The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-03-05
CHAPTER VIl-Continued.


That there was real danger in her
interest in Warrington did not occur to
her. The fact that she was now will
ing to marry Arthur, without analyz
ing the causes that had brought her
to this decision, should have warned
her that she was dimly afraid OF the
stranger. Her glance fell upon the
mandarin's ring. She twirled 1t round
undecidedly. Should she wear 1t or
put it away? The question remained
suspended. She saw Craig coming
aboard; and she hid her face behind
her magazine. Upon second thought
she let the magazine fall. She was
quite confident that that chapter was
closed. Craig might be scoundrel
but he was no fool.
A sharp blast from the tenders
whistle drew her attention to the
gangplank. The last man to come
aboard was Warrington. He immedi
ately sought James; and they stood
together chatting until the tender drew
up alongside the steamer of the Brit
ish-India line. The two men shook
hands finally, Warrington added q
friendly tap on the Eurasian's shout
der. No one would have suspected
that the white man and his dark com
panion had been "shipmates," in good
times and in bad, for nearly decade
Elsa. watching them from her secure
nook, admired the lack OF effusiveness
The dignity of the parting told her OF
the depth of feeling.
An hour later they were heading for
the delta.
Elsa amused herself by casting bits
of bread to the gulls. Always they
caught it on the wing, no matter In
what direction she threw it, Some
times one would wing up to her very
hand for charity, its coral feet
stretched out to meet the quick back
play of the wings, it's cry shallow and
plaintive and world-lonely.
Suddenly she became aware of 9
presence at her side.
A voice said; 1T was not quite
fair of you"
What wasnt?" without turning hel
head. She brushed her hands free oil
the crumbs.
You should have let me know thai
you were going to sail on this boat"
You would have run away, then"
''Why?" startled at her insight.
Because you are little afraid o.
me-" She faced him, without smile
either on her lips or in her eyes
Aren't your"
Yes. l am afraid of all things l de
not quite understand"
There is not the least need in the
world, Mr.. Warrington. l am quite
harmless. My claws have been clipped
| am engaged to be married, and an
going home to decide the day."
He's a lucky man." He was aston
ished at his calm. for the blow wen
deep.
Lucky? That is in the future. VIVA
a lonely thing a gull Isl"
What lonely thing lonely mar
isl" he added. Poor fool! To hav,
dreamed SO fair a dream for a singl,
moment! He tried to believe that h,
was glad that she had told him abou
the other man. The least this infor
nation could do would be to give hin
better control of himself. He had no
been out in the open long enough en-
tirely to master his feelings.
Men ought not to be lonely" sh,
said. There's the excitement o
work, Of mingling with crowds, of 60
ing when and where one pleases
woman's lot is wondering and wait
ing at home. When l marry l sup
pose that shall learn the truth o
that"
Perhaps it was because he had beer
away from them so long and had los
track of the moods of the feminin,
mind; but surely 1t could not be pos
sible that there was real happiness IL
this young woman's heart. Its evil
dence was lacking in her voice, In he
face, in her gestures. He thought !
girl, sorry for the man; for 1t was no
possible that girl like this one woul,
go through life without experiencin,
that flash of insanity that is called tn,
grand passion.
He loved her. He could lean agains
the rail. his shoulder lightly touching
hers, and calmly say to himself tina
he loved her. He could calmly pei
NIT her to pass out of his life as
cloud passes down the sea-rim. n
hadn't enough. but this evil must DC
fall him. Love! He spread out hi
Ina lds unconsciously.
What does that mean?" she asked
smiling now. AN invocation"