The Huttig news., 1917-10-06

movements, and thinking of how best to keep the fellow at safe distance. the girl leaned toward me, and whis- pered word in my ear.
 He has revolver. I saw the butt In his pocket, while he lay asleep in the bow. You will be careful, Mir. Hol- lis?"
 You need have no fear for me- l answered reassuringly, and ventured to touch her hand where it rested on the thwart between us. "I have been bucko mate, my lady, and learned how to handle his kind. If he ever draws a gun on me out here, I'll teach him something he never learned yet in Wall street."
 The hours of that day fairly dragged along, as we stared out dull-eyed on the same vista of sea and sky. The girl and I talked. avoiding as much as possible all reference to our situation, and the fate of the yacht. our conver- sation drifting here and there. We spoke of books, of art, of drama, and she exhibited even wider range of knowledge on these subjects than I possessed, while her comments were keen and original-nOt pedantic, nor bookish in any way. but the outspoken frankness of young womanhoOd. In- deed, she was wholesome all through, her face mirror of her nature, her eyes reflecting back each mood. Never oeIore naa 1 met one Of her sex SC deeply interesting, so unconventional and plain-spoken.
 However, our conversation lapsed at last, through sheer weariness on my part. 1 had been at the steering oar so long, staring out into that drear ex- panse of ocean and sky. that every muscle of my body ached. and my eyes could scarcely be forced to remain open. In the silence she must have no ticed this, for she exclaimed suddenly:
 "Why, I never thought you must be nearly dead with fatigue. Let me take the oar while you sleep"
 "I am afraid I shall have to-" 1 ad mitted, flor I must keep awake to- night. You feel eompetentY'
 "Why, Of course; you saw me steer. If anything goes wrong I can call you easily enough. Please lie down for q few hours."
 I looked about, permitting her to grasp the oar, and slip into my seat.
 Really I feel as if I must,' I said respectfully, "and there can be no dan ger while things keep as they are. Call | tc han in weather, for that jury mast will never ! stand any weight of wind.'
 T promise; but am better boat man than you think"
 I must have slept for several hours undisturbed for, when finally opened my eyes once more the sky above us was beginning to turn purple with twi- light, and the breeze had failed, so that the sail Tapped idly against its impro- vised mast. This, perhaps, was the noise which had aroused me. I sat up wide awake instantly, and stared about me in the boat. There was little change noticeable; Miss Vera still ciung to the steering oar, showing no outward signs of weariness, and greet ed me with a smile and nod of the head but McCann had moved forward, and sat playing idly with an open jack knife.
 II bear testimony that you slept well, MT. Hollis," the girl said eheerfully.
 "I did not realize until I lay down how weary I was" replied, adopting her manner, but really you had no right to let me lie so long. Why, I must have been sleeping three or four hours, and you will be tired out"
 "Oh. no; 1t was no trick at all. The wind kept steady until just few mo- ments ago, and I do not feel in the least fatigued.'"