The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-19
THE AFTER HOUSE
Story Of Love. Mystery and Private Yacht
BY MARY ROBERTS RINEHART
Csryr.eAt. 1913. ), hhs Mcclure PuSEeoisn Isx.
Cspyyuhf, 1914. BY Mary RsiNrn RisekSrt
AIRY ROBERTS RINEHART

second mate. went overboard-went
without Il cry. without sound.
Singleton. relieving him at 4 o'clock,
found his cap lying near starboard,
Just forward or the after house. The
helmsman and the two men in the
lookout reported no sound of strug-
gle. The lookout had seen the light of
his cigar ON the forecastle head at six
bells g o'clock. At seven bells he had
walked back to the helmsman and COM
mented cheerfully ON the break in the
weather. That was the last seen of
him.
With the disappearance of Schwartz
the Ella was short banded. believe
Captain Richardson made an attempt
to secure me to take the place of
Burns. now moved up into Schwartzs
position. But the attempt met with a
surly refusal from Turner
The crew was plainly nervous and
irritable. Sailors are simple minded
men, as a rule. Their mental process
es are elemental. They began to NUT
ter that the devil ship of the Turner
line was at her tricks again.
That afternoon. going into the fore
castle for some of my clothing. found
:: curious group. Gathered about the
table were Tom. the mulatto cook;
Swede named Oleson. Adams and
Burns OF the crew. At the head of the
table Charlie Jones was reading the
service for the burial of the dead at
sea. The men were standing bare
headed. | took off my cap and stood
just inside the door until the simple
service was over. 1 was strongly
moved
Schwartz disappeared in the early
morning of Aug. 8. And now | come
not without misgiving to the night of
,, Aug. II. | am wondering if. after all,
l have made clear the picture that is
before my eyes-the languid cruise.
the slight relaxation of discipline due
to the leisure of pleasure voyage. the
Ella again rolling gently, with hardly
a dash of spray to show that she was
moving; the sun beating down on her
white decks and white canvas, on the
three women in summer attire. on un-
ending bridge, with its accompaniment
of tall glasses filled with ice: on Tur-
ner's morose face and Wallis watchful
| one; in the forecastle much gossip and
not little fear and in the forward
house. where Captain Richardson and
Singleton had their quarters. yelled
hostility and sullen silence.
Aug. IL was Tuesday. hot Au-
gust day, with only enough air going
to keep our sails filed At ) o'clock
| served afternoon tea. and shortly
after | went TO Williams cabin in the
forward house to dress the wound in
his head, a long cut. which was now
healing. | passed the captains cabin
and heard him quarreling with the first
, mate. who was replying now and then.
sullenly. Only the tones of their voices
reached me-
Beyond that the day was much as
other days. Turner ate no dinner that
night. He was pale and twitching.
Even with my small experience knew
he was on the verge of delirium tre-
| mems. He did not play cards and spent
much OF the evening wandering rest
lessly about the deck. Mrs. Turner re-
tired early. Mrs. Johns played accom-.
paniments for Vail to sing to. in the
chart room. until something after II.
when they. too went to their rooms.
1t being impracticable for me to go
10 my quarters in the storeroom until
The after house was settled. went I'D
on deck. Miss Lee had her arm
through Turner's and was talking to
him. He seemed to be listening to
her. but at last he stopped and freed
his arm. not urgently.
That all sounds very well. Elsa" he
said. but you don't know what you
are talking about"
Il know this
I'm not a fool-or blind"
He lurched down the companionway
and into the cabin. | heard her draw
long breath; then she turned and
saw me.
rs that you, Leslie?"
Yes. Miss Lee"
She came toward me. the train OF her
soft white gown over her arm and the
light from lantern setting some jew
els on her neck to gittering
"Mrs. Johns has told me where you
are sleeping. You are very good to do
it. although 7 think she is rather alb
surd''
Il am glad to do anything can"
Il am sure of that. You are certain
you are comfortable there?"
Perfectly"
"Then-gOod night. And thank you"
Unexpectedly she put out her hand.
and | took it. 1t was the first time |
had touched her. and it went to my
head. | bent over her slim cold fingers
and kissed them. She drew her breath
in sharply in surprise. but as dropped
her hand our eyes met
You should not have done that"
4. n