Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-03

chance, aided and Allotted by one OF the
crew. Somewhere below, where discov-
cry was not probable except through
accident, she was kept In hiding. Yet
to accomplish this she would need as
sistance. She must have had aid in
getting aboard unseen; someone who
knew Of vacant cabin, and who could
supply her with food. Only an off,
Ger could hope to do this without
arousing suspicion. Except for the en-
gineer, Gault, whom had not seen,
but who was hardly In situation to
render such service, there were three
who might be accomplices-the cap
tain, Turner, and the first and second
oficers-Hatch and Seeley. dismissed
all thought Of the first two almost in
stantly. Turner was an old sea-dog, a
former naval officer, unapproachable,
and an extremely strict dlscip)inarian
while Hatch was a tall, lank, slow.
spoken individual, never guilty Of the
slightest civllity to anyone. Neither
Of these would ever aid and abet a
woman under any conceivable circum-
stances. t6s
OF the second oficer, Seeley. I re-
membered Darlington had mentioned
the fact that he had been in his ems
ploy for over ten years. He was the
one most likely to listen to the plea Of
a woman, and to be deceived by her /;
and besides, as suddenly recalled, it
was during his watch on the bridge
that the girl had ventured on deck
seeking the fresh night air.
Before the pnrty finally broke up I
had oullined my plan. I was in no
haste to retire, having slept more or
less during the afternoon Il would re-
main alone on deck, and see what hap
peeled. We were steaming right gal
lantly 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 Seeley
would relieve him at twelve; there
was nothing for me to do but wait until
then.
could better my position, however,
and Immediately did SO. If the second
officer really proved to be the accom-
plice Of the girl, he would very prob
ably take a rather careful survey OF
the dock aft he:a-:c permitting: permitting her &C
venture forth from concealment. II
his 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. It was built directly
against the after rail, and back into
its protective shadow I silently drew a
steamer chair, concealed myself be-
meath the folds of 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
sound. I 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
utes later, with no warning sound Of
approach, 1 became aware that some
one had quietly rounded the end Of the
cabin. The mate passed me By within
Il few feet, 10 close, indeed, ! could
distinguish the buttons on his uniform,
and .hs white cap he wore. Nothing.
however, could have occurred to arouse
4 his 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 motion
kfG4la vet vss dn.,h!y assured .c..:' :.:: :s
!my suspicious were about tc be yer!-
fed. I dared not venture any explo-
/ ra1lun. Inus far my plan had worked
nicely, and could not now afford to
| risk discovery. She came 30 silently,
luke gray shadow gliding out Of the
night, that she was actually beside the
| rain, gazing steadfastly out at the sill
very water, before I va. even clearly
aware OF her presence. was scarcely
willing 30 accept the evidence Of M
Town eyes, yet arose slowly to Q sitting
Iposture to Observe better, dropping the
Irug silently onto the deck. She heard
Inc sound Of the movement. and. with
II. Il =. - aas. cAHhAvs x&RnannsaNn