Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1913-03-26

ing lInpOFLl0eQI.
"Oh, excuse mel beg your par
don. But it's so beastly hot and dark
in here, you know, and I've never been
seasick before"
mo? Monsieur is fortunate" The
visitor advanced little, drew from
recess a shoe backing outfit, pulled
over it one of the stiff blankets from
neighboring bunk, and sat down
rather cautiously. Little by little
James made out more of the 10 * Of
the man. He was large and rather
blond, well-dressed, clean-shaven. He
spoke English easily, but with for
eign accent.
Il wish to inquire to what unfor-
tunate circumstances we are indebted
for your company on the Jeanne
Dare" The voice was cool and sharp
as a meat-ax.
Why. to your own kind-hearted-
ness. l was a derelict and you took
me in-saved my life, in fact; for
which | am profoundly grateful And
hope my presence here is not too
great a burden?"
Il am obliged to say that your pres
ence here is most unwelcome. More
over, | am aware that your previous
actions are open to suspicion. to ex-
press 1t mildly You threw yourself
off the tug; and as this is not pleas
ure yacht, but the vessel of high Of
fetal speeding on most important
business matter, said to the captain,
Let him swim! Or, IL he wishes to
die, why should we thwart him?' But
the captain referred to the etiquette
of the line as he calls it, and picked
you up. So you have not me to thank
for not being among the fishes this
minute
Jimmy pulled his blanket about and
sat up on his bunk. The sarcastic
voice stirred his bile, and suddenly
there doomed in his memory wom-
ans call for help. The hooded motor
car, the muf1led cry of terror. the in
ert figure being lifted over the side
of the yacht-these things crowded on
his brain and fired him to a sudden,
unreasoning fury. He leaned over,
looking sharply into the others face.
You damned scoundrel!" he said,
choking with his anger. The blood
surged into his face and eyes; he was.
for an instant a primitive savage. He
could have laid violent hands on the
other man and done him to death. in
the fashion of the half-gods who lived
in the twilight of history.
The visitor in the fo'casle exhibited
q neat row of teeth and no resentment
whatever at Jim's remark. But a
sharp glitter shot from his eyes as he
replied suavely:
Monsieur has doubtless mistaken
this ship, and probably it's master al
so, for some other less worthy adven-
turer on the sea- For that very rea-
son | have come to set you right 1t
may be that l have my quixotic mo-
ments AT any rate, have a fancy to
give you a gentleman's chance. Mon
sieur, regret the necessity of being
inhospitable, but | am forced to say
that you must quit the shelter of this
yacht within twenty-four hours"
The thin, sarcastic voice and clean
cut syllables famed the fame of jim
my's rage. He felt impotent, more
over, which never serves as a poultice
to anger. But he got himself in hand,
though imitation courtesy was not
much in his line. He tuned his big
hearty voice to a pitch with the
Frenchman's nasal pipe. and clipped
off his words In mimicry.
And to whom, pray, shall / have
the honor to say farewell, at the au-
spicious moment when | jump over
board?"
Gently, you American, gently!"
said the other my friends, and
some of my enemies, know me as Mon
sieur Chatelard" AS he paused for
an impressive instant, Jim, grabbing
his blanket, stood up In derision and
executed an elaborate bow in as for
eign manner as he could command.
Monsieur Chatelard politely waved
him down and continued:
But pray do not trouble to give me
your card! | had rather say adieu to
Monsieur the Unknown, whose daring
and temper so much admire. But l
certainly misunderstood your violent
remark a moment ago, did / not? You
can not possibly have any ground of
quarrel with me-
Il thought you stole my money
belt"
Monsieur smiled and waved a depre-
catory hand You have already dis
missed that idea, | am certain A
noney-belt, between gentlemen! More
over, you should thank me for so
much as recognizing the gentleman in
you, since you are without the custom
airy trappings of our class"
"Oh, don't know" said jim. But
Monsieur Chatelard was now imper-
turbaDle He continued blandly:
Since you are fond of sea-baths,
you viii no doubt enjoy plunge