Charlevoix county herald., 1915-05-29

strength, yet he knew too, that he
could not have used the revolver if
he had it, and his mere possession
of it would never have intimidated a
man like Cornish.
Surely it must be IL now, yet he
had not heard the clang of the ships
bell he was momentarily expecting.
He strained his ears to catch the
slightest sound and pressed his body
close to the door of Cornish's state
room, but it was quiet within and he
could not even hear the Americans
breathing.
/, He could see nothing in the dark
ness but now, somehow, he seemed to
feel the presence of some one near
him. He felt the desire to call and de-
mand to know who was there, but he
thought better of it and remained still,
scarcely daring to breathe least he
should be discovered there. Perhaps
it was Benson, he thought, but if so
why did he not speak?
Suddenly the passageway was food
ed with light, and he found himself
looking into the mischievous eyes of
Adele, who stood not three feet away,
covering him with a big blue steel
revolver that he recognized at a
glance as the one Benson had given
him.
He returned her gaze sheepishly,
and in spite of his chagrin, smiled
back at her. Despite the opinion
many who knew him only casually,
Harcourt had keenly developed
4 sense of humor, and it was only this
which saved him from utter despair
at that moment.
Raising her finger to her lips, Adele
cautioned him to be silent, and in a
whisper told him to follow her. Har-
court hesitated moment and she
beckoned again. Then he followed
her meekly as she led the way down
the passage and paused before his
own cabin.
please go in" she said. 81 am COM
ing too. Is it terribly improper"
He crossed the threshold and
paused as she closed the door behind
her. Questioningly he looked at her,
and saw that she was laughing silent
ly at him. For moment she stood
with her back against the door, her
body shaking with mirth. Then she
put down the revolver and sank down
upon the bed, while he, awkward and
embarrassed stood waiting for her to
speak.
81 say" he began stupidity at last,
whats the joke? ?"
'It's on you, Pm afraid" she said
looking up at him. "I've spoiled your
little mutiny."
"You ?" he asked in establishment.
Her eyes twinkled merrily. Low
ers make poor plotters, Lord Har-
court"
Lovers 2"
She nodded. Benson has fallen in
love with me-" she announced.
."In love with you?"
as that so very wonderful ?"
mo, but"
"You see, Benson is quite young and
romantic" she explained. "He has
long been my most ardent admirer
Tonight he confided his plan to take
me with you in the launch, but the
launch will not go, and / am afraid !
shall never be Mrs. Benson"
"You mean the scoundrel meant to
force you to go with him. Harcourt
cried angrily.
ooh, no indeed. Benson is much too
mild william for that. He told me he
knew Dad would never consent to my
marrying him, and that before he had
always been too poor to ask me, but
he explained that on the money he
would receive from you, we could live
4 fuiSN tOiiiioi 'dply' bcilSHtlui HNtit
plan, wasn't it p"
"The idiotw Harcourt exclaimed
"Why did he"
Surely you did not hope to sue
ceed?" Adele said. Capt. Whitford
has observed your intimacy with Ben
son and he has been watched care
fully. Fortunately for him, however
no intimation of your plans reached
Whitford or Dad, or / am afraid il
would have gone hard with the poor
fellow"
"But why on earth didn't he tell
me"
Because | forbade his communica-
ting with you. wished to catch you
myself and to obtain your promise not
to attempt anything of the sort
again."
81 make no such promise"
"Not even for Grace's sake ?" Adele