Mexico Missouri message., 1914-05-07
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tone: Beat IT," and the first officer
and the two sailors vanished with as
tonishing agility.
You see," once more addressing the
girl. "it's this way: Last thing Mr..
Willard told me before he went down.
town himself was that nobody was to
come aboard or go ashore without his
express consent Mr.. Brownlow in.
structed me to the same effect. Now.
IL you haven't something to show that
it's all right. you see what n fix you
are placing me in, don't your"
The girl Strengthened. and Tom
could feel the angry glance that swept
him. He looked helplessly of toward
the landing. conspicuous under the
blaze of electric bulbs, with a faint
hope that Max Willard would appear
and end the situation; but there was
no eign of him.
Captain Phinney"-her tones were
now biting-"am | to understand that
you will not allow me to go TOGO
ashore simply because | haven't a
scrap OF paper from a person who has
no control whatever over my move
ments? It's too absurd! You are
downright insulting to demand such a
thing when you have my word that II
is perfectly proper for me to 60"
Tom squirmed miserably.
Maybe didn't express myself very
we'll" he began.
you did not, indeed" she indig-
nantly agreed. IT'S highly important
but I'll not trouble to explain.
want to be taken over to the landing
at once"
The unfortunate skipper's predica.
ment. as they say in newspapers, "can
be better imagined than described
During a silence that seemed agelong
bis mind remained an utter blank; he
was sensible of a numbness stealing
over him, and OF a most outlandish de
sire to swear. To tell the truth, he sc
nearly let slip shaft OF heated pro
family that his tongue was at last
loOsened.
Della" he pleaded In desperation
| listen to me a moment. On shipboarC
orders are orders, and they are meant
for just one thing-to be obeyed. The
practice is 30 ingrained in every sea
| faring man that he never even thinks
OF shirking or compromising. Can
you at least wait a little bit until Mr.
Willard comes? | don't doubt but tina
it will be all right"
She was now angry through ant
through.
Then why do you stand there talk
ing like simpleton?" she flared a
him. IT'S not a question OF whethe
/ can or cannot wait-I don't propos
to-"
Della"
She stamped foot.
Don't call me that name!" sh
stormed-"don't you dare | detes
It! Besides, it's rude and impertinen
and ungentlemanly in you to take sue
a<liberty." She moved quickly int
the gangway. "If you won't, vii
Thank goodness. can run a motol
boat!"
Mechanically he reached forth
hand and caught her arm. And wit
the contact it was as II a miracle ha
happened for him; his discomposur
, left him, and all timidity and irresolr
ton vanished.
Dear girl" he said unsteadlly-
''Delia-don't do this thing; don't fore
me into such a trying position. II
were anybody in whom you are tn
I least bit interested. the last thing yo
= would expect of me would be to di
obey orders"
2 He had both her hands in his. Su
S denly she began pulling and tuggln
D In furious but vain effort to loose
Z his grasp.
"You-you wretched, miserable.
o ritating creature!" she cried tearfull
I Il have to go. Can't you get 1t I'M
g your stupid head?"
I "Delia-Delia-don he beseeche
/. her, quite beside himself once NOR
Dear girl, listen to reason"
d Gradually he was drawing her
a him. Then beth were stricken m
,. tionless and silent.