" returned the man at her SIDE;
put IL anything so deplorable should
come about, I'd be glad to know you
depended on me"
Cynthia Strengthened up and stood
back from the rail.
Il presume 1 should thank yon'
said she, with her most bewilderins
smile.
ITO have you remember my offer in
time of need, Wilt be my thanks said
Perez, making her little, seml-SraVe
bow.
"I'll try not to forget" she assured
him lightly. But I'm half convinced
you incline to exaggerate. However,
she added. moving off toward the COM
panion ladder with a little nod lndi-
eating the one she named-'however,
there's Mr.. Crittenden. and I'm gong
to ask him what he thinks"
surance and discounted to be deserted
ir so cavalier fashion, the Brazilian
stared and stammered blankly as the
girl began to descend.
You know Mr. all Crittenden-T
Cynthia showed him over her shoulder
her. most provoking smile. "Oh, yes we
were old friends-once."
And lert the man to fret his wits
over the reading of that riddle. In
deed, lacking both her apology Tor
the abrupt dismissal and excuse to &C
company her, to wonder was all the
Brazilian could do about it.
After that initial flash of chagrin, how
ever. if Perez felt resentment, he failed
to show ii. A curious smile lurked be-
meath the soft, plump, brown fingers that
caressed his purple-shaded mouth ana
chin. while he fingered watching the
slim. Whitehead figure move along the
after deck, picking a gingerly way be-
tween coils of tarry cable and greasy
cargo winches. presently to join the
shabbily- idler abaft the deck
house sheltering the auxiliary steering
engine.
"Old friends. once-eh? A dis
rupted romance. yes? Perez
conjectured, keenly attentive to the man
ner of their meeting. But that told him
nothing.
He saw Crittenden lounging over the
rail. his pose distracted, wholly unaware
of the approach of Cynthia; and then he
saw him swing round with start. Even
at that distance the animation OF both
at meeting was discernible, and the
cheerful friendliness of their handclasp
was not to be disputed. But it was a
brief and quite unloverlike formality; ana
their subsequent attitude one toward the
other furnished no further clew to the
enigma-at least to the unimaglnatlve
eve and mind Cynthia with back to the
rail and elbows resting on it, trim white
shoes near together as she braced her
body against the slow rolling of the boat
white linen skirt whipping in the breeze,
hair of gold burning in the evening hght
like a frame for the brilliant miniature
of her bright young face: Crittenden at
q little distance, standing without sup
port. his dark, lean, thoughtful counten-
ance hended attentively over her; TINS
did not convey any impression OF re-
union of disparted sweethearts.
f''Or a romance in the making, Ell!
said Perez softly. Queen sabe?
CONTINUED in Next Issue)