Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-17
CHAPTER IN-(Continued


~ quickly. what do you say If we blot
out all this mystery and just be natural for
q while? have been alone so long, hiding
/ Ike criminal. it will be a wonderful pleas
are to converse with some one. Have you
the slightest knowledge of where we are,
Mr. Hollis? What is that light flashing out
yonder?'
Joined her at the rail. looking out across
the expanse of water at the distant CLEAN.
"Montauk Point" answered. instantly
recognizing the peculiar flash. The east
ern extremity of Long Island. We shall
| be breasting the Atlantic by daylight If all
is we'll. have good reason to remember
MontaulS."
"Yes? You were there?"
"Once why 1t was sixteen years ago at
| the close of our war with Spain. / served
| on the st. Paul, and we came up from
| Cuba loaded with sick and wounded soldiers
Michigan troops mostly--and put them
ashore at Montauk. l was little more than
| n bow then, and the suffering witnessed
made deep impression
| You were a sailor?"
1T was twelve years at sea; my father
was a large shpowner."
"You sailed in his ships?"
mot altogether: I ran away to make
nv first VOYAGE, a long one to Australia.
Later, when he discovered / could not be
weaned from the life, l was\glven employ
ment on his line, but do not think our re-
| latonship ever greatly aided me 'therwlse''
But you-you said you lived in CHI
cago?"
"For' some years. I left the sea when
was thirty; I had arisen to command, my
| father died and decided had had enough.
| I suppose I seem quite ancient to you?'
"Indeed YOU do not. l think it Is Won
derful for YOU to fight your way like that,
when your father was rich. 1t was mans
work. why, Mr.. Hollis l am not child"
..Is age another OF your secrets?'
mot by any means l am nlheteeh-What
made you smlle?'
mo discourtesy, I assure you; nineteen
| "a an age I am always bound to respect !;
| at nineteen I was third mate on the Re-
| triever en- route for Bahia, and never since
| have I felt the Importance of life as vividly
as I did then"
She looked up into my face questioningly
| 'oThat ia not altogether nice Of you,' she
said "When / permit you 10 remain ana
| tall, with me, you should not make fun Be
| sides, a girl at nineteen, and boy-they
are not the same-are theyY
"Ouite different, I should say; although
| the truth is, Miss Vera, it has never been
my privilege TO know great deal about
girls"
| 7 have met pretend to know all about them !;
then they act and talk like fools, Did you
have no slstersP
"None. or brothers either CHANGED to be
the only child Then went 10 sea so early
in life failed 10 acquire the habit of seek
ing companionship with your sex. My time
of development was passed entirely with
men and 1 confess. that afterward L have
never felt quite at home among women. No
doubt that explains why i am still bach
elor."
Tell me about IT," she exclaimed eagerly
'TYour sea life, mean"
U9aa there is nothing TO tell"
"Oh. YES there is; the things one does
not read in books. IL l was not girl
actually believe / should he sailor--the
ocean fascinates me"
'You know it wel?"
"Only from two short trips to Europe
and one to the Bahamas; nero pleasure
iaunts in summer weather. Tell me about
the other side Of the plcture--the ocean the
real sailor knows"
The eagerness of her voice must have
touched a responsive chord for almost be-
fore realized my purpose began speak,
ing Never before did my experiences at
sea come back TO mind with such vivid
ness; they gave color TO my words, while
the evident appreciation of the girl. leaning
over the rail In the starlight. stimulated my
memory. / began at the first. relating my
life as cabin boy and as man-before-the-'
mast my first voyage as mate and tho
experiences of my earliest command
told of shipwreck In the South Seas: OF a
hattie for life In the Indian Ocean: Of
strange peoples met In every quarter OF
the earth; Of lighting wintry gales Off the
Atlantis coast and the silent desolation OF
tropic seas Breathless with interest she
questioned me and answered. feeling the
6lnGto - hes, eyee 90 my noA ~ - -