Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-19
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
| CHE looked round and smiled Can
! ~ tain Arrol was standing by her. He
was brosd-shouldered, 1.-the, and sinewy
man of three or four and thirty. with
the slightly aquillne features and ex-
tremely clesn-shaven appearance which
one associates rather with the naval
officer than the master Of a 12OO-ton trad
ing steamer
He leaned with his back to the bull
warks and extracted a cigar from the
| pocket OF his REFER coat. 1--WE shall be
IN the Thames before tomorrow morn
ing he remarked thoughtfully. Nc
Closkie Is not sparing the coal tonight
| It's wonderful the speed he gets out Of
those engines, considering they are 20
years old"
He lit his cigar with patent lighter
| Tho girl looked intently at his face
every detail of which she knew a thou
sand times better than he did. Tonight
| she missed the smile which, for all his
habit of command and aggressive chin,
| was generally lowering In his clear grey
eyes or about the upturned corners OF
| his mouth The lines on his forehead
were contracted He had the air Of ono
who has been thinking very seriously.
The stamping of tho engines grew sud-
denly louder; the vessel throbbed and
leaped forward as though redoubling her
| speed Miss Plessey made a gesture OF
impatience and kicked tho side of the
| bulwark with the tip OF her white shoe
| This beast of ship!" she exclaimed
passionately. 1T Is like horse that
scents the stable. Any one would think
we were In a hurry to reach Londonl"
| Some Of us are" remarked the cap
tain. "McCloskie for one"
| Eha gcanned his his Xpara
hxed in keen stare on the faraway
French light. And you." she asked,
ARE you glad7"
'T7 No, don't care for London.
Haven't set foot there for three years"
She turned her head away to hide her
disappointment You don't say that
you are sorry the voyage Is ended?" she
said with a trace OF bitterness. 81
| thought perhaps you might be-"
You called this beast OF a ship Just
now" he reminded her. with a faint up
ward curve Of his lips. but he did not
look at her.
IT know. I'm sorry said that. She's
dear old ship. 1 love her, and I love
every one OF the crew"
Which includes some OF the greatest
rascals who ever went unhung."
THAT may be. But they have been
very decent towards me-all of you have.
shall never forget the dear old Sidi
Will your" She turned her serious blue
| eyes upon him. eager for his reply.
NO" he said quietly. He took the
cigar from his mouth and added. ''It's
been a jolly voyage, thanks to you"
you will miss me. won't you-Just a
lIttle?" she asked with tremulous laugh
He nodded gravely Yes, 1 shall miss
you next trip, a great deal. I'm glad
that you retain such pleasant impressions
of the poor old Sdl and her crew."
She laid her cheek affectionntely
| against the bulwnrk. 'I have been hap
pier in tho ship than have ever been
before in all my life," she said in low
tone.
Captain Arrol glanced quickly at her
and seemed about to speak. But he
checked himself and puffed furlously at
| his cigar.
I'VE have had such jolly talks. you
| and 1, haven't we?" went on Miss Pies
sey. IT never met man who could talk
like you. You remind mo OF othell0-in
that respect only. Of course And the
walks up and down this deck before
breakfast and at this time-oh," she
cried, raising her face and gripping the
side. II wish 1t were to come all over
| again"
She swung round on her heels and. dig
ging her hands into the pockets of her
| long coat, took a step forward, In
/
| toned place beside her. For a few min
utes they paced the deck in silence. Ar
rol gazed almost moodily at tho figures
of the pilot and the first mate silhouetted
above the bridge; his companion looked
straight before her. evidently prey to
violent emotion.
This is our last walk. suppose-on
this deck" she blurted out presently.
There was queer little catch In her
| voice.
well" he said with an attempt at
Iightness, "all holidays must have an
end. I'm sure you will find plenty OF
friends and distractions ashore to make
you forget the poor old ship"
Miss Plessey bit her lips and looked
| down at the man almost angrily She
was nearly an inch taller than he.
i've told you I'm sorry that I'm go
ing home" she said hotly. Il have told
| YOU already that there is no particular
| sympathy between my mother and my
self. My father died when / was years
| old. and l have no brother or sister,"
she added, "but-oh, it's not THAR she
| tossed her shapely head impatiently'
''But l see you don't understand
| You don't really mind losing me at all
| do you?" She tried to speak in mock
| ing strain, but she glanced at him anx-
~ mind very much indeed" he replied
gravely. II think you know that but
| it's no use for me 70 TAX IN thaI sHsli"
II won't make things any easier
The hest OF friends must part.
IT don't see why we should.
II was his turn TO glance up at heF'
sfVhat do you meanT he asked.
She fushed deeply and aveFted her eyes
"Only that / shall see you on shore.
| nres,ime. the next few days, or course
ma every time you call at London,
avVa seldom call at London relofneo
captain Arral shortly. this e the nrst
,t1,s for three years It may be anothsF
threa wears before We call again, J hops
Il VIII BE- as I've said. don't 'hkS Lon
@ob" /" cried the girl, as II she had pesn |
bnFt II see III thought you hkeS ms
tAses rel muttered something under nis
st6 sDon't begin to talk Ike ths9
y piLes4t,,raa her 1T Is hard enough As
q is YOU know Ike you. won 'fus'
n,,.saif 10 say how much. -s..
iASvghv shouldn't youf don hlllu,
- ssid Her eyes were sniahs fsls /
s4.t.s4lv through her unzhee tears,
- .s5 ebo,,Id bs a cad II dia. Chanee
,lsced YOU alone-an nnpFeleeAses $50 s.t.-lt |
R1ss tsIs vsssel Ia my SOLE charge. @hAlsYs4 |
: nav feel about you hasf no EAsAs
| 10 tell you -. IL. rban |
1880 away from him. lt would %
sns l2 sssy Wouidn'f itf' fshe said n |
AaAtAEA 2 : "a Egara never 10