Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-24
Cynthia-ot -the-Minute
CopurieH 1911 By Louis Joseph Vance

facilitate the work Of examination; and
there was no evidence to show that the
committee on inspection had taken. any
pains TO leave things as they had found
them. The majority OF the trunks were
no more than half closed, their lids re-
naming upliftsd on protudins masses Of
/ garments.
Happily conspicuous amongst It's neigh
bors cynthia discovered the1oid and bat
I tered box packed at and brought TO her
Y from her one time lodging BY the COM
Wandered. housekeeper. OF the Monoiith
| ages agOne! ' ~ - p p"
Like all the others, it, had been broken
open. its contents rummaged and left in
disorder. But Cynthia was now deeply
intrigued with contemplation Of her
plan, which moment by moment In her
ardent Imagination assumed more and
more Of a complexion proper only to
something practicable, warranted by the
emergency and right. In such state OF
mind. she experienced only the faintest
flush of resentment of this new indig-
nifty. counterpart of that prior violation
| OF her privacy when her stateroom had
been turned topsy-turvy. her intimate
belongings subjected 10 trespass of
alien eyes and rude hands. Recent expe-
/ rience had already schooled her to the
anticipation OF nothing better than bar
bsrism from barbarians, to whom neither
age nor sex nor condition were consid-
cradle If opposed to their desires and
designs.
Aclxlin dragged the trunk to an &C
cessible position and at her direction
| lifted out the upper tray. permitting
Cynthia, on her knees to delve directly
TO the lowermost layer of her posses
sions. And there, confirming her expec-
tation and hope, she found a neat and
compact bundle of black silk garments;
her bathing costume, an almost forgot
ten relic and despised memento of those
I old. those now strangely unreal, days
when the round of European watering
places had been an essential part of
the annual program dictated by her
money maddened parent.
Singular she thought it. to reflect that
its very inutility alone had permitted
the survival Of this costume until this
day. when nothing could by any posi-
bility more fifty serve her. requirements.
That is all. thank you. Acklin," she
said absently. examining the bundle to
make certain that nothing was lacking.
Impassive, as became his training. the
steward replaced the tray and closed the
top upon it, then Strengthened up. ex-
peetant.
she searched his face with eyes at once
/ distrustful and appealing. If he should
fail her, now! And what right had
she to trust to- him the issue of her hap
piness? What If he should disapprove
her project. refuse his aid?"
And yet she had no choice but to trust
him. He alone of all on board the
Cynthia (AIadame Savaran and Critten-
den aside had shown her friendly and
IL
or run the gravest risk of failure through
the handicap of her ignorance and her
sex. Acklin alone could afford her pre-
cisely the assistance and information she
required.
You said that was all. miss?" he asked,
respectful even in his impatience.
Impetuously she took doubt and indeci-
sion by storm,
I'm going. ashore. Acklin." she said
brapidly; Mr.. Crittenden is wounded and
alone They won't permit him to return
to the ship. He must have attention.
but they have refused me a boat to
go to him. So I'm going, alone-tonight,
after dinner-when the ship is quiet. And
l want you>to help me-"
Acklin's eyes narrowed with attention
and perplexity. But how, miss?'' he
objected. 1T wouldn't be possible, I'm
afr'ide. to lower aboat without"
Il don't need boat" the girl declar-
ed. Il can. do without it. mean to
] swim ashore"
4 Swim miss-you?"
why not? I'm not afraid; can swim
quite well; it's not too far, And must
! -. =" .5
But, miss, you =. rAckin's fore
head grew corrugated with uncertainty.
1t don't seem as If you ought to- If
you don't mind my s'ying so. 7. It's
! ard to s'y what's right. I'd go myself
/ instead OF you, miss, only I can't swim"
Cynthia shook her head vigorously. Il
wouldn't let you. No one could attend
to HIS wound Ikea woman. And 1t
| will be easy enough. have my bath
ing suit here. D.. All need OF you is to
find some way for me to slip over the
side. without being seen or. making too
much noise. ="
That ought to be easy enough, to-
night" he replied after a thoughtful
pause. They won't finish with the
cargo till late, I ear, and then they'll
all be dead beat or drunk or both-beg
pardon, miss. There won't be any anch-
\ or watch-none worth the nyme, If they
should trouble to set one. can fix that
part Of il all right"
And then" the girl continued intent
ly. Il want you to find me something
watertight, something to hold bandages
and medicines, that I can fix on my
shoulders, like a knapsaek, you know"
Yes" Acklin nodded. 81 know Just
the thing. It'd be a bit of an 'elp TO
you, miss, unless you're a very strong
swimmer indeed. I'll tyke a life belt
and remove one Of the corks and put
water-tight tin its plyce Then you
can strap IL round you. and if you
should get tired, it'll old you up as
long as you like. You give me what
ever you ave in mind to tyke to Mr..
Crittenden-pass IL to me quiet-like-
and I'll pack it in the tin, and ave 1t
all ready for you"
Not an objection. not a hint OF I'M
willingness to be her accomplice! Gym
thia was all but ready to weep for
sheer relief. Indeed, so intense was
the obsession Of her purpose, the sense
of being under the lash of implacable
necessity, that I'm all probability she
would as readily have broken down at
any suggestion in the manner of the
steward Of desire to thwart or deny
her.
| But Acklin was alert to recognize
the symptoms of her haIf-distracted