Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-03
cHAPrDR xvII1-CcontlnuedJ.

ARRoL looked wistfully toward the
"A Irish. shore which showed faint and
gray low down on the murky horizon. 81
wish he hadn't BEEN" he said TO himself.
The last time he had paced a deck
like this she had been at his side,
her hand frequently seeking his. Now
where was she? All the way from
London he had been tempted to re-
proach himself with having abandoned
herewith thus leaving England while
still uncertain of her whereabouts and
prospects. Reason told him that since
she had determined to avoid him he could
only asslst her through his friends and
therefore that 1t was better he should not
be on the spot. Richard had promlsed to
cable him at once should the least scrap
OF Information be received concerning her.
Above all. Martin felt instinctvely that
Mauds salvation depended upon the solu-
tion of the mystery of her fathers DEATH
The luncheon bugle aroused Martin from
his meditations The saloon or a Cum
arder certainly bore little enough resem-
blance to the cabin of the Sidi; yet the
retired sailor ate with "A better appetite
and felt more at home than he had done
since he had brought his own ship into
London docks. Lunch over, he adjourned
TO the smoking room and spent the time
so pleasantly yarning with two OF the
ships officers that 1t was 3 o'clock in the
less Gilbert.
The gale was increasing in violence and
not more than half a dozen passengers
kept the deck Martin looked at the sky,
then looked at the sea and frowned. While
this weather lasted there was not much
chance of a conversation with Mrs. Pies
seys friend The cowardly fellow, as he
mentally described him, would be sure 10
avail himself of this excuse to keep his
cabin. No matter. There he lay at his
enemy's mercy.
Martin descended to the lower deck and
tapped at the door of the stateroom.
Come in" said some one in a plaintive
voice.
Martin entered and, switching on the
light, discovered Mr.. Huron in his berth,
comfortably tucked up for the night Be
side him. within reach OF his hand, was
a basket containing a bottle or cham
pagne. patent medicine supposed to be
an infallible cure for sea sickness, a
small flask of eau de Cologne, three
apples and half a dozen dry biscuits.
Martin made an inventory of these things
sThats quite the right treatment" he
observed with mock gravity. "Stlck to
II and this time tomorrow you won't
mind a man smoking a five-cent cigar
under your very nose. I'll sit down II
you don't mind"
lie took a chair and surveyed the pros
trate man with mingled curiosity and
amazement Feel In the mood for a
straight talls2" he inquired quizzlcally.
II never felt less inclined for cOnversa-
ton in my life" replied Huron. gazing
upward with lack-lustre eyes "But as /
can't read or sleep I've no objection 10
listening 10 you. so long as you don't
expect me to answer"
u see That's putting my conversa-
tional powers 10 a rather severe strain,
isn't itY" Martin paused A prudent
man would have realized the disadvan-
tages Of such a one-sided conversation
With an antagonist. But curiosity and
hatred melted him 10 go on talking.
well he resumed, sticking his pipe IN
MS mouth. but not lighting IT, II want
10 tell you what think Of YOU more than
anything else, But that wouldn't be fair
AZ present, as you would probably think
that the only appropriate reply would be
S good one with your left. So we
Hln have a nice friendly chat like good
shlpmates. saw Mrs. Plessey down at
Brighton the other day ] suppose she
Eold you9s
Martin could not be sure whether the
Faint movement of the mans head meant
sasfnt or dissent He continued. .she
4oid nae that yon were aware of the cir-
eunzsances on her late husbands death
end Wefe using your knowledge 10 black
mail her daughtar-mnre precisely TO force
Ser into marrying you in order 10 hush
ap ths stofF ef her fathers infamy Now
sou Sc that nofthole2 With & big enort
believe could just shove and coax
zHsf piumu body of yours Though it,"
Huron snued family ana shook his
H-ad II don't Ihiuk you could he sali
tra will observe perhaps that ! ana
zsnnz ms hama on the bsli-push. This
anEa bell. understand m the
stewards cabin
pIaT d0n alarm yourself Mr Hu-
rda Martin raaaslred him. - doh't con-
z.r9Iaic aIspqslng - you iu that say.
was 94lHe q ask sou whether
n4 sa aae man g apothtr-you