Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-07-11

"A pistol. Where is it,?
The stewards rowing glance fell
finally upon the washbasin He
walked over picked up the automatic
and with an indeScribable glance at
the nurse, laid it across Neeland's
upturned palm.
The young mans fingers fumbled
it, closed over the handle; and
ghost Of a smile touched his ashen
face.
DO you feel better, sir?"
I'm tired. Yes, L feel bet
ter"
Can I do anything for you, Mr..
Neeland?"
stay outside--my door"
do you wish the doctor sir?'
cali M him; do you hear?"
Il won't call him. sir"
No no SIR Sir. Mr.. Neeland,
there is "a trained nurse here.
You will not want her will you'
Again the shadow of a smile crept
over Neelands face.
Did she come for-her handker-
There was a silence; the steward
looked steadily at the nurse; the
nurses dark eyes were fixed on the
you shan't be wanting her any
more, shall you, sir?" repeated the
steward, not shifting his gaze,
60 Yes I'LL / think 55i1e ! ], shall want her
Neeland slowly opened his
eyes, smiled up at the motionless
nurse: How are you, Scheherazade?
he said weakly And, to the steward,
with an effort: Miss White and 1
are-old friends. ,..,a. Ho no, dnor
And throw what remains of
my dinner-out of-the. port.
And be ready-at all times-to look
after the-gentleman on clutches.
I'm-fond of him.
Thank you, steward"
Long after the steward had closed
the stateroom door, Use Dumont
stood beside Neelands bed without
stirring. Once or twice he opened his
eyes and looked at her humorously.
"Please be seated, scheherazade."
She calmly seated herself on the
elge Of his couch,
"Iorrid SOUP" he murmured. "You
should attend a cooking school, my
dear"
She regarded him absently, as
though other matters absorbed her.
Eyes" he repeated, "as a cook
you're a failure, Scheherazade. That
broth which you seasoned for me has
done funny things to my eyes, too.
But they're recovering. see much
better already. My vision is becom-
ing sufficiently clear to observe how
pretty you are in your nurses cap
and apron"
A slow color came into her face
and he saw her eyebrows bend in
ward is though she were annoyed.
"You are pretty, ScheheraZade," he
repeated. "You know you are, don't
you? But you're a poor cook and
rotten shot. You can't be perfection,
you know. Cheer up"
She ignored the suggestion, her
dark eyes brooding and remote again;
and he lay watching her with placid
interest in which no rancor remain
ed. He was feeling decidedly better
every minute now. He lifted the au-
tomato pistol and showed it under
his pillow, then cautiously fexed his
fingers, his arms. and finally his
knees, with increasing pleasure and
content.
it to have been murder this time. too,
Scheherazade? Would the entire
cupful have made a pretty angel of
me? Oh, fe! Naughty Schehera-
zade!"
She remained mute.
Didn't you mean manSlaughter
with intent to exterminate?' he in
sisted, watching her.
Perhaps she was thinking of her
blond and bearded companion, and
the open port, for she made no re-
ply y,1,, aia,,+ Wa, lot hin, n.oua
You object?"
At that she Redeemed to the roots
of her hair, understanding that what
she feared had been true-that Nee
land. while physically helpless had
reta med sufficient consciousness to be
aware of what was happening to him
and to understand at least a part
of the conversation.
"What was the stuff with which
YOU Favored that soup, Schehera-
zade?"
He was merely batting her; he did
not expect any reply; but, to his sur
prise. she answered him:
Thelanium-Speyer's solution is
what I used" she said with sort of
"Bont Know It. Don't like It, Ell
thed. Prefer other condiments"
He lifted himself on one elbow.
remained propped so. tore open his
wirless telegram. and, after a while.
cOntr.ved to read it:
James Nee1and,
IS. S. Volhynia.
"Spies aboard. Be careful. If
trouble threatens captain has instruc-
tons British government to protect
YOU and order arrests on your com
plant. "Naia."
With a smile that W almost a
grin, Neeland handed the telegram to
Use Dumont
"scheherazade." he said. you'll be
n good little girl now, won't you?
Because it, would be a shocking thing
for you and your friend across the
way to land in England wearing fun,
ny bangles on your wrists and keen
ing step with each other, wouldn't
She continued to hold the slip of
paner and stare at it long after she
had finished reading it and the words
became a series of parallel blurs.
"Scheherazade," he said lightly
what on earth am I going to do
with you?"
81 suppose you will lodge charge
with the captain against me- she
said in even tones.
''Whv not? You deserve it, don't
you? You and your humorous friend
with the yellow beard?'
She looked at him with a vague
smile,
Perfectly true, dear child Moth
ing, 7 don't want to prove any
thing, either"
She smiled incredulously.
It's quite true, Scheherazade. 9th
erwise, [ wouldn't have ordered my
stewart 10 throw the remains OIL my
dinner out of the corridor portfolio
No, dear child. I should have had
it analysed, had your stateroom
searched for more of that elusive
seasoning you used to flavor my
dinner; had a further search made
for a certain sort of handkerchief
and perfume. Also, just imagine the
delightful evidence which thorough
search of your papers might reveal!"
He laughed. mo. Scheherazade;
did not care to prove you anything
resembling a menace to society. Be
cause, in the first place, I am alb
surdly grateful to you"
Her face became expressionless
under the slow flush mounting.
I'm not teasing you," he insisted
What say is true. I'm grateful
to you for violently injecting ro-
nance into my nerfectlu com mon