The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-05-17
cHAPT I.


II
In her maiden season the Alsatia.
largest steamship in the world" of
her day and generation, was advertised
to leave Liverpool for New York via
Queenstown, promptly at five o'clock
In the afternoon of every third Satur-
day.
At about one o'clock of a Saturday
late in September one forehanded pas
senger found her way by dint of per-
sistence through the pandemonium in
the pier-shade to the Alsatia's first
cabin gangway.
This was a young woman not far
beyond her twentieth year, with tall
and slender body, face of uncommon
distinction, and at the time somewhat
pale, and a striking abundance of hair
the color of raw, red gold. Dressed
simply in dark travelling costume, with
hat in excellent accord, she carried, in
addition to a light wrap and tightly
rolled umbrella, conspicuously new
oxford bag lettered in black, az. c.
New York" Behind her porter stag
6tltu- Dtlltuln piece VI
luggage "A battered black-leather
trunk of great age, which, curiously
enough, bore the legend in letters Of
white, half obliterated, "L. C.-Lon-
DON"
Tipping and dismlssing the man, the
girl confidently ascended the gangway
TO the saloon deck of the Alsatia, and
asked a steward to conduct her to her
stateroom, displaying at the same time
ticket emitting Lucy Carteret, Spin
ster," to berth in Room rs, Deck b.
Once alone in her room, she bolted
the door, fingered before full-length
mirror to remove her hat, eying her
reflection with shadowy, puzzllng
smile, and turned away to review the
cubicle one-half of which she was en-
titled to call her own for the next six
days. The other half had been engaged
by woman of whom she knew moth
ing whatever, not even so much as her
name.
1t was a stateroom unusual in ar
rangement and luxurious in appoint
ment. Twin brass bedsteads stood end
TO end against the inner wall. The
other furniture comprised capaclous
cnest of drawers, comfortable sofa,
and two wicker armchairs. At one
end narrow doors admitted to a
cramped but adequate lavatory and a
roomy clothes-press. The woodwork
was enameled creamy white, and the
walls boasted panels of golden bro
cade-a color scheme conveying an eff
feet at once of warmth airiness and
scrupulous cleanliness.
With a grave little nod, the girl ap-
proved. If expensive-and 1t was hor-
ribly expensive for her slender purse
this stateroom was well worth all 1t
had cost her. There ran In her blood
the instinct for luxury, though now her
purse, upon examination, yielded but
four golden sovereigns,l half-sover-
eign, half-crown, a shilling, and
few ponderous copper pennies, barely
enough for the inevitable tips at the end
Of the voyage. She would land in New
York practically penniless. But that
would be on day the seventh distant: {:
sufficient unto 1t Its potential mischief.
She was very tired the last few
nights had brought her little sleep,
thanks to the excitement engendered
by contemplation of step whose bold
ness was unprecedented in her history.
But now, with that step successfully
taken, excitement yielded place to fa-
tigue. Unlocking and in part unpack-
ing both bag and trunk, she appropri-
ated fair half of the wardrobe ac-
commodations, then wrapped herself In
dressing gown and lay down on one
of the beds. Transient, odd visions
painted the ruddy gloom within her
closed eyellds-of the life she had dis
missed; Of the temerarious adventure
that engaged her; of the life to which
she looked forward.
In time a knocking sounded on the
door. The girl stirred and moved her
head impatiently. The knocking grew
imperative, and the deeps of sleep
were disturbed by other sounds as well,
by voices
Miss Carteret came fully to her