Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-11-19

with the disappearance Ut Schwartz
The Ella waS short handed. | believe
Captain Richardson made an attempt
TO secure me to take the place of
Burns. now moved up into ~Schwartz's
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 t NUT
ter that the devil ship of the Turner
line was at her tricks again.
That afternoon. going intE the fore.
castle for some of my clothing. i found
a curious group. Gathered about tie
table were Tom. the mulatto cook; u
Swede named OIeson. Adams and
Burns Of the crew. At the head Of the
table Charlie Jones was reading the
service for the burial of the dead 1t
sea. The men were standing bare
headed. l took off my cup and stood
just inside the door until the simple
service was over. | was strongly
moved.
Schwartz disappeared in the early
morning Of Aug. 8. And now l come
not without misgiving to the night of
Aug. II. l 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 a 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 a little fear and in the forward
house, where Captain Richardson and
Singleton had their quarters. yelled
hostility and sullen silence.
Aug. II was Tuesday. a hot An
gust day. with only enough air going
to keep our sails filled. At s o'clock
| served afternoon tea. and shortly
after l went to Williams cabin in the
forward house to dress the wound In
his head. a long cut, which was now
healing. I 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 1 knew
he was on the verge Of delirium ire
mems. BE 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
to my quarters in the storeroom until
the after house vas settled. went up
on deck Miss Lee had her arm
through Turner's and was talking to
him. He seemed to be listening tc
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"
Pm not a fooi-or blind"
He lurched down the companionway
and into the cabin. | heard her draw
a long breath: then she turned and
saw me.
rs that you. Leslie?'
Yes. Miss Lee"
She came toward me, the train of bel
soft white gown over her arm and the
light from a lantern setting some jew
els on her neck to glittering.
Mrs. Johns has told me where yot
are sleeping. You are very good to d.
it, although think she is rather alb
surd."
Il am glad to do anything / can"
Il am sure Of that. You u certaiz
you are comfortable there's"
Perfectly"
"Tben-good night And thanK you.
Unexpectedly she put out her hand
and l took it. 1t was the first time
had touched her. and it went to my
head. l bent over her Slim cold finger!
and kissed them She drew her breatI
in sharply in surprise. but as dropped
her hand our eyes met
you should not have done that.
she said coolly. II am sorry"