The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-09-01

thing, but she felt that her face and
neck would be poppy red in another
moment. Thus far she had not adj
dressed a word to Courtenay, though
by his manner he had included her In
the conversation. She now resolved to
break in on the attack which 1sobel
was beginning with the adroitness OF
a skilled campai2ner. And she, too,
could use her eyes to advantage when
she chose.
What a curious library you have,
Captain Courtenay,' she said, looking
not at him, but at a row Of books fit
ting closely into a small case over the
writing table-"Shakespeare, the Pill
grim's Progress Montaigne's essays.
Herbert Spencer, 'Goethe's Life by
Lewes; Marcus Aurelius, Martial,
Wordsworth, The Egoist,' Thoreau.
I[azlitt and 'Mitford's Tales of Old
Japan. Where have 1 heard or read
OF that particular galaxy of stars be-
fore:"
500 on. You are OF the right track
cried Courtenay, setting down the tea-
cup and Fastening to Elsie's side. She
was leaning on the table, reading the
titles Of the books. The motive OF
her exclamation was merged now in
| the fine ardor of the book lover. She
had an unconscious trick of placing the
f%orefingcr of her right hand on her
lips when deeply engaged in thought.
Elegant as Isobel Barring might be in
her studied poses, Elsie need fear no
comparison as she examined the con-
tents of the bookcase with eager at
tcntiOn.
1--WE have actually hit upon a topic
that should prove inexhaustible,' con-
tinued C~ourtenay. Believe me, Miss
Maxwell, that is my pet subject. More
than once, needing a listener, | have
even lectured my long suffering ter
rier, Joey, or the point"
Isobel laughed softly. The two,
| standing in front Of the bookcase,
started apart with a sudden conscious
ness that they were speaking unguard-
edly, for Isobcl's mirth had mockery
i'll it-"there was a laughing devil in
her sheer"
"By the way, where is Joey:' she
asked.
The dog answered her question by
appearing. with a stretch and a yaWn,
from beneath a bunk. He had heard
his name in Courtenay's voice. That
sutIiced for Joey at any time.
You darling. You must have slept
with one y open," said Elsie, stoop-
ing to pat him.
ooh, take care..' cried Isobel. "He
may bite YOU"
Not he. When you see that wistful
look in a dogs eyes, have no fear. He
want to speak then. You won't bite
me, will You, dear:' And Elsie sank
on one knee to stroke Joey's white
coat, whcreupon Joey tried to lick her
face.
"Betwcen the library and the cap
tain'S dog you are installed as a prime
fAvorite on board the Kansas COM
nlentcl Isobel. The other girl rose
'hrrriedly. She had caught the touch
OF malice in the smooth voice.
"Captain Courtenay is too polite to
rcmind us that we are %intruders," she
said lightly. I'VE forget that he is
busy. Joey, candilly canine, did not
try to hide his feelings
lsObcl swung her chair round to face
the door.
"This is quite the best place in the
ship" she said. Il am very comforta-
bic, thank you. Please don't send us
away. captain
Before Courtenay could answer the
officer Of the watch looked in.
"Cape Caraumilla bearing sou'west
of the Ruei rock. sir" he announced
and vanished again.
Don't hurry" said Courtenay, talk
ing up his cap II must leave you for
a few minutes"
lie was gone. with Joey at his heels,
and there was a brief silence.
"Rcally. Isobel, we should 20 back
on deck urged Elsie uneasily. Al
ready she half regretted the impulse
which led her to intervene in her
friends special hobby.
II like that. didn't credit YOU With
such guile, Elsie Maxwell. You snap
up my nice captain beneath my very
nose and coolly propose that l should
vucatc the battlefield. Oh, dear, no!
l can't talk literature, but l al t1irt,
and | have not finished with Arthur
yet by a long chalk"
lsobel leaned back in her chair. She
was i%nsolently conscious of her SUI
pcrior attractions. Was she no the
richest heiress in Valparaiso? Had
not her father chartered this ship?
And vas not Elsie even now flying
from an unwelcome suitor? She knew
full we'll that her friend would resent
the slightest semblance of lovemaking
III the part Of any man Oh board. Al
ready her establishment at Elsie's un-
looked for vivacity was yielding TO
the humor of meeting such a rival.
The count might serve as a foil. but
the real quarry now was the captain.
TI,at worry nioht tharo woJlI no q n,O1n