Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-10-02

essary to tell her.
Since the excitement has passed
without tragedy" she said, her man
ner and utterance extremely formal.
there is no reason why l shouldn't
proceed with my errand-unless / am
a prisoner"
please don't talk that way" he
protested. hurt to the quick by her
tone. You are not prisoner. And
you can't be SO unreasonable as to
blame me for doing my duty. Even
now the launch is fetching Mr. Willard
off; he'll be on board in minute"
She colored. In spite of her out
ragged feelings, she could not deny that
this big, laundering, stupid. simple
hearted mantle adjectives are all
her own-affected her In a way that
filled her soul with an extraordinary
commingling of gladness and terror.
She was stirred by the ,strangest dis
cord of emotions-a joy that was in
comprehensive. and a powerful some
thing within her that instinctively rose
up and strove nightly to drive it
forth. She looked wonderingly upon
the man who had wrought this mir
acle; then an imp of perversity seized
her. and she wanted more than any
thing else to punish him-wound him
make him smart and writhe.
Tom stood watching her with look
of grave concern.
Surely" he said presently, you are
not thinking of going downtown alone
at this time of night? 1t Is past eight
o'clock"
She turned upon him pettishly.
Captain Phinney, do your RESPONSE
bilities as master of the Kohinur ex-
hawser? ! am not entirely helpless:
If necessary ! can appeal to Mr. VIII
lard"
He WINGED. And at this moment vii.
lard entered the cabin. His mien was
anxious and troubled.
What's this about Callis?" he de-
manded. Manifestly he had received
some sort of account of the occurrence
on the way to the yacht.
Tom briefly told him and. to avoid
further agitating the girl. suggested
that he see Mr. Hewitt at once.
Before you do" he added. 81 would
going and coming includes this young
lady?"
Willard brushed back the strayed
lock of white hair with the same tired
gesture that Tom had witnessed be-
fore. He sighed profoundly.
NO" he said, 1T does not made
no exceptions because | wanted to
avoid explanations. Calls Is the only
one OF my party at whom the order
was particularly aimed Lord!
What a source of anxiety he has been!
. The other three men will
cause you no trouble on that score:
they understand that they are to re-
main on the yacht. or course no
aboard"
Thank you. sir returned Tom.
stifiy. ..I wish I had known this; L
can follow orders only as ! receive
them"
He faced the silent girl with a chal-
lenging look. Willard was leaving
them-he disappeared. And she had
not appealed to him.
'T will order the launch" he said
quietly.
Without a word she preceded him
up to the deck, where he summoned
Mercer. He had just notified the first
officer that he was leaving the Kohinur
in his charge, when Della interrupted
in her most agreeable manner. She
addressed the mate.
Il couldn't think Of taking Captain
Phinney away from his duties" she
said sweetly. You were saying this
morning that you wanted to go down.
town. Mr.. Mercer; il you care to ac-
company me. now is your opportunity
of course. with Captain Phinney's
consent" And she gave that discom-
flied individual look from beneath
her lowered lashes that was at once
smiling and enigmatic.
Naturally enough Tom was taken
completely off his guard. as he was ex-
pected to be; but after one involun-
tary start of surprise he rose to the
accepting 1t with apparent
MERGERS pale. dissipated features
glowed with pleasure; 1t had been a
long. long time since any gentle girl
had imposed a confidence In him. He
glanced doubtfully at his skipper.
who was regarding him meaningly.
mfr. Mercer may be depended on
not to lose sight of you." Tom said
pointedly. land he'll see You safely
back to the Kohinur." And he added
to himself: or I'll break his teeth"
Mercer laughed and helped her down
the steps to the launch. Tom watched
1t glide away. black blot in the gold
en- reflection OF the shore lights: he
saw Mercer appear upon the landing.
then stoop down and catch the girls
hands and draw her up beside him.
Next he noticed, that instead OF back
ing out. turning and heading for the