Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-06-09


than have others think that money
meant anything to them. Arthur would
have paid the difference at once rather
than have stood on the pier wrangling
was to convey them back to the ship.
Elsa observed a powerful midde-aged
man, gray-haired, hawk faced, steel
eyed, watching her companion intently.
Then his boring gaze travelled over her,
from her canvas-shoes to her helmet.
There was something so badly apprais-
ing in the look that flush of anger
surged into her cheeks. The man turn
ed and said something to his compan-
ion, who shrugged and smiled Impa-
tiently Elsa tugged at Warrington's
sleeve.
Who is that man over there by the
railing?" she asked IN a very low voice
He looks as if he knew you"
Knew me-" Warrington echoed.
The moment he had been dreading had
come. Sorne one who knew him! He
turned his head slowly, and Elsa, who
had not dropped her hand, could feel
the muscles of his arm stiffen under
the sleeve. He held the strangers eve
defantly for a space. The latter laugh
ed insolently if silently. 1t was more
for Elsa's sake than for his own that
Warrington allowed the other to stare
him down. Alone, he would have sur
rendered to the Berserk rage that
urged him to leap across the interven-
ing space and annihilate the man, to
crush him with his bare hands until
he screamed for the mercy he had al
ways denied others. The flame passed,
leaving him as cold as ashes II shall
tell you who he is later; not here"
For the second time since that night
on the Irrawaddy, Elsa recorded a dis
agreeable sensation. 1t proved to be
transitory, but at the time it served to
establish a stronger doubt in regard to
her independence, so justifiable in her
own eyes. 1t might be insidously lead
ing her too far away from the stepping
off place. The unspoken words in
those hateful eyes, The man knew
Warrington, knew him perhaps as a
malefactor, and judged his associates
accordingly. She thus readily saw the
place she occupied in the mans est-
nation. She experienced a shiver of
dread as she observed that he stepped
on board the tender. She even heard
him call back to his friend to expect
him in from Singapore during the sec
Ond week in March. But the dread
went away, and pride and anger grew
instead. All the way back to the ship
she held her chin in the air, and from
time to time her nostrils dilated. That
look! If she had been nearer she was
certain that she would have struck him
across the face.
There will be no one up in the bow"
said Warrington. will you go up
there with me?"
After a moments hesitation, she nod
ded.
The Lascars busy with the anchor
chains, demurred; but word and a
gesture from the Sahib who had turned
the hose on a drunken man convinced
them that the two would not be in the
way. A clatter of steel against steel
presently followed, the windlaSs whin-
ed and ratified, and Elsa saw the an
chor rise slowly from the deeps, bring
ing up a blur Of muddy water; and
blobs of pale clay dripped from the an
Choir -fukes A moment after she felt
the old familiar throb under her feet,
and the ship moved slowly out Of the
bay.
DO you know that that man came
aboard?'
Il know it," The wide half-circle of
cocoanut palms grew denser and lower
as they drew away This is the story.
It's got to be told. I should have
avoided it if it had been possible. He
is the owner of the plantation. Oh,
rather expected something like this. It's
my run of luck. | was just recovering
from the fever. God knows how he
found out, but he did. 1t was during
the rains. He told me to get out that
night. Didn't care whether l died on
the road or not should have but for
my boy James. The man sent alorg
with us poor discarded woman, of
whom he had grown tired She died
when we reached town. | had hardly
any money. He refused to pay me for
the last two months, about fifty pounds.
There was no redress for me. There
was no possible way could get back
at him. Miss ChetwOod, | took money
that did not belong to me. 1t went over
gaming tables. Craig. l ran away.
Craig knows and this man Mallow
knows. Can you not see the wisdom of
giving me wide berth?"
"Oh, | am sorry" she cried.
Thanks. But you see: | am an
outcast Tonight, not a soul on board
will be in ignorance of who ! am and
what have done. Trust Craig and
Mallow for that Thursday we shall
he in Singapore. You must not speak
to me again. Give them to understand
that you have found me out; that I
imposed on your kindness"
THAT | will not do
Act as you please. There are empty |
chairs at the second class table, among |
the natives. And now, good-by. The
happiest hours in ten long years are
due to you" He took off his helmet |
and stepped aside for her to pass. She
h eld out her hand, but he shook his |
head Don't make it harder for me-"
Mr.. Warrington, | am not child"
ITO me you have been the Angel of
Kindness; and the light in your face |
shall always see. Please go now
Very we'll" A new and unaccount |
able pain filled her throat and forced
her To carry her head high. Il can find
my way back to the other deck"
He saw her disappear down the first
ladder reappear up the other. minglc |
with the passengers and vanish. He
then went forward to the prov and
stared down at the water wondering if
it held rest or pain or what.
ITO he Continued.)