Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1914-07-23
CHAPTER VI.
The Man If Iron Speaks.

request, with its unmistakable import
of deper jence on him in her moment
of need, thrilled every fiber of Toms
being. He swept her up into his arms
as easily as if she had beer a little
child, and as tenderly.
Get Molly" he CURLY ordered Mer-
GER, then started with her to her room.
Her eyes were closed, the long dark
lashes lay upon her cheeks. and the
lovely face wore a pinched look.
"Delia-sweetheart," he muttered-
'if could only take your trouble up
on myself" =
The lids fiuttered weariedly, and she
looked up at him with a wan little
smile.
You can't. Tom" he heard her
whisper.
After seeing her safely in Molly's
care, and being assured that the other
ladies were notified, he went back to
his first officer, convinced that either
an explanation was due him from Mer-
Ger, or else he owed Mercer an apol-
ogy. But the latter bore no grudge for
Toms involuntary outburst. "She was
phoning somebody" he said. and
learned something that knocked her
all of heap" He recounted all that
had happened, and wound up by saw
ing:
There's whole lot more mystery
about this little old boat than | like.
what do you make Of it all, anyway"
Nothing" Tom curtly replied. "And
I'm getting pretty tired of It myself.
Old Willard doesn't want to send for
a doctor to look at Calls. The fellow
hasn't come around yet. Willard
claims to be something of a doctor
himself, and that nothing serious ia
The matter. Well. the blame's all his
the chap dies"
Hope he does" was MERGERS un.
Keeling comment. He handed me an
awful wallop."
Some time after midnight. Molly
came 10 him in the chart-house with a
nessa5e that relieved his disquiet
Said Molly:
MISS Della wants me to tell YOU
that she's all right now, and she hopes
she hasn't caused you any anxiety"
Before breakfast next morning
Thursday-he saw her, dressed for the
street In the same becoming blue
gown she had worn the previous night
Her face was drawn and pale and he,
eyes held a troubled look, as il she
had passed a sleepless night. Never
theless she smiled as she greeted him
am afraid l must cause more
bother" she said. Il am Obliged posi
lively to go downtown this morning
l got no farther than the Claremoni
last night, you know"
Before breakfast" exclaimed Tom
YES" with quiet gravity. 81 mn 90
ing with Miss willard"
Miss Willard! Then one of the 9th
er ladies' was old Wizards daughter
Jessie, doubtless.
Della" he said after a moment. cdr
you care II l go with you this morn
mgr" -
Sne colored family and dropped he,
gaze, but her gravity did not change.
l snail be very glad to have you &c
over IN the launch with US and get u,
cab-if such things are procurable
30 far from town. But I'm sorry tn.
errano Is OF q private nature-I abho,
mystery and secrecy-but it is no
mine"
i don't want to intrude," he hest
lated. She flashed a sly look at him
Little good it does me to object ,
she said-"Heres Jessie"
A stateroom door opened to disc,os.
girl who, If she was not so beautifu
as Della, Tom was Obliged to adm,
that she came very near being so
Hers was contrasting type: blac,
nair and eyes, but a clear Complexion
and she was as tastefully and becom
ingly gowned, though in light Rrav. q,
the other girl.
she acknowledged Toms introduc
ton SO absently that he received tn,
impression that her mind was set unor
something afar on and that abe wa,
nercely impatient of the interven,n,
distance. She seemed to move IN .
sort OF stony Despair that would crust
her down presently IL she could ma
md relief.