Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-16
CHAPTER III-Contjpued

NHHEIEh ut-COntinued
DUT the second officer, Seeey, was of an |
~ altogether different character. SIIe was
genial and courteous not a young man by
any means, for his hair was quite gray, yet
easy enough to approach--a good seaman
but lacking the education which would en-
able him to attain command I remembered
Darlington had mentioned the fact that he
had been in his employ for over ten years
lie was the one most likely to listen to
the plea OF woman and to be deceived
by her and besides, as suddenly recalled,
II was during his watch on the bridge
that tho girl had ventured on deck seeking
the fresh, night air. No doubt she was
half-stifed down below, shut in all day.
and had emerged from concealment so soon
as Seeley informed her the deck was de-
serted by the passengers. The seamen sell
dom had any occasion to use the after
deck and, II such an emergency arose. the
officer on watch could very easily warn her
OF danger. She would be safe enough from
observation under shadow Of the awning
for several hours each night.
Before the party finally broke up l had
outlined my plan. | was in no haste to
retire, having slept more less during the
afternoon ! would remain alone on deck
and see what happened. The fellows were
late enough going below. Mccain and his
three bosom friends lingering about the last
persed, however. never even noting my pres
ence where ! lay bundled UP in rug in
the depths of a steamer chair. Their de-
parture left the after-deck completely de-
serted anG silent. the only sounds reaching
mo being the thud OF the screw and the
dash of the waters alongside. We were
steaming right gallantly now and stars
were finding riffs in the clouds through
which to silver the waves OF the Sound. Our
siren had not blown for an hour. nor did
1 perceive the lights of any vessel near
| at hand The first officer was still on the
bridge, but Seeley would relieve him at IL
| there was nothing for me to do but wait
| until then.
l could better my position, however, and
| Immediately did so. If the second officer
| really proved to be the accomplce or the
| girl he would very probably take a rather
| careful survey of the deck aft before per-
| mitting her to venture forth from conceal
| ment. If his search disclosed my presence.
| the young woman would doubtless be or
| dered to remain below My choice of posi-
| tions was easily determined The flag locker
| was unusually commodious, as one Of Car
| ringtons 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 ana
| back into its protective shadow ! silently
| drew a steamer chair, concealed myself
| beneath the folds of a rug and lay there
1
| which would hardly be made-my pres
ence would never be noticed.
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. heard some one
| walk hastily across the main deck ana
| descend through the companion-a seaman
| dispatched to call the second mate.
The two came back together and there
| was a faint murmur of voices. as though
the officers exchanged condolences, ending
| with the closing of the companion door as
| Hatch finally retired below. Sceleys voice
| sang out an order. something to DO win
| one of the boats, and there was shuffiing
OF bare feet on the deck planks as amid
| ship the watchers responded. The hubbub
| did not last long, and the men evidently
disappeared forward, having completed their
| task Five minutes later with no warning
| sound of approach. | became aware that
some one had quietly rounded the END OF
| the cabin The mate passed me by Within
| n few feet so close indeed ! could dis
| tingush the buttons on his uniform and the
| white cap he wore, Nothing however
| could have occurred to arouse MS sus-
| picons for the man did not even pause IN
| his slow walk, but disappeared along the
| mort rail. Fearing he might return, | re-
| mained motionless, yet was doubly assured
| now that my suspicious were ABOUT 10 oe
| verified. There was woman conceaieu on
| ~
| able to solve the mystery of her presence.
| listened intently, but could distinguish
| M sound to guide me. Seeley had probabiy
| gone forward again to MS post on tne
| bridge but | dared not venture any eN-
| ploration Thus far my plan had "orkeu
| niceIv and | could not now afford to FISK
| discovery She came so silently. like a gray
shadow gliding out Of the night, that she
as actually beside the rail, gazing stead
fastly out at the silvery water before was
| even clearly aware of her presence, was
| scarceIv willing to accept the evidence or
| So, o,,,n eyes. vet arose slowly to sitting
ns,,,rs IN observe better. dropping the rug
| s;,entIv on to the deca She heard no souhd
| ~ the movement. and with no suspicion OF
anv other presence near, remained notion
less, drinking IN tne soni ouaa'S tha Sr,sn saIt
is No doubt she felt like prisoner re-
,aa.ad from the cell. with no other thought
axcent the glory OF her present liberty
cou,d see her plainly. silhouetted
.oainst the sky, ilumined by the star
gieam which reflected upward from @ .ne
,etsr her hands clasped on the rail her
49,, bent slightly forward her skirts
Ia,,,;rg lightly in the wind. She was
.ionaar and Young. no doubt as to that,
with a certain supple grace 10 ner hsnio
| noticeable even in that quiet posture De
| meath the light SCARF thrown W. nc tha
Ioosened strand of hair feil 10 the
ahon,dar 60 dark in color as to be clearly
...-l.s
deemed, Surely, whatever else she mlsnt
nroye to be, whatever her purpose WI was Son on
board she was no common wv wan seaev -. .e as "
comnanion, She did not belong to his class :
nr could there be aught socially in COM
| n,, hat,yeen them Some way TINS knoWl-
| adga this intuition, was positiVe renei
1oso IN on the trail of no vulgar intrigue,
no "e Commonplace romance of the slums'
Whatever the cause, the purpose OF her had aa,
venture, and whatever asss,ahee csr she sne was in
reeew no wav tainted by such suspicion any
longer in my Nina
Helped by the support Of the nag locker;
attained my feet noiselessly, only half
otarn,ined on the course had better pur-
ninwever | was left no choice. Some
uI sS,nx served to startle her, to make her
vasuely ya,rs aware of some other presence on on
She turn turned aos st eoafronssd
ran 'rht glimpse Of her face, white
"a vouthful, her big eyes staring at me