Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-01-10
CHAPTER xxII-continued.

I know not what time passed as
held her In my arms, and whispered
those words repressed so long. Almost
had forgotten where we were, the ma
ture of our surroundings, the fate
which threatened us. could remem-
Der only her, the velvety touch of her
flesh, the welcoming light Of love in
her eyes. / know not what we talked
about, conscious only of the joy of
being alone together, with every bar
rier between US swept away forever.
The sunshine poured In through the
open port, touching her hair with
threads of golden light, and leaving
q bar of brilliance across the state
room deck.
Yet I imagine the respite was not
long. There came a sharp rap upon
the wood Of the door, bringing us in
stantly back to a realization of our po-
sition. Her arms released me, and
arose to my feet.
''What Is wantedr"
'Tt's few minutes till noon, sir, !"
said voice I failed to recognize. "And
I'm to tell you to come on deck"
"Quite right, my man, I'll be there
at once. Stand by to carry the instru-
ments."
aye, aye, sir"
There was a certain cheerfu1ness
and respect in the voice, which con-
WINGED me that the fellow was not
among the ringleaders, but the hope
Of making him an adherent to our
cause vanished when I opened the
door, and recognized Dade. The man
was too weak, too much of a jellyfish.
to render his friendship of any particu-
Tar value. Besides Dugan was also in
the cabin, leaning idly against the
stair-rail, but quite as evidently on
guard. I nodded to him, but he only
condescended to stare in return, and
the look in his eyes convinced me that
he had not yet forgiven the rough
treatment accorded him a few hours
before. The memory made me smile.
1--WE seen you when you looked hap
pier, Dugan," said carelessly, 'but I
Imagine you have nothing on Jim
White"
ITO HI with yer" he growled saw
agely. eff had my way ye'd have no
tongue left to get smart with. Get
along now after yer things"
Dade followed me into the captains
stateroom. He was obedient enough,
Jul ISluCldAl " lcIh, uO dOQDL
Of being overheard by Dugan.
The conspirators were grouped on
the after deck waiting my arrival, and
{ followed Dade up the ladder, deter
mined they should perceive no change
n my demeanor, which might awaken
suspicion. McCann's manner was far
from cordial as 1 approached, but I
thought it best to ignore his churlish-
less.
you were long enough coming; per-
laps you still think yourself in COM
nand?" he said savagely.
''That would indeed be stretch of
he Imagination replied, holding my
temper, and motioning Dade where to
place the sextant. However, I do not
think have wasted my tme-it is still
two minutes of twelve"
He growled something, but busted
myself with the observation, only anx-
lous to make it accurate enough for
my own use. Whatever figures re-
ported, it was absolutely necessary
that I know myself the exact position
Of the ship. Nor did dare to juggle
them greatly in my report, for while
Mccain was far from being an expert
navigator. he yet possessed smatter-
Ing of knowledge, which rendered him
dangerous, and he was very sure to
check up my figures with every care
possible. However, I fooled him by a
point or two, sufficient for my purpose,
and wrote down the result on the back
of an old envelope, while slowing away
the correct figures in my own brain.
Although the air was balmy enough,
the wind from the southwest almost
directly in our teeth. yet there was
look OF the north about both sea and
sky. which would have convinced me
that we were approaching higher lati-
tudes without the aid of my observa-
ton. Without being able to explain
the phenomenon the seaman instinc-
lively recognizes northern waters.
Now, as my eyes swept the wide circle
OF the horizon, vainly seeking the
CLEAN of some distant sail, the heav-
ing expanse of water, the 0verarching
sky We're almost alike in color-a
cold. repellent blue, misting into gray
oiled the atmosphere. Indeed it was
this which interested me the most, this
vague evidence of floating vapor, for
knew enough of these seas to sus-
pect that this might prove the fore
runner Of storm, already preparing to
sweep down upon us out of the more
northern mystery. Others must have
noted the evidence also. for Liverpool
crossed the deck to where stood, leav-
ing Mccain with the chart in his
hands.
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