The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-10-07


tend ordering some new ones. The
ships cook. John. will soon be here
with tea. These events may have been
wearying. Meantime allow me to pre-
sent my friend Partial"
Partial certainly understood human
speech. He now approached Helena
slowly and stood looking up into her
face in alteration. Then. without any
command. he lay down deliberately
and rolled over. sat up, parked. and
SO. having done all his repertory for
her whom he nOw-as had his master
before him-loved at first sight, he
stood again and worshiped.
mice doggie!" said Helena courte-
ously.
"Have care, Helena!' said l. Love
my dog. love me. And all the world
loves Partial"
The color heightened in her cheeks.
1 had never spoken so boldly to her
before. but had rather dealt in argu-
ment than in assertion. which l, later,
was to learn is no way to make love
to any woman.
"When do we get back to Natchez?"
she demanded.
I'VE do not get back to Natchez."
"Oh! Then suppose Mr.. Davidson
picks us up at Baton Rouge?"
lyon varlet," said l, ''does not pick
us up at Baton Rouge"
New OrleansY
"Or at New Orleans-unless he is
luckier than l ever knew even Cal
to be-"
"Whatever do you mean?'' inquired
Aunt Lucinda in tones ominously deep.
'That the Belle Helene is much
faster than the tug we left behind at
Natchez. even did he find it. He will
have hard work to catch u.s."
ITO catch us?''
Eyes. Helena. to catch us. OF course
he'll follow in some way. l have. all
the way from above Dubuque. Why
should not hep
The ladies looked from me to each
other. doubling my sanity. perhaps.
II don't just understand all this"
began Helena. But since we travel
only as we like. and only with guests
whom we invite or who are invited
by the boats owner. shall ask you
to put us ashore"
ION a sand bar aflena' Among the
town."
'"There ia NOM where we are going.
my dear Miss Emory. Little do you
know what lies before you! Black
Bart heads for the open sea. Let yon
varlet follow at his peril. Believe me.
twill cost him very considerable
amount of gasoline"
'|What right have you on this boat?"
she demanded fiercely.
'"The right of any pirate"
why do you intrude-how dare you
at least, don't underestimate
II have taken this ship, Helena"
said l, ''because it carries treasure
more than you know of. more than
dreamed. My father was pirate, l am
we'll assured by the public prints. So
am l. TITS in the blood. But do not
anger me- Rather have a cup of tea"
John, my cook, was now at the door
with the tray.
'"Thank you" rejoined Helena icily.
1T would hardly be courteous to Mr..
Davidson to use his servants and his
table in this way in his absence. Be-
Sides
Besides, recalled that your Aunt
Lucinda's neuralgia is always benefited
by a glass or so of ninety-three at
about 1890 Of the evening. John!'
"Lessah!"
''Go to the left hand locker in B and
bring me bottle of the ninety-three.
this absurd champagne which l see
yon varlet has been Offering you, my
dear Mrs. Daniver. But-excuse me-
Helena looked up innocently.
"a moment before there were six
empty bottles ON the table there. And
l saw you writing. How many have
you thrown overheard through the
porthole?"
II didn't know you were so observ-
ant" replied Helena demurely. "But
only three
ut is not enough said l. "Go on
and write your other messages for sue
cor Use each bottle, and we shall have
more emptied for you If you like. You
shall have oil bottles, vinegar bottles.
water bottles, wine bottles. all you like.
Yon varlet might run across one float
ing, it is true. hope he will. Me-
thinks 'twould bid him speed. But all
in vain would be your appeal, for swift
must be the craft that can come up
with Black Bart now. And desperate
indeed must be the man who would
dispute his right to tread these decks -
II hope you are enjoying yourself"
said Helena scornfully. Don't be
silly"
"Will you have tea, Helena p I asked.
"Poor, dear Mr.. Davidson! shifted
Aunt Lucinda. taking a glance out of
the port into the black night II Won
dos hon h. To-.