The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-06-15
CHAPTER II.-continued.

CHAPTER ll.-continued.
p
Refore the party finally broke up
"a oul,iped my plan. ! was In nc
naee to retire, having slept more OF
~ tluring the afternoon; l would re
main alone on deck, and see what hap
naaed. We were steaming right gal
lntly now, and stars were finding riffs
n IL clouds through which to silver
the waves of the Sound. The first OH.
Il Vas still on the bridge, but Seeley
Would relieve him at twelve; there
vas nothing for me to do but wait until
then.
could better my position, however,
md Immediately did so. If the second
oGcef really proved to be the accom-
plics d the girl, he would very prob
abb take q rather careful survey Of
IL deck Mt before permitting her to
venture forth from concealment. If
II search disclosed my presence, the
y0ung woman would doubtless be or
lned to remain below. Ny choice Of
pqdltion was easily determined. The
It locker was unusually cOmmOdious,
. one Of Carrington's hobbies was to
dress the ship handsomely on every
nh occasion, and display the colors
II N nations. It was built directly
Asainst the after rail. and back into
10 protective shadow I silently drew a
4Amer chair, concealed myself be-
neath the folds of q rug, and lay there
quietly.
Time dragged, but finally the bell
forward announced the hour for the
change Of watch. ! was sailor enough
70 comprehend the meaning Of every
scgnd. heard someone walk hastily
aeIoss 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, became aware that some
- had quietly rounded the end of the
cabin. The mate passed me by within
2 lew Feet, SO close, indeed. I could
distinguish the buttons on his uniform,
end the white cap he wore. Nothing,
however, could have occurred to arouse
~ mspici0ns, for the man did not
eve0 pause In his slow walk, but disap-
leafed along the port rail. Fearing
= might return, I remained motion
- yet was doubly assured now that
~ snspiciOns were about to be veri-.
I'D dared not venture any explo-
l1don. Thus far my plan had worked
llcelE and / could not now afford to
- discovery. She came so silently,
we . gray shadow gliding out of the
Int that she was actually beside the
N gazing steadfastly out ut the sill
~ water, before I was even clearly
WARE Of her presence. was scarcely
gliling to accept the evidence Of my
M eyes, yet arose slowly to a sitting
loesure to observe better, dropping the
g silently onto the deck. She heard
= sound Of the movement, and, with
2 suspicion Of any other presence
~ remained motionless, drinking in
= 1oft beauty of the night, and
raining deeply the crisp salt air.
! could see her plainly. silhouetted
ln& the sky, illumined by the star
IN which reflected upward from the
-. her hands clasped on the rail,
II form bent slightly forward, her
= blowing lightly in the wind. She
- slender and young, no doubt as to
= with certain supple grace to her
SWs noticeable even in that quiet
netnre.
Helped by the support OF the flag
'ekef. ttained my feet noiselessly,
~ half determined n the course l
9 better pursue. However, I was
8 no choice. Something served to
sztIs her. to make her vaguely aware
some other presence on the deck.
, turned. still grasping the rail with
: hand, and confronted me. caught
nmpse Of her face. white and youth
= her big eyes staring at me as
oagn IN sudden terror. She stepped
'ck then Strengthened slightly, her
lestloning eyes never leaving my
=
II supposed myself to be alone"
: said. the words uncertain. but the