Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-02
CHAPTER xxIi1-tcontinued)


MY CLOTHING. dried and pressed, was
lNl swaylng from convenient hook. BY
degrees 1 managed to dislodge Il without
rising to do so, and---I can scarcely imagine
how--thrust my legs into my trousers,
dragged a shirt over my head and got
coat upon my shoulders.
h. BY good chance the door was not Sc
cured. I opened It and stepped out into
the darkness Of the yachts main saloon.
number of chairs lounges and tables OBJ
structed my way, yet had fairly good
idea of where the electric switch should
be; and. finally finding IT, lighted up the
saloon
It was quite deserted and in great dis
order-something which however, did not
concern me greatly. What did prove of
surprising interest was buffet against
the forward partition, whereon stood a
bottle, open.
1 staggered to 1t and discovered It to
be half-empted magnum of champagne
plate of crackers stood near by. I filled
n tumbler with the generous fluid and
downed 1t at a draught: 1t ran like fire in
my veins Munching the hard crackers, 1
finished the bottle, conscious OF such an
immediate renewal of strength that I
promptly searched for found and opened a
second bottle-a pint this time. In ten
minutes or so. during all of which time
not a soul had entered the cabin, I had
strength to make me feei like a new man
a strong man, self-dependable, fit to cope
with any emergency.
Abruptly l started, possessed by the
idea that / must 60 on deck. search
out Won Holzborn or De Netze, find for
myself the truth concerning the man [ loved
with a love passing that of women.
A lurch of the yacht almost threw me
to the floor. grasped the table to steady
myself; and-at that moment a door opened
on the side of the saloon opposite the room
wherein / had rested and a woman came
out
At the sight of me she stopped with a
little cry. holding herself as rigid and still
as though turned to stone. glad light
famed in her eyes, then flickered and died;
her color faded she became of deathly
pallor, and there was terror, suddenly, in
her eyes where there had been joy.
"Gordon" she breathed.
had started toward her, with arms out
stretched; and so, 1 stopped wordless and
amazed.
Still she seemed to fear me. She took
n faltering step backward. her hands clasped
upon her bosom, her lips moving without
sound. Her beauty struck me
anew, with tremendous force; 1t was un-
earthly, incomprehensible, marvellous.
Sweetheart, sweetheart" I pleaded.
"Dont"-my voice broke-"dont you know
me--Gordon?"
'Gordon!" she cried again incredulously.
And then, before 1 realized It, she had
come to me, and lay in my arms, her dear
head upon my shoulder, her pallid cheeks
to mine her tremulous scarlet lips
Dearest. oh, my dearest :" she whispered.
Il did not know, 1 did not know ="
And, after a little tme They did not
tell me-they did not let me know" she
answered my question. "All the evening
they kept me locked In my stateroom, with
only Mrs. Morchester for company. 1 knew
moi Of fxtyha Eos y
piece of canvas over the porthole. and we
could not see. Only I could hear the
thunder of the guns, and guessed-no. knew
that you were in peril, OH my heart Tell
me - she begged pteously.
Haltingly-for at such times no man can
speak connectedly-I outlined the story,
while she shuddered and sobbed in my arms
and held me all the closer to her, for that
L had ventured so near the lip of the
unknown for her dear sake.
Which was reward far greater than
deserved, God knows
A heavy tread sounded on the companion
way; some one was descending from the
deck. Quickly released my Hearts De-
sire, and as quickly she slipped away 4;
but not swiftly enough TO escape tho notice
of the intruder.
He paused on the lower step, his dark
face immobile, his quick, furtive glance
travelling from one to the other of u.s. At
first his brows contracted, clouded scowl
gathered about them; then, as we waited
his opening words in silence-my sweet
heart shrinking. with some trepdation.
must admit-his face cleared. But still
without opening his lips he bent upon us
that inscrutable, somber glance, penetrating
and battling.
The silence, prolonged grew uncomfortable
looked to my Hearts Desire, and saw that
she was trembling violently; her hands at
her sides--One gripping a tables edge
worked convulsively; and l saw, too, that |
she was fast losing her self-control, totter-
ing on the verge of hysteria.
We'll, sir?" asked as calmly as could. |
He made no response beyond an audible |
chuclle; but, strldlng across to the center |
table OF the saloon, he sat himself down |
heavily without once removing his eyes
from me, believed him a bit afraid of me, |
and that belief was as the wine had been to |
me, affording me strength and self-reliance. |