Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-04
since she could not see it's turnings for
her binding tears.
CHAPTER XIV.
Aftermath.

1 With but little hesitation, worked upon
| imperatively by his solicitude. Crittenden
quietly followed Cynthia. He might not
| rest until he knew that she was safe in
| her stateroom, in the company and care
| of Nine Savaran-for whose capabilities
he shared profound respect with all who
| came within the bounds of her sphere of
| influence and activity. With madame.
he felt, Cynthia would be more safe than
| anywhere else. under the conditions-still
somewhat nebulous in his Intelligence
then obtaining aboard the vessel Whether
4 or not the attack upon Rhode ana MS
/ downfall spelled anarchy. reign or mis-
rule on the Cynthia, remained IN ques-
| ton. OF one thing alone could Cr1tten-
den be sure-that the ship was not large
| enough to shelter both himself ana
| Capt. Lobb hescould regard without
corrosive animosity. Crittenden bore the
man no good will but was reasonable
!, His attitude when discovered by LobD-
! with pistol poised apparently on point
| of choice alone-had been sufficient war
| rant for his prompt disarmament by the
handiest method. So with Lobb he could
rest content to settle at any opportune
time. But Claret-a rattlesnahe or
! scorpion could share with him his quar-
| tiers as conceivably as the first ofncer OF
/, the Cynthia
| The slender, swaying shape Of white.
cropping it's way through the tenebrious
obscurity of the passages. led MIN IKE q
| lodestar. He trailed 1t with caution. at a
distance, lest Cynthia become aware Oh
the attention. Though determined to see
that she regained her stateroom unmo-
Tested. he was no less resolved that she
/ should never again, by any act or word
| of his be reminded of his interest or
even-if he could find a way to efface
I himself-of his existence. The wrong tnat
, he had done her ranked like corruption
! in his thoughts. blighting every normal
i instinct; not even second in his estimation
! to the foul injury conceived in the vicious
ness; of Claret's imagination.
From the very beginning, Crittenden
| told himself he had played the cur in all
| his association with her. He 1Oathed him.
self for the readiness with which he had
! made place for her image in his heart.
/ for the fondness with which he mad IN
| secret dwelt upon the thought OF her. Tor
the love of her that he had apprehended
without culver of resistance, tellns
| himself what he knew in his heart to be
/ false, that she should never dream of IT;
| for the eagerness which had marked his
anticipatons of their meetings, and the
| sweetness he had tasted of her naive ac-
ceptance of him in the guise of friend
! and confidant. Through these things
alone. which he could have averted and
| rendered as nothing by the least show of
/ indifference The fancied. had love grown
| the hour he had proven himself the egoist
| beyond pardon or redemption, through
the weakness with which he had yielded
| to the temptation to justify himself in
/ her eyes by the declaration OF his love.
| True, he had spoken simple truth-but a
!, lie denial. brutally contemptuous at
titude. would have quenched her passion
| in its inception; whereas his course had
been calculated solely to feed fuel to Its
| fame Though through some such false
! his she had learned TO
despise the thought of him, and would
SO all her days. still would ne nave
earned the right to hold his head up
with the highest among men. have proven
| himself more kind and true to her by
playing traitor to their love.
Before him. in the alleyway, the
| shadowy shape OF white faltered He
| too, paused. He heard her try the knob
of her stateroom door. then her uncer-
tain knock, and an instant later the in
articulate, mellow tones of Nine. Sa.
warrants voice.
Cynthia said in breath: 1t is |.
Cynthia. Please
There was a sound of something heavy
being dragged away from the door. fol-
lowed by a rattle Of yielding wards and
bolts. An oblong of light fell across the
| alleyway, showing Cynthia like ghost
madame a figure for laughter. mature
charms too candidly displayed in the too
youthful revelation of her nightdress,
wig and cap disposed at conflicting but
| mutually impossible angles. Then again
| the passage was darkened. CfittenGen
stole softly aft
The upper saloon resembled what was
visible to him of the lower. in its empt.-
ness. He swung lightly down the CON-
panionway. rage like a fire burning in
his bosom. and surprised Ackiin in the
business of clearing away litter of bot
ties and glasses at the end Of one of the
| tables.
The little Londoner showed face of
H.,
the sound OF footsteps. Seeing Critten-
den. he put aside his tray and came to
meet him midway in the saloon. with
| finger to his lips admonishng caution.
Miss Gy'yce. sir?' he asked. quickly
"She's i'm 'er styteroom, syfe?'
Yes" Crittenden answered. pausing
Thanks to you. Where's Claret?" he
pursued. without break.
Acklin threw quick glance at the
clock on the after transverse "'ArdIy
six BELLS SIR he commented Hell be
on the bridge STILL
aAll right said Crittenden. brusquely
| He swung on his heel to go back up the
companion. at the same time feeling in
his pocket for Nine. Savaran's revolver.
BEG pardon, sir
"Later-Ill talk to you later"
mo, sir, now-if you'll pardon, insist
ed the steward, darling forward and
on the lowest step. Just word of ad-
vice-you must ear me, sir. You're
thinkin' of shuttin' is mouth. l tyke it?"
Il am said Crittenden. grimly. Has
he been talking, do you know
Il think not, sir Els been too busy
ever since; 'e's navigatin' officer and pilot
in one. as you might s'y. That's what
wanted to tell you. sir. Es the only
man that knows these waters well enough
to tyke the ship syfely through them.
and il 'e's interfered with before we
come to anchor the chawnces are she'll
pile up on a sunken reef She's in the
thick Of them now. sir l ope you'll
overlook the liberty. but admit You bet
rather than risk the lives of all of us?
Scowling with Impotence. Crittenden
shook his arm free. You're right" he
agreed, reluctantly. Il didn't know
about our position--or rather, I'd forgot
fen what it ought to be just now. Make
your mind easy. I'll hold of till she
makes her anchorage
.'Thankee, sir. That's all l wanted to
s'y." Humbly the steward turned back
to his interrupted task.
For a few moments Crittenden fingered.
watching him curiously. Then. abruptly:
'Acklin?" said he.
The man hesitated. inquiringly
What's your interest in our side OF
this business. Acklin?' demanded Crit
tenden coming closer. why are you
so concerned for us. rather than for the
side OF the biggest guns?'
A strange look, unintelligible, crossed
the stewards face: then. when he SEEM
ed on the point of some imphlsive dis
closure. reticence clouded his eyes like a
palpable film.
II don't old with such goin' SON." he
said a thought sullenly; that is not