Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-24


than eight months ago. That was one hundred and
nineteen-no, hundred and twenty days ago,
crossing the line this side, in the Pacific Vessels
coming and going have been the lookout for her.
Not much plank of her decks, bucket nothing
belonging to her. has been reported You sent one of
your steamers | recall, north from Caao espe
cially-"
aYes. She failed"
"The Drumliebank's MASTER Faulkner, has reputa-
ton for quick passages He'd have found way to be
reported before this if met him few years ago,-a
straight, outstanding young giant, the kind to come
through there was chance But you see, Miss Muir,
the Drumliebanks argo-stee Orders
"Mr Laysan, know all about the Drumliebank's
cargo interrupted Helen Muir, raising her face from
the chlds shoulder against which she had been press
ing it. II know that steel ships like the Drumliebank
go down like plummets' when they do go, matter
what the cargo may be- There is nothing you tell
me about my ship that | do not know. The morning
Proctor and left London fortnight ago told
by my agents that she already conceded lost.
Still that did not it could not deter me.
mended to your company as one that could and would
undertake a search. told at home that there
a In San Francisco named Pericles OBr1en who
could find the Drumliebank if she afoat Proctor
and reached here but two hours ago. 1t cannot be,
Mr. Laysan, that you imagine the cost stands in the
way? No matter what the cost may be, am willing
and capable of paying
mo indeed it is not the COST said Laysan, unable
to conceal his embarrassment; "but feel Miss Muir,
that would be wrong for to undertake your employ
ment, to let you engage US IN what must confess
believe to be imposslblty, futile search. Besides
at the present time have vessel fitted to under
take such piece of business 1t will be at least week
before we shall have one port There none that we
could charter. Canddly, in all conscience, could
not
mo matter what it costs must find vessel!'
said the girl shpowner and there the slightest note
of hysteria in her voice "We must set out lmrne
ately-now-before another day.
Laysan in distress, looked across the room at Miss
Muirs companion. He was to receive no aid in that
quarter He turned toward Pericles appealingly; but
his partner engaged in studying the rug under his
feet Mrs Laysan caught her husbands glance and put
gentle hand on the with which Miss Muir was
IaySan r
4My DEAR she asked, show you speak with
such certainty about the Drumliebank' How can you
know that she still iveS?'
Miss Muir turned and met the gaze of Mrs. Laysan
fully Only the blind could have failed to see the SYM
pathy in Eugenies brown eyes Her great heart spoke
through them the distressed girl and the stranger
heard the message.
a know the Drumliebank still lives because Willie
Faulkner commands her"
A LII mystery disspated by that statement Sir
Michael Muirs granddaughter uttered it with the
great pride Of love ruling her voice And too there was
note of determined, uncomfortable faith back OF the
declaration. The manner in which she had used the
of the Drnliebank's master the unconscious
familiarity of love in its finest tide. Eugene put
round her with pressure of reinsurance Laysan
avoided the girls gaze but Per1ces met 1t tor one sec
ond and then in the silence that had come into the
room he from his chair to stare out into the garden
Turning doubtfully from her husband, Mrs. Laysan's
eyes joined Helen Murs in following Perices. He fac
ing his partner suddenly, and with the light OF old in
his eyes, said
"John, somehow can't help feeling that the Drum
lebank's somewhere out there all right"
Laysan looked at Perices in surprise. Mrs. Laysan
frightened perceptiby. sharp intake of breath
parted Helen Murs lips. Proctor sat forward in her
seat, nodding her gray head as if in justification.
Remember that Frenchrnan last year." Pericles
went on, "out of Swansea two hundred and eighteen
days and not sighted and not spoken once until she
poked her through fog out there the morning of
her arrival? Now if She
The ringing of extension telephone at small table
at Perices side interrupted him. and at nod from Lay
san he picked up the instrument NV
"Yes. Hello. Hello, Coogan. What are you
Yes, this is he " Got her off, Ell? Yes. Haw-