The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1919-05-10

Not the working crew they are quar-
tered in the forecastle and are largely
English and Swede. But we have to
carry extra men. who bunk amidshipS
-hellhOunds to electromagnetic of
course They are allowed on deck
amidships when we are at sea, but
are not encouraged to mingle with the
sailors. We're over a powder maga-
zine all the time, Gutes-any spark
might set 1t off"
l opened one of the doors opposite
and glanced within. The interior diff
fered but little from that of the state
room occupied by Estada. except 1t
was minus the table. No doubt they
were all practically alike.
"This will do very well,' l said qui-
city. Nov how about clothes? These
l wear look rather rough for the new
job"
I'll send you the steward; he'll fix
you out from the slop chest"
| was glad to see him go and closed
the door on him with sigh of relief.
1t had all occurred so quickly, almost
without effort on my part, l could do
little but wonder what strange occur
renee would be next. What, indeed.
was there for me TO do except to await
developments? Only one thing oc-
Cured to mel must discover some
means Immediately of communicating
with Dorothy Fairfax.
The Importance of this could not be
overestimated. With myself quartered
aft and eating in the cabin we were
bound to meet sooner or later, and the
girl must previously be warned of my
prise at the recognition l should be
instantly betrayed If l was to serve
the girl there must be, first of all, in
telligent cooperation between us. She
must not only know of my presence
on the Namur but also the purpose ac-
tuating me. / had reached this con-
clusion when light, hesitating knock
sounded at the door.
Gunsaules entered, garments over
his arm, and laid out the pieces care
fully one by one, evidently proud of
his selection.
1.-THE clothes seem to be all right
steward" l said, land / judge will
fit. Now hunt me up first of all some
thing to shave with, then some to-
bacco and a pipe, and-yes. wait a
second-writing materials. And, by
the way. there are two staterooms
astern. Who occupies the one to star
board-Senor Estada?"
"NO, senior; it is the young lady,"
"Oh, the one brought aboard last
night. Have you seen herr"
Isl, senior: she is English and good
to look at, but she sit and stare out
the stern port. She will not speak or
eat. l take in her breakfast, but she
touch not morsel. So l tell Senior
Estada, and he say, then bring her
out to dinner with me; I'll make the
hussy eat If have to choke it down
her dainty throat"
Good; I'll have look at her my
self then. Now hurry up those things,
steward, and remember what / sent
you after"
He brought the shaving set and
writing materials first, explaining that
he would have to go down into the
lazaret and break open some pack
ages for the tobacco and pipe. The
moment the fellow disappeared I
grasped the opportunity. l dashed off
note hurriedly-a brief line merely
stating my presence on board and beg
ging her not to exhibit surprise at
meeting me. I had no time in which
to explain or make clear the situa-
ton. With this folded and concealed
in my hand 1 silently pushed open the
door.
/ crept swiftly forward. following
the circle of the staterooms, until
came to the closed door of the one
listening for some sound from within,
but heard none. Beyond doubt the
girl was within and alone, and ! must
trust her quick intelligence to respond
to my written message. l thrust it
through the narrow opening above the
sill, and the moment it disappeared
within stole swiftly back to my own
room. The action had not been seen,
and yet l had scarcely moment to
spare. before l could lather my face
the steward returned, bearing in his
hands tobacco and pipe.
Estada. however, remained away
longer than 1 had anticipated he
would, and l was fully dressed and
comfortably smoking before he came
down from the deck and crossed the
cabin to my partially open door.
''The starboard watch has been
called" he said, land you are to take