Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-10-25
CHAPTER ,i-continued.

CHAPTER il.-continued.
-
aiefore re purty finally broke up I
hac out,ined my I'lan. I was in no
haste to retire. having slept more or
leos dufing the afternoon; would re-
main alone on deck. and see what hap
pen6d. We were stealnlng right gull
tantsy now. and stars were finding riffs
In the clouds through which to silver
the waves of the Sound. The first off,
Ger was still on the bridge, but Sceley
would relieve him ut twelve; there
was nothing for me to do but wait until
then.
I could better my position, however,
and Immediately did so. II the second
officer really proved to be the accom-
pllce of the girl, he would very prob
ably take rather careful survey Of
the deck aft before permitting her to
venture forth from cOnccalment. II
Ills search disclosed my presence, the
young woman would doubtless be Or
dered to remain below. My choice Of
position was easily determined. The
flag locker was unusually commOdious,
as one Of Carrington's hobbies was to
dress the ship handsomely on every
gala occasion, and display the colors
Of all nations. 1t was built directly
against the after rail, and back into
fts protective shadow silently drew q
steamer chair. concealed myself be-
aeath the folds of u rug, and lay there
quietly.
Time dragged, but finally the bell
Forward announced the hour for the
change Of watch. was sailor enough
to comprehend the meaning of every
10und. heard someone walk hastily
Across the main deck, and descend
through the companion-a seaman dis
Patched to call the second mate. The
twO came back together. Five min
4tes later, with no warning sound of
opproach, became aware that some
1ne had quietly rounded the end of the
cabin. The mate passed me by within
= few Feet, so close. indeed, I could
distinguish the buttons ON his uniform,
and the white cap he wore. Nothing,
however, could have occurred to arouse
Als suspicious, for the man did not
even pause in his slow walk, but disap-
peared along the port rail. Fearing
he might return, I remained notion
less, yet was doubly assured now that
my suspicious were about to be verb
lied. dared not venture any explo-
ration. Thus far my plan had worked
nicely. and could not now afford to
risk discovery. She came so silently,
IKE gray shadow gliding out of the
aight, that she was actually beside the
rail. gazing steadfastly out ut the sill
very water, before was even clearly
aware Of her presence. was scarcely
willing to accept the evidence Of my
own eyes. yet arose slowly to sitting
posture to observe better, dropping the
rug silently onto the deck. She heard
no sound of the movement, and, with
no suspicion of any other presence
near, remained motionless, drinking In
the soft beauty of the night, and
breathing deeply the crisp salt air.
could see her plainly, silhouetted
against the sky, illumined by the star.
CLEAN which reflected upward from the
water. her hands clasped on the rail
her form bent slightly forward, her
skirts blowing lightly in the wind. She
was slender and young, no doubt Us to
that, with certain supple grace to hel
tn %1Hnk 1Dt
posture.
Helped by the support Of the flaf
locker, tttained my feet noiselessly
only half determined N the course
had better pursue. However, I wa!
left no choice. Something served t,
startle her, to make her vaguely aware
of some other presence on the deck
She turned, still grasping the rail Will
one hand, and confronted me. I caugh
. glimpse of her face, white and youth
euf, her big eyes staring at me a
taough In sudden terror. She steppe,
lack, then Strengthened slightly, he
questioning eyes never leaving m,
face.
"J-~I supposed myself to be alone,
che said, the words uncertain, but tn
vuAce clear. "You are one of the mas
Oengers7"
Eyes; I CHANGED to be still ON dec
when you came"
"Where1 You were expecting mel
I indicated the chair In the SHADOW
but did not venture to move.
RI was lying here, covered by a rul
but did not See you until you appeare
yonder at the rail- Why do you as
1f was expecting you7"
She hesitated just an instant, but al
1wered frankly.
'There vas a man here last nigh
|aftee the ano1nas stopped. I balisvt