The Washington herald., 1917-08-13
Helen Fergets he Number Of Their Staeroom and Has
Notifying Adventure.

into the black abyss beyond the rail-
ing.
"oh. dear, couldn't sleep II ]
went down now. That rooms like a
Turkish bath. / thought we'd stay
up here as long as we could"
well, I'm tired enough to sleep
anywhere. I'll go on-you come
when you're ready"
Alone, Helen was conscious of a
sudden depression. Though War
rem, smoking. had maintained a
stolid, unresponsive silence, yet the
mere consciousness of his presence
made for contentment. But now
she moved restlessly in the wabbly
camp chair. The rush of the waves
had assumed a plaintive rhythm.
and a distant boat mooed mourn
fully.
Another half hour and she felt
that she. could better endure the
heat OF the stateroom than the
dreary loneliness of the deck-a
loneliness emphasized by the mur-
murmous intimacy or other couples
1t was not until she reached the
long confusing corridor that she
htoAlANN sAit hou AOA Nht
ber of their stateroom. But she
remembered the location-the first
in the second aisle from the CEN
ter stairway.
s71! Yes. that was IT, The num-
Der on the white panel was reas-
suringly familiar.
Cautiously she turned the knob
He had left the door unlocked. She
entered noiselessly. fearing TO
awaken him. The inner room, hav-
ing no portfolio, was bafflingly dark
except for a faint glow from the
frosted transom.
Cropping for a hook on the back
OF the door, she hung up her hat
and coat. Growing more accus-
toned to the darkness she now dis
tinguished Warren in the lower
berth. A momentary resentment
at this seeming selfshness-but
perhaps he thought she could get
more air above.
Where had he put her suitcase
Slipping off her blue serge skirt.
she hung it beside her coat, then
with cautious stealth felt for her
bag.
Stumbling against the one chair
piled with his carelessly flung clothes,
she stood still, fearing she had aroused
him. But as there was no stirring
from the white mound in the berth,
STOPPING, she felt beneath 1t. The
suitcase she drew out seemed
strangely unfamiliar. Amazed she
felt encircling straps! 1t was not
hers-nor was it Warren's!
The next moment the room sprang
into light. Paralyzed Helen still
crouched by the suitcase. \ strange
man, his hand on the switch, was
glaring at her from the lower
berth.
Somehow she got to her feet and
made a dash for the door, but a
heavy grip on her arm held her
firmly. He had leaped out. holding
her with grim tension while he
pressed the button that called the
steward.
Too terrified TO speak. Helen
struggled feebly against the iron
clutch of the menacing giant, tow
ering above her in blue linen pa
jamas.
"oh. you don't get away that
easy" his voice was harshly stern.
About time some of you sneak
thieves were caught"
Sneak thieves! The words crash
ed through Helen's chaotic mind.
Suddenly the hold on her arm re-
laed as his gaze changed from con-
tempt to concern. Then his glance
swept the door on which hung her
hat, coat and skirt.
For the first time Helen was con-
scious of her black silk petticoat.
A hot flame dyed her face as her
mortitication surmounted her fear.
A knock on the door, and the
drawing voice of a steward.
You ring, sah?'
"A mistake" brusquely. 'I don't
need you now"
Yes. sah." and the sound of re-
treating steps.
I'm very sorry-but my mistake
was natural" Then with embar-
rassed awkwardness. Perhaps you'd