Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1915-06-24
CHAPTER x-Continued.

Warrington turned the key, and a
deluge Of cold water struck Craig
full in the chest. He tried to sit up.
but was knocked fiat. Then he rolled
over on the deck, choking and sput-
tering He crawled on his hands and
knees until he reached the chair-rail.
which he clutched desperately, draw
ing himself up. The pitiless stream
never swerveC. 1t smacked against
the fiat of his back like the impact of
q hand
For Gods sake stop it," cried
Craig, half strangled.
"Will you go below?"
Eyes, yes! Turn it away!' sober
enough by now.
Warrington switched off the key,
his face humorless, though there was
a sparkle of grim humor in his Sleep
hungry eyes. Craig leaned against the
deckhouse, shaking and painting.
81 would l could get at your soul as
easily" Warrington threw aside the
hose, and the Lascars sprang upon it,
not knowing what the big blond sahib
might do next.
Craig turned, venom on his tongue.
He spoke phrase. In an instant, cold
with fury, Warrington had him by
the throat.
"You low base curl" he said, shak-
ing the man until he resembled a man.
ikin on wires. Had you been sober
last night, I'd have thrown you into
the sea- Honorless dog! You wrote
to Miss Chetwood. You insulted her,
too. If you wish to die, speak to her
again"
Craig struggled fiercely to free him
self. He wasn't sure, by the look of
the other mans eyes, that he wasn't
going to be killed then and there.
There was something cave-mannish
and cruel in the way Warrington wor-
ried the man, shaking him from side
to side and forcing him along the deck.
Suddenly he released his hold, adding
a buffet on the side of the head that
sent Craig Keeling and sobbing into
the companionway.
Here, I say, what's the row."
Warrington looked over his Shout
der. The call had come from the first
officer.
"a case of drunkenness" coolly.
But say, we can't have brawling
on deck, sir. You ought to know that
If the mans conduct was out of order.
you should have brought your COM
plant before the captain or me. We
really can't have any rowing, SIR"
Warrington replied gravely: "Ex-
pediency was quite necessary"
whats this" The officer espied
the soaked bedding. who turned the
hose here?"
81 did," answered Warrington.
II shall have to report that to the
captain, sir. It's against the rules
aboard this steamship for passengers
to touch anything of that sort" The
officer turned and began violently to
abuse the bewildered Lascars.
Warrington entered the companion
way; and moment later he heard the
water hiss along the deck. He was
not in the least sorry for what he had
done; still, he regretted the act Craig
was a beast, anu there was no know
ing what he might do or say. Still
dressed, he flung himself in his bunk,
and Immediately fell into a heavy
dreamless sleep that endured until
luncheon.
Shortly after luncheon he was sum-
moned to the captains cabin. War
rington presented himself, mildly Gu
rious. The car tain nodded to a stool.
est down, Mr.. Warrington. VIII you
have a cheroot?"
Eyes, thanks"
A crackle of matches followed.
This fellow Craig has complained
about his treatment by you this morn
ing. fancy you were rather rough
with him"
Perhaps. He was very drunk and
abusive, and he needed cold water
more than anything else. once knew
the man."
"Ah! But it never pays to manhan-
die that particular brand of tippler.
They always retaliate in some way"
Il suppose he has given you an ex-
cerpt from my history?"
He saw you cannot return to tho
Etates."