Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-30

q deep impression. - -
you were sailor?"
| II was twelve years at sea; my fa-
| Their was large ship owner. I left
the sea when I was thirty; had
| arisen to command, my father died.,
and decided had had enough. sup
pose I seem quite ancient to you?"
| Indeed you do not. I think 1t Is
wonderful for you to fight your way
| like that, when your father was rich.
1t was mans work. Tell me about,
| 1t. Your sea life, / mean.'
The eagerness of her voice must
have touched responsive chord, for
almost before I realized my purpose,
began speaking. I began at the first,
relating my life as cabin boy, and as
man before the mast, my first voyage
as mate, and the experiences of my
earliest command. told of shipwreek
in the South seas; of battle for life
in the Indian ocean; of strange peoples
| met in every quarter of the earth;
of fighting windy gales off the Allan.
tic coast, and the silent desolation of
tropic seas. Breathless with interest,
she questioned me, and I answered,
feeling the magic of her eyes on my
face, the soft intoxication of her pres
ence beside me. She was natural,
wholesome, the very sort Of woman ]
had dreamed about, as being some
where in the world, yet had never met
before. Her very presence was inspi-
ration, but beyond this vague impress
sion my dream did not go. Then /
looked aside at her and laughed, realiz-
Ing suddenly how loQuacious I had
been.
REALLY, must have nearly talked
you to sleep" said regretfully. II do
not know when I have before been
guilty Of such egotism."
'Do not say that. It was most In
teresting. It is nice to be spoken to
as though one was an intelligent hui
man being-it Is quite an experience"
"Perhaps do not understand"
Doubtless not, for you are not a
girl, and you tell me you never sought
society. The very nature of your life
has left you frank and ghtforward.
You talk to me just as you would to a
man."
'Tf my frankness has interested
you," ventured, "can you not realize
how much desire to learn more-who
you are, why you are here?"
"Of course; but I cannot tell you,
Mr.. Hollis-not yet"
She looked at her wrist watch, hold
Ing it out into star-gleam, which re-
vealed the white shapeliness of her
arm.
II dare not even remain here with
you longer"
but you will come again? This t.
not to be our last meeting?"
She hesitated, her eyes meeting
mine almost kindly; then she held on!
her hand.
"The last-yes, in this way. You
will meet me again, but not as we are
tonight. 1 have truly enjoyed being
with you, of hearing your story, but
this meeting here alone was not my
choice. You understand I could not
avoid it, and after I was discovered,
had to remain and win your pledge
to secrecy. You will not forget that?"
"Assuredly not. You will not return
to the deck tomorrow night?"
She laughed softly, and withdrew
her hand, which still held.
Tomorrow night! Oh, I cannot
tell; we may be far enough at sea by
then so need no longer seek fresh air
by night. I told you my concealment
was only temporary. Good night, Mr..
Hollis
The gray dress she wore left upon
me the impression that she faded
from sight, her dim outline vanished
so suddenly amid the shadows. I took
swift step forward, impelled by an
irresistible desire to ascertain in what
portion of the yacht she found conceal
ment, yet paused almost as quickly.
Who she was, and why she had chosen
so unconventional a manner of joining
us, was beyond my guessing. [ essayed
many a theory, yet one after the other,
all broke down, and left me cropping in
darkness. Only one fact remained
steadfast, to which l could cling with
CONFERENCE.-The girl was no mere adj
ventures, no criminal; she was doing
nothing Of which she was in the least
ashamed, nor had she the slightest
fear the consequences.
(COntinuad Next Week.