The enterprise., 1915-11-18

II
party on the Belle Helene was
divided into two. or. rather. In
. deed. three camps, each some
what sharply defined and each some
what ignorant Of the others doings 10
detail. The combination OF either two
against the other in organized mutiny
might very well prove successful.
wherefore it was my task to keep all
apart by virtue Of the authority which
l had myself usurped. The midship's
cabin suit of three rooms was occu-
pied by myself and my two bold young
mates when the latter were not else
where engaged. We made what might
be called the ruling classes. Forward
of our cabin and accessible only from
the deck was the engine room, where
Williams worked. and off this were
two hunks. we'll ventilated and very
comfortable, occupied by Williams and
Peterson. Forward Of this, and also
accessible only from the deck. lay the
dining saloon. with its fixed table. its
cupboards. dish racks and wine room
In her bows and below the saloon was
the cooks gallery. dumb waiter run
ming between, and the sleeping quar-
ters Of John. the cook. and Willy, the
deck hand, were in the forecastle be-
low. This left the two captives all the
after part Of the ship pretty much to
themselves. and as the after suit Of
cabins was roomy and fitted with
every modern nautical luxury they
lacked neither freedom nor comfort.
SO far as these may obtain on ship
board. Obviously l said little to the
ships crew. except to Peterson. and
nv two mates had orders to keep to
their own part of the ship, under my
eye.
Thus, like ancient Gaul. divided into
three parts. we sailed on our wholly
indefinite voyage. and all / could do
was to live from day to day or hour
to hour. was content, for Helena
was there. Indeed. question If these
last three years her image had not
been always present in my conscious
ness, such are the fevers OF our unrea-
soning blood, such the power Of that
madness known as love.
But. thus divided as was our COM
pany, had none such excellent op-
portunity for often seeing Helena as
might at first be supposed. She and
her aunt refused to join us at any meal
in the dining saloon. although now and
then they came for breakfast to what
Auntie Lucinda with scorn called the
"second table," 1t was not feasible
for me often to do more than call Of a
morning to inquire If all was we'll with
them, and conversation through lead
glass transom is not what one would
call intimate.
Hardly had we three-Black Bart.
Jean Lafitte and Henri L'Olonnois-
seated ourselves at table for luncheon
before l became sensible of faint
shadow at the saloon stair. saw a
trim boot and substantial ankle,
which knew belonged to Aunt Lu
cinda. and then | looked up and saw
on the deck Helena also. stopped. hel
clean cut head, with its blond hair
visible against the blue sky.
MAY come imp she asked gayly
enough.
you are always invited" said l. an(
perhaps flushed in my pleasure
"John." called down the tube. 1.-TWO
more-the ladies!' And heard his
calm "All lite"
n hod rfc
Iitely, but Helena gently pushed then
down into their places. "Be seated
here, ladies'" said |. "These place.
are. as you see, always spread for you
Your covers wait. And all the ship!
silver shall see duty now. LOlonnois
my hearty, you and shall serve. eh
| am indeed delighted--greatly delight
ed. shall not inquire: l shall OIL.
hope.'
''Well," doomed the deep voice 0
Auntie Lucinda, 1--WE came because W
did not like the look Of things"
''To be sure. things are not lookin
bully" assented vaguely.
II mean the weather. It's gettin
black. and it's colder"
''lt is fortunate that you honore
US. my dear Mrs. Daniver," said
"for l have here in the cooler bottl
of ninety-three. had an inspiration
knew you would come, for nothing i
the world could have pleased me 8
much"
l was looking at Helena. whose eye
were cast down. | observed now tina
she was in somewhat elegant mornin
costume. her bridge coat of Vienn
lace. caught with wide bar of plat
gold. covering some soft and simmer
ing underbodice which fitted closel
enough to be formal And | saw sn
had on many rings. and her throa
sparkled under circlet OF gems.
She must have caught my glance {
surprise, for sae said nervously: "Yo
think we are overplaying our retur
, call? Well, the truth is we're afraid
$50 then?" and l bowed
$50 then 1 fshed out all my jeweiry
~