The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-10-06

ed up on the table beside Elsie
and looked at her as though he
would ask why she had permitted this
sacrilege.
Though the dog was apparently I'M
scathed and in the best condition,
his head and fore paws were blood
stained. His advent dispelled the mist
which was gathering in the girls
brain. She feared a tragedy, yet Joey
assuredly would not be so cheerful, so
daintily DESTROYS to avoid the splash
ing water In the cabin If his master
were injured. The mere presence Of
the dog was a guarantee that Courte-
nay had not quit the ship.
ooh, joey" she said, II wish you
could speak,"
The sound Of her own voice startled
her. She was yielding to
again and "a on the point Of ventur-
ing out. at least as far as the deck
house ran, to see If she could distin-
guish what was taking place on the
after part Of the vessel, when DR..
C%hristobal entered.
! suppose W. lAoASI ou "N1S Iva
g%otten?' he cried, with a pleasant
smile, for Christobal would have a
smile for a woman even on his death
bed. 'There, now, don't try to ex-
plain your feelings. You have had a
very trying time. and I want you to
oblige me by drinking this"
"This" was a glass Of champagne
which he hurriedly poured out of a
small bottle he was carrying into a
glass which he produced from a
pocket. The mere sight Of the wine
caused Elsie to realize that her lips
and palate We're on fire with salt. At
one moment she had not the slightest
next she felt that speech was impossi-
BILE until she drank. Never before had
She known what thirst a
"Ah. that is better" said the doctor.
"Now, If you don't mind, we shall have
tho door closed"
With peace suddenly restored to the
room and her faculties helped more
than she suspected. Elsie began to
wonder what had happened
"Where are the Others" she asked,
"and why are you taking things so
coolly? Captain Courtenay said
"Captain Courtenay said exactly what
he meant. But circumstances proved
too strong for him. We shall not be
able to leave the ship just yet"
"Can't they lower any of the boats?"
"Most decidedly. Two boats have
been gone some time. l imagined you
knew that. Did not the captain tell
you?"
Elsie felt that her companions glib
tone was artificial. Something had oc-
Cured which he was keeping from her.
She believed that he had gone to the
salon to procure the wine so that she
might have what men called Dutch
courage when bad news came.
IT have not exchanged a dozen words
with the captain since you refused my
help in the fore cabin" she said. HE
had other matters to attend to than
explaining the progress of events to
me. Why cannot you trust me? I
shall not scream nor faint nor hinder
you In your work. ask you again,
where are the others?"
"You mean Miss Barring and Mrs.
Somerville?'
Eyes"
IF they arc living they are far
enough away by this time. When their
boat was lowered it was cast off pre-
maturely"-
"P%urposely?'
"Well. yes. Courtenay had just rlac-
ed Miss Baring's maid on board when
some Of the crew let go the ropes.
What could we do. We We're forced
to depend on them"
us there no other boat?"
Christobal threw u his hands in
his characteristic gesture. He was so
emphatic that he spilled some of the
wine.
"You take 1t bravely," he said. II
may as well give you the whole story.
The first boat lowered was lost
through the mems own bungling, the
captain says. Then there was a des-
perate fight for the three remaining
craft. Most Of the officers were killed.
Courtenay got n few of us together
when Isobel and Mrs. Somerville join
ed you here, and we held Off such Of
the madmen as tried to seize the jolly
boat. They managed to lower two life
boats. but between murder and panic
not half Of the crew escaped in that