Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-09-25


and the two sailors vanished with as
tonishing agility.
You see." once more addressing the
girl. Its 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,
II you haven't something to show that
it's all right, you see what f1x you
are placing me in. don't youf"
The girl Strengthened. and Tom
could feel the angry glance that swept
him. He looked helplessly on 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 sign of him.
Captain Phinney"-her tones we're
now biting-"am l to understand that
you will not allow me to go to-go
ashore simply because l haven't
scrap of paper from person who has
no control whatever over my move
meDts? It's too absurd! You are
downright insulting to demand such a
thing when you have my word that It
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. Its highly important
but I'll not trouble to explain.
want to be taken over to the landing
at once"
The unfortunate shippers predica-
ment. as they say In newspapers. can
be better imagined than described"
During a silence that seemed agelong,
his 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 SO
nearly let slip a shaft of heated pro-
family that his tongue was at last
loosened.
Della" he pleaded In desperation.
listen to me a moment. On shipboard
orders are orders. and they are meant
for Just one thing-to be obeyed. The
practice is SO ingrained in every. sea
faring man that he never even thinks
of shirking or compromising. Can't
you at least wait n little bit until Mr..
Willard comes? ! don't doubt but that
1t will be all right"
She was now angry through and
through.
Then why do you stand there talk
ing like a simpleton?'' she fiared at
him. It's not question OF whether
| can or cannot wait-I don't propose
to-"
Della"
She stamped foot.
Don't call me that name!" she
stormed-"don't you dare! detest
IL! Besides. it's rude and impertinent
and ungentlemanly in you to take such
liberty" She moved quickly into
the gangway. IF you won't. | will.
Thank goodness. can run a motor
boati"
Mechanically he reached forth a
hand and caught her arm. And with
the contact 1t was as IL a miracle had
happened for him: his discomposure
left him. and all timidity and irresoiu
tion vanished.
"Delia-don't do this thing: don't force
me into such a trying position. II I
were anybody in whom you are the
leaet bit interested. the last thing you
would expect Of me would be to dis
obey orders"
He had both her hands in his. Sud.
denly she began pulling and tugging
IN furious but vain effort to loosen
his grasp
"You-you wretched. miserable. ir-
ritating creature!"" she cried tearfully.
81 have to go. Can't you get 1t into
your stupid head?"
"Delia-Delia-dont he beseeched
her. quite beside himself once more.
Dear girl. listen to reason"
| Gradually he was drawing her to
him. Then both were stricken mo
tionless and silent.