The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-05-16

Monsieur takes the liberty OF be-
ng impertinent."
"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"
NO? Monsieur is fortunate The
visitor advanced a little, drew from
recess shoe backing outfit, pulled
over it one of the stiff blankets from
a neighboring bunk, and sat down /
rather cautiously. Little by little
James made out more of the look 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 meat-ax
why, to your own kind-hearted'
ness. ! 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 burden?"
81 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 it mildly. You threw yourself
off the tug; and as this Is not pleas
ure yacht, but the vessel of high OIL
fetal speeding on most important
business matter, said to the captain,
Let him swim! Or, If he wishes to
die, why should we thwart him" But
the captain referred to the etiquette
of the line,' as he calls 1t, 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 a WON
ans call for help. The hooded motor
car, the muffied cry of terror, the IN
! ert figure being lifted over the side
of the yacht-these things crowded OF
his brain and fired him to sudden
unreasoning fury. He leaned over
looking sharply into the others face.
"You damned scoundrel!" he said
choking with his anger The bloot
surged into his face and eyes; he was
: for an instant. primitive savage. HI
could have laid violent hands on tn
other man and done him to death, Il
, the fashion of the half-gods who live
In the twilight Of history.
: The visitor in the fo'cas'le exhibite
: a neat row OF teeth and no resentmen
whatever at Jim's remark. But
+ sharp glitter shot from his eyes as b
e replied suavely:
e Monsieur has doubtless mistake
i, this ship, and probably its master a
d so. for some other less worthy advel
n turer on the sea. For that very re-
E son have come to set you right.
t may be that | have my duixotic nj
;. ments. At any rate, have fancy
give you a gentleman's chance. Mo
8. sieur, / regret the necessity of beir
inhospitable, but | am forced to SO
d that YOU must quit the shelter OF tn
$ Yacht within twenty-four hours
n The thin, sarcastic voice and clea
e cut syllables famed the flame OF Jill
y my's rage. He felt impotent, NOR
,e over, which never serves as poulti'
lie TO anger. But he got himself In han
though imitation courtesy was n
g. much in his line. He tuned his b
1t hearty voice to pitch with Il
" Frenchman's nasal pipe, and clipp'
O. off his words in mimicry.
v. "And to whom, pray, shall ha
II the honor to say farewell, at the a
at snicious moment when ! Jump ov'
re board?"
to Gently. you American, gently
Il, cold the other. my friends, a
lie some of my enemies, know me as Nc
az sieur Chatelard" Az he paused
ar an impressive instant, Jim. grabbl
nd his blanket, stood up In derision a
q executed an elaborate bow in as +
nd eign a manner as he could commaI
n. Monsieur Chatelard politely wav
,ir him down and continued:
SO But pray do not trouble to give
3f vour card! had rather say adieu
III Monsieur the Unknown, whose dart
let and temper / so much admire Blu
be- certainly misunderstood your viol'
tly remark moment ago, did not? J
er. can not possibly have any ground
ICE quarrel with me-"
nd Il thought you stole my mon
belt"
IN. Monsieur smiled and waved der
in. catory hand "You have already
na- missed that idea, / am certain.
lar money-belt, between gentlemen! Mo
- over. you should thank me for
ed much as recognizing the gentleman
MT you. since you are without the GUST
airy trappings of our class"
"Oh, don't know" said Jim.
,ur Monsieur Chatelard was now I'M
turbable. He continued blandly:
III since you are fond of sea-ba