The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-04-24

still wearing her hat. She knew moth
ing OF the seriousness Of Calls in
juries, and Tom considered it unnec-
essary to tell her.
"Since the excitement has passed
without tragedy" she said, her man
ner and utterance extremely formal,
there is no reason why / shouldn't
proceed with my errand-unless l am
a prisoner"
please don't talk that way" he
protested, hurt to the quick by her
tone. you are not a prisoner. And
you can't be 80 unreasonable as to
blame me for doing my duty. Even
now the launch is fetching Mr.. Willard
off; he'll be on board in a minute"
She colored. In spite of her out
ragged feelings, she could not deny that
this big, laundering, stupid. simple
hearted mantle adjectives are all
her own-affected her in a way that
filled her soul with an extraordinary
commingling of gladness and terror.
| She was stirred by the strangest dis
| cord of emotions-a Joy that was in
comprehensive, and powerful some
thing within her that instinctively rose
| up and strove nightly to drive 1t
forth. She looked wonderingly upon
the man who had wrought this mir
acle; then an imp Of perversity seized
her, and she wanted more than any
thing else to punish him-wound him
make him smart and writhe.
Tom stood watching her with look
of grave concern.
Surely" he said presently, you are
not thinking of going downtown alone
at this time of night? 1t is past eight
o'clock"
She turned upon him pettishly.
Captain Phinney, do your RESPONSE
bilities as master of the Kohinur ex-
tend beyond the length Of her anchor
hawser? l am not entirely helpless;
II necessary l can appeal to Mr.. Will
lard"
He WINGED. And at this moment Will
lard entered the cabin. His mien was
anxious and troubled.
What's this about Callis?" he de-
manded. Manifestly he had received
some sort of account Of the occurrence
on the way 10 the yacht
Tom briefly told him and, to avoid
further agitating the girl, suggested
that he see Mr.. Hewitt at once.
Before you do" he added, II would
like to know whether the order about
going and coming includes this young
LADY,"
Willard brushed back the strayed
lock of white hair with the same tired
gesture that Tom had witnessed be-
fore. He sighed profoundly.
NO." he said, lit does not. made
no exceptions because | wanted to
avoid explanations. Calls is the only
one of my party at whom the order
was particularly aimed Lord!
What source of anxiety he has been I!
The other three men will
cause you no trouble on that score |;
they understand that they are to re-
main on the yacht. OF course no
stranger is to be permitted to come
aboard"
Thank you, sir" returned Tom,
stiffly. II wish l had known this;
can follow orders only as l receive
them"
He faced the silent girl with a chal
longing look. Willard was leaving
them-he disappeared. And she had
not appealed to him.
81 will order the launch" he said
quietly.
Without a word she preceded him
up to the deck, where he summoned
| 10 he
officer that he was leaving the Kohinul
in his charge, when Della interrupted
in her most agreeable manner. She
addressed the mate.
81 couldn't think of taxing Captain
Phinney away from his duties" she
said sweetly. "You were saying this
morning that you wanted 10 go down
town. Mr. Mercer; If you care to &C
company me, now is your opportunity
of course, with Captain Phinney's
consent" And she gave that discom
flied individual a look from beneath
her lowered lashes that was at once
smiling and enigmatic.
Naturally enough Tom was taker
completely off his guard, as he was ex
pected to be; but after one involun
tary start of surprise he rose to the
occasion. accepting it with apparen,
equanimity.
MERGERS pale, dissipated featured
glowed with pleasure; 1t had been q
long, long time since any gentle cir
had imposed confidence in him. He
glanced doubtfully at his skipper
who was regarding him meaningly.
"Mr. Mercer may be depended or
not to lose sight of YOU" Tom sale
pointedly, land he'll see you safely
back to the Kohinur." And he added
to himself: or I'll break his teeth
Mercer laughed and helped her dowr
the steps to the launch. Tom watched
it glide away, black blot in the gold
en- reflection of the shore lights; hi
saw Mercer appear upon the landing
then stoop down end catch the girls
hands and draw her up beside him
Next he noticed, that instead Of back
ing out turning and heading for the