The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-07-30

tone: Beat it," and the first officer
tonishing agility.
You see," nee 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.
If you haven't something to show that
it's all right. you see what a fix you
are placing me in, don't you?"
The girl Strengthened, and Tom
could feel the angry glance that swept
him. He looked helplessly off 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
10 sign of him.
Captain Phinney"-her tones were
now biting-"am | to understand that
you will not allow me to 60 TOGO
ashore simply because | haven't a
scrap of paper from a person who has
no control whatever over my owe
ments? It's too absurd! You are
downright insulting to demand such a
thing when you have my word that il
is perfectly proper for me to CO."
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. l
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 hat seemed age-long,
his mind remained an utter blank; he
was sensible of a numbness stealing
over him, and of a most outlandish de.
sire to wea To tell the truth, he so
nearly let slip a shaft of heated pro-
family that his tongue was at last
l%oosened.
Della" he pleaded in desperation.
listen to me a moment. On shipboard
orders are orders, and they are meant
for just n thing-to be obeyed. The
practice is so %ingrained in every sea-
faring man hat he never even thinks
of Sinking or compromising. Can't
you at least wait a little bit until Mr..
Willard comes? don't doubt but that
it will be all right"
She was now angry through and
through.
Then why do you stand there talk.
ing like u simpleton?" she flared at
him. Its not a question of whether
| can or cannot wait-I don't propose
to-"
Della"
She stamped a foot.
Don't call me that name!" she
stormed-"don't you dare! detest
it! Besides, it's rude and impairment
and ungentiemanly in you to take such
a liberty" She moved quickly into
the gangway. IF you won't, I will.
Thank goodness. l can run a motor.
boat!"
Mechanically he reached forth a
hand and caught her arm. And with
the COUtdCl IL was as III Il miracle mao
happened for him; his discomposure
left him. and all timidity and ir~resolu.
ton vanished.
Dear girl" he said ~unsteadily-
"Delia-don't do this thing: don't force
me into such a trying position. II
were anybody in whom you are the
least 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 a furious but vain effort to loosen
his grasp.
"You-you wretched, miserable. ir
ritating c%reature!" she cried tearfully
Il have to go. Can't you get it into
your stupid head?"
Observation-Disclosures" 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
t~ionless and silent.