The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-04-30

At which they were all the more
curious and eager, concluding that
Tom himself was in some way in
volved-or, at least, that he really
possessed some inside information.
This drew an explosion.
Il don't know a d thing about
it," Tom shouted, beating the air
with his hands. 81 saw a lot of fell
lows going into the house, and a WON
an Confound you chaps! Why
can't you let a fellow alone when he
wants to think by himself"
"A woman" he was quickly taken
up by both. who was she?"
But Tom relapsed into an obstinate
silence. He was angry and morose,
and his two friends left him in a hun,
calling him impolite names and guy
ing him for expressing a desire 10
put his mental processes through an
unaccustomed exercise. This made
him gloomier still. And when he re-
ieCted that, after all, he had men
toned the mysterious woman in the
taxi, his depression became acute.
He drove the balls around a de-
serted table with vicious jabs OF his
cue, the while he too bewailed the
fate that kept him away from the
Carterets' yacht. For he could not
| think Of availing himself OF this
pleasure unless Ruddy were along
Toms income did not permit of his
owning yachts or m~Otor-cars; but
what he did not know about them
was not worth anybody's time trying
to find out.
He was thus reminded OF a catboat
over at Rocky Cove, belonging 70 q
friend who was in Europe. and which
he could use whenever he wanted to
He threw down his cue. hunted W
a timetable, then fastened home TO
toss a battered but wonderfully com,
Portable negligee outfit into a bag
and HE himself over to Long Island
AS he passed through the lOungiug
room-it is worth recOrding-Van
Vechten was %brooding in his corner
and so did not see him. Tom sur
veyed him a second or so, then con
CluuluS lid HS udu DSliti lIOl Eca
in upon his cogitations, FASTENED
away.
While it was yet daylight, Ton
found the sail where it was stored II
his friends ~bOathouse, shipped th'
single mast and rugged it UP, ther
went up into town after a box Of pro
visions. He meant TO cruise arounC
the Sound for a day or two, thus Civ
ing Ruddy plenty Of time to think
and perhaps learn something definite
about his Cousin Paige's movement
into the bargain; afterwards the.
might find time to join the Carterets
He was profoundly Disguised that
girls caprice was depriving him an,
Ruddy of a jolly good time.
That night, after a couple of pipes
he went to sleep in his little craft
cabin, and before daylight he wa
astir and taking advantage of a ligh
off-shore breeze. All day he loafe
around the lower Sound, enioy!n
himself immensely and incidental
emptying the provision locker to tn
last crumb. He viewed this circun
stance with a rueful laugh.
Moses and green spectacles! An
| thought | was laying in supple
for a weeks cruise!"
Then he laughed again-light-hesr
eddy this time-and trimmed about fo
home.
Dusk was falling when he drifte
close in toward Rocky Cove. He wa
possibly two miles off shore whe
he heard the muffled exhaust an
warning pipe OF a motor-boa.. An
here is where his adventure may b
said to have begun.
CHANGING back, he made out tn
craft bearing down upon him under
smother of spray of her kicktn
up. She swept by so close TO POI
that, despite the half-light, he We
afforded a distinct view OF several I
the boats occupants.
CTO BE CONTINUEDD