New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09


to a parchcd throat. Feeling stronger and
more herself for each delicious breath, hum
bly, the girl gave thanks; for 1t seemed that,
with the passing Of the gale, the ghasuy
incubus Of mal-de-mer had been exercised.
Presently, conscious OF pang of hunger,
she touched the repeating spring on her
bracelet watCh,-an eXquisltely small, Jew
cled extravaganza, her fathers git OF the
previous Christmas and bent an attentive
ear 70 its elm chime.
Eight o'clock Now everybody else, OF
course, including her Dowager Dragon,
would be al dinner; and now one TO whom
within twelve hours the very thought OF food
had been abhorrent, distilled evaporation
from the knowledge that It was too late to
dress and dine in public.
But as she lay in doubt, trying to de-
eide whether she was really as hungry as she
felt. or would do better TO deny herself food
until breakfast. she heard a sound from the
outer deck 50 singular that IN twlnkhng 1t
focused her drowsy, Grant wits.
As nearly as Ononatoppia will render It,
the sound was "PSSt- bSSSi- bSSSd, trlsyl-
Liable hiss Of which each part was longer and
more emphatic than its predecessor; not
merely a hiss, but something more: a signal
with an individuality and slgnl canoe
both sinister and urgent. Enthusiastically OF
human origin, though as Old and alarming
as the warning of a serpent, 1t brought the
girl from her bed 20 her feet with start.
But her movement was a nOlseless one,
and conveyed no warning 70 him who mad
sounded that strange call.
This last she discovered at pause inrne-
diatelv outside the window; but his back
was 10 il, so that she could see little more
than the cOncavc line Of his dark, lean,
shaved cheek, AMI the back OF a long, mar
row head beneath a steamer cap with Vizor
well down over his eyes.
Almost Immediately the hiss was an
swered by quick light footsteps, and the
voice Of one as yet invisible, voice oI
guarded accent but vibrant with indigna-
lion. aWhat the devil do YOU mean by buzz
zing me ike that
Tbc Girl trembled. Unless her senses
were untru,tworthv, she knew that voice
better than her own. It seemed Impossible
that she could be mistaken.
II was again audible, the response OF the
man outside the window having escaped
her aYou infatuate ass, Don't you know
hotter than 10 take such chances;
ooh. it's al right. He's up on the boat
decl, chinnin' with some skirt ! made sure
Of that before ] laid for you. Trust me.
Trust you 20 play the fool. Don I YOU
know every word YOU utter can be overheard
in those staterOoms;' $780,,
Instinctiyclv the girl crouched IN the
shadow Of her bedstcad, in deadly terror lest
Che be detected at her involuntary caves
dropping: SD strong upon her sensitive per
ceptions the psychological effect OF TINS sur
rcptitious passage.
But her fears we're quickly dissipated; the
interview terminating as abruptly as II had
begun. .,. .,;,.,
continued incisiyely. "And for the last time
| warn you: don't approach me again
aboard this ship,
aBut-listcn," the other pleaded and
threatened in the one breath. I'VE got to
oct a straight answer out OF you-
aI've given it alrcady--twice. FOR jhc
third timc-no,7 With this the last speaker
strobe briskly forward. NJ.
Rising as silently as any shadow MISS
Carterct again turned her face TO the port.
The man who had Kissed was still there'
watching the other way.
She fancicd something sullen and menac-
inc in the touring inclination Of his head, the
et6oD Of his narrow shoulders.
Suddenly. with a mumblcd word mar