Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-23

He laughed, watching the smoke
rings rise lazily in the air.
WELL hardly that, my boy. My hos.
| pitaiity is not to be SO strictly limited
However, no doubt, we shall discuss
some matters of business importance
before our return. BY the way, you
have some idle money, / hear?"
'Not large sum at present, al.
though it is true I control some capt.
tai"
Darlington pushed back his chair
and arose to his feet.
sThat is of no immediate impor-
&nce," he said careIessly. "But in my
great opportunity in finance, when 1t
will pay well to be on the inside 1t
may interest you to know that cop
per pool is being organized"
Il suspected as much you have some
news?"
Exceedingly important news. Lis
ten, Hollis, this is strictly confidential
and worth your thinking it over. Only
two men on board know the truth.
There will be war in Europe-the big
gest war ever known in history-within
a month. Do you realize what that
will mean, for instance, to "copper""
II can imagine, sir. But if we are
on the verge of such a sudden rise in
market value, why do you leave New
York for a long voyage"
Darlington smiled, stroking his gray
mustache.
"A natural question, perhaps coming
from one not acquainted with my
Methods" he answered good-humored7
ly. Because prefer to be thought
out of it. Everybody ON the street
Is aware that / am at sea. / thus
escape being interviewed, importuned
for information. I am unsupported of
being where | can manipulate the mar
ket. The Esmeralda is equipped with
a powerful wireless outfit, and we have
on board the most expert operator
TO be procured in New York. | shall
be in direct communication with my
office every hour of the day and night.
Tomorrow, once safely beyond Point
Judith, [ shall explain my plan; mean
while, Hollis, think it over"
He turned toward the stairs, but /
stopped him, more deeply interested in
something else than in his rather vague
financial scheme. The girl on board !;
was it possible she could have any con-
EectiOn with this affair?
"By the way" / spoke with an as
sumption of carelessness, Mrs. Car
rington, I understand, is at present in
Europe?"
''Yes, in Switzerland; | have cabled
her that she had better return as far
as London at once"
'You seem very confident as to the
truth of your adTices."
81 am; I know the men who have
reported to me-"
81 see; and consequently there are
no women on boardY
'WOmen? He made a swift, express
Sive gesture. Certainly not. I wrote
you to that effect, / believe; at least
so instructed my secretary. This
voyage is primarily a business affair.
Why should you ask that question,
Hollis? You have met all my guests"
I hesitated, yet determined to put
him fully to the test. If he knew, Ell
Their his face or manner would betray
him, irrespective of his words,
II imagined I saw woman on the
deck last night, when I ventured out
to learn why the engine had stopped.
No doubt it was an Illusion"
'It surely must have been," his voice
evidencing surprise, "for give you my
word there is not woman on this
yacht. What, to your mind, did the
creature look like?"
Nothing at all definite, a mere out
have been an odd combination of
shadow, but, at the time, I felt con-
vinced the vision was actually flesh
and blood"
Darlington laughed heartily.
"Dismiss it, my boy" he said, his
hand gripping the brass rail. eve
may indeed have ghost women on
board, but no flesh and blood ones.
Better join us on deck, and let the sun
and wind clear your brain-perhaps
the champagne caused the mischief?"
Hardly" I answered, adopting his
mood, "as I did not touch any. How
ever, I will join you presently"
I watched him disappear through the
companion, stirring my coffee noncha~
lantly enough. Yet was not satisfied
Darlington did not know, possessed no
suspicion; nevertheless I remained
convinced there was woman ON
board the Esmeralda.
Continued Next Week.
Notice Of Hearing, Settlement and