Charlevoix county herald., 1918-03-22
CHAPTER TX.
The Last to Leave.

A hand on my shoulder awoke mo
to broad daylight. to beaming sun
and the immediate knowledge that 1t
was late morning.
You are not allowed to sleep all
day." said Isabelle Reade, and / won
dered fearfully il had snored. Hor-
rors! Had my mouth been hanging
open!
where are WEI" / cried. gaping
like fish. What time is it,"
1T is nine o'clock or more and I
have been sitting here since eight, SO
woke you. You are not interesting
company asleep"
Are we past San Diego?" I Ques-
toned, still confused, but able to look
at pl watcf-and verify the suspicion
that Newspaper habits had again con-
Queredy
"MNe and miles-I mean knots and
knots. Were you intending to get an
other drink at San Diego, Mr.. GIL
more?"
That was sarcasm. caught 1t, even
In my dazed condition.
"Yes-no, certainly not" I replied.
Then, did l snore, Isabelle?" I asked
meekly.
mot enough to disturb the man at
the Wheel" she said maliciously.
Children screaming, women faint
ing? Nothing like that?" I asked.
mo. Quite a gentlemanly exhala-
ton and inhalation of the breath.
Were you out all night in that steam
er chair?'
Mostly. Too beautiful to remain
indoors. Intended to study the stars
but fell asleep. Needed coffee" ey-
planned.
Il noticed you left before coffee last
evening. Why?"
Didn't need it. Important business.
Had to hurry away" / was certainly
not awake enough to yet stand cross.
examination. i must get away from
her before / betrayed myself by some
lingual slip. Important business
now" l said. "Must hurry away"
you sit down, Mr.. Gilmore" said
Isabelle Reade, a OBTAINING hand with
more muscle behind 1t than her gentle
curves warranted, laid on my arm.
"Sit right there until you have said
several words of apology due me slnce
yesterday afternoon. Begin!"
"I-I apologize" / muttered.
aN"Begin again!" she commanded
"eAart 4 humbly apologize"
humbly apologize"
"For my rudeness to Miss Reade n
refusing her drink in a saloon and
sending her to curley haired captain
who grins, <she continued.
"For all that and more"
"Then why did you do IT."
"Why?" l paused to gather myself
together; to seek help Of my wander
ing faculties; to reinforce the thin
line of my wits. 1t was hopeless. The
reserves wouldn't come UP: "Whyf
Why?" 1 repeated, aimlessly. II
don't know Can't tell you why"
II had only the wit to have lied to
her them! Her hand on my arm was
. drawn quickly away and a hot flush
mantled her cheeks-the blush Of
sham8 bat she was seeking an unde-
sired friendship, the poignant fear
that she was forcing herself on a man.
And even then, she was brave enough
to make a last battle for that friend
ship. With averted face and lowered
voice from which all the gentle rail-
lery had gone, she persisted: III I
was wrong-in anything did not DO
right-have hurt you unknowingly-
I am very. very sorry. Mr.. Gilmore"
she almost whispered.
could not stand 1t. II I had re-
NAMED another minute / should have
taken her in my arms and-and made
a mess of everything! ! ran away
down the deck while she still spoke.
~ hat blew over the side and I
d&<ed 1t so bitterly that man with
in hearing of my language piously
crossed himself. ! went to my cabin