United labor bulletin., 1914-03-21

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 1 shouldn't
proceed with my errand-unless | am
prisoner"
Please don't talk that way" he
protested. hurt to the quick by her
tone. You are not prisoner. And
you can't be SO unreasonable as to
blame me for doing my duty. Even
now the launch is fetching Mr.. Willard
on: he'll be on board in a minute"
She colored. In spite of her out
ragged feelings. she could not deny that
this big. blundering. stupid. simple
hearted mantle adjectives are all
her own-affected her In a way that
hlled 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 a powerful some
thing within her that instinctively rose
up and strove nightly to drive II
forth. She looked wonderingly upon
the man who had wrought this mir
acle. then an imp OF peryersity 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 a look
of grave concern.
Surely" he said presently. you are
not thinking of going downtown alone
at this time OF night7 1t il past eight
o'clock"
She turned upon him pettishly.
Captain Phinney. do your responsi-
bilities as master of the Kohinur eI-
tend beyond the length OF her anchor
hawser? am not entirely helpless:
II necessary ] can appeal 10 Mr.. VII
lard"
He WINGED. And at this moment Will
lard entered the cabin. His mien was
anxious and troubled
What's this about CallIsf" he de
manded. Manifestly be had received
some sort OF account OF the occurrence
on the way to the yacht
Tom briefly told him and. to avoid
further agitatiug the girl suggested
that he see Mr Hewitt at once
Before you do" he added. = would
like 10 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. 1T 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 Lordl
What a source OF anxiety he has beeni
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.
stifiy. Il wish | had known this;
can follow orders only as receive
them"
He faced the silent girl with a chaI.
lenging look. Willard was leaving
them-he disappeared And she had
not appealed to him.
u will order the launch" he said
quietly.
Without n word she preceded him
up to the deck. where he summoned
Mercer. He had just notified the first
officer that he was leaving the Kohinur
in his charge. when Della Interrupted
in her most agreeable manner She
addressed the mate.
Il couldn't think OF taking Captain
Phinney away from his duties" she
said sweetly. You were saying this
morning that you wanted to 20 down
town. Mr.. Mercer: II you care to ac-
company me, now Ia your opportunity
OF course with Captain Phinney's
consent" And she gave that diecom-
Ned individual a look from beneath
her lowered iashes that was at once
smiling and enigmatic.
Naturally enough Tom was taken
completely OF 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 apparent
equanimity.
MERGERS pale. dissipated features
glowed with pleasure; II had been
long. long time since any gentle girl
had imposed a confidence in him. He
glanced doubtfully at his skipper.
who WAS regarding him meaningly.
mfr. Mercer may be depended on
not TO lose sight of you" Tom said
pointedly. "and 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 down
the steps TO the launch. Tom watched
II glide away. II black blot In the gold
en- reflection OF the shore lights: he
saw Mercer appear upon the landing.
then stoop down and catch the girls
hands and draw her up beside him.
Next he noticed. that instead of back
ing out. turning and heading for the