The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-03-09
CHAPTER v.

Sheba Sinas-and TWO Men Listen.
Elliot did not see Miss O'Neill next
morning until she appeared in the din
ing room for breakfast. He timed him
self to get through so as to join her
when she left. They strolled out to
the deck together.
He came abruptly to what was on
his mind. 81 have an apology to make,
Miss O'Neill. If I made light of your
danger yesterday, it was because I was
afraid you might break down. l had
to seem unsympathetic rather than
risk that"
She smiled forgiveness. "All you
said was that l might have sprained
my wrist. 1t was true too. / might
have-and ] did" Sheba showed a
white linen bandage tied tightly
around her wrist.
your whole weight came on 1t with
wrench. No wonder it hurt"
Sheba noticed that the Hannah was
drawing up to a wharf and the pas
sengers were lining up with their be-
longings. "Ts this where we changer"
Those Of US going to Kusiak trans
fer here. But there's no hurry. We
wait at this landing two hours"
Gordon helped Sheba move her bag
gage TO the other boat and Joined her
on deck. They were both strangers
in the land. Their only common &C.
quaintance was Macdonald and he was
letting Mrs. Mallory absorb his atten-
ton just now. Left to their own re-
sources, the two young people natu-
rally drifted together a good deal.
This suited Elliot. He found his
companion wholly delightful, not the
less because she was so different from
the girls he knew at home. She could
be frank, and even shyly audacious on
occasion, but she held little note of
reserve he felt bound to respect.
Macdonald left the boat twenty miles
below Kusiak with Mrs. Mallory and
the Selfridges. A chauffeur with a
motorcar was waiting on the wharf to
run them to town, but he gave the
wheel to Macdonald and took the seat
beside the driver.
"Are you going to the hotel or direct
to your cousin's7" Gordon asked Miss
O'Neill.
ITO my cousins. / fancy she's down
here TO meet me. 1t was arranged that
| come ON this boat"
Elliot caught glimpse of the only
people In Kusiak he had known before
coming In, but though he waved to
them he saw they did not recognize
him. After the usual delay about get
ting ashore he walked down the gang
way carrying the suitcase of the Irish
girl. Sheba followed at his heels Or
the wharf he came face to face with
a slender, well-dressed young woman
Diane" he cried.
She stared at him. "Youl What IN
heavens name are you doing here. Cor.
don ELLIOTT" she demanded, and before
he could answer had seized both hands
and turned excitedlv tn call stoclry
man near. 'Peter-Petcr! Guess
who's here9"
Hello, Paget!" grlnned Gordon, and
he shook hands with the husband OF
Diane.
Elliot turned to introduce his friend
but she anticipated him.
cousin Diane" she said drylv
"don't you know me?''
Mrs Paget swooped down upon the
girl and smothered her In her EN-.
brace.
'This is Sheba-llttle Sheba that !
have told you so often about, Peter"
she cried. GLORY be, I'm glad to see
you, child" And Diane kissed her
again warmly. "You two met on the
same boat, Of course, coming In. ]
hope you didn't let her get lonesome,
Gordon. Look after Sheba's su:tcases
Peter, Youth come to dinner tonight,
Gordon--at seven"