Sioux County pioneer., 1921-08-25
CHAPTER ,ll.-c9nt,nued.

CHAPTER ,Il.-cahtinued.
Mr.. Shaw looked at me steadily. His
eyes were the kind that seem to see
all and reveal nothing. felt hot
spark of defiance rising in my own.
"And indeed it is too bad" he said
coolly, that the trip should not be
more to Miss Harding's liking" The
rough edges of his Scotch burr had
been smootl,ed down by much wander
ing. but you knew at once on which
side of the Solway he .had seen the
light.
ut is not question of my liking"
i retorted, trying to preserve an UNI
nnoved and lofty demeanor, Though my
heart was beating rather quickly at
finding myself actually crossing
swords with the redoubtable adyentur-
er, this man who had often faced
death, I could not refuse to believe,
as steadily as he was facing me now.
1T Is not at all a question of my
liking or not liking the trip. but of the
trip itself bcing-quite. the widest
thing ever heard out of story-book."
"All-yet the world would be poorer
If certain wild trips had not been tax
.en. seem to remember one Chris
topher Columbus, for instance"
BY a vivid lightning flash of wratl,
I felt that this adventurer was laugh
ing at me under his sober exterior
i. even stirring me- up as one does an
angry kitten.
YES" ! fiared out, "but Columbus
did not inveigle confiding old lady
to 80 along with him!'' OF course
Aunt Jane is not, properly speaking,
an. old lady, hut It was much more.
effective to pose her as one for the
moment As N \ 3, 4; 4ss
It was certainly effective, to judge
by the sudden firm setting Of his
mouth. a
Lad" he said quietly, lend hand
: below. will you? They are overhaul.
!, Ing some of our stuff tween decks"
He waited until the Honorable Cuth-
bert, looking rather dazed, had retired.
We stood facing each other, my breath
coming rather hurriedly.
Miss Harding" he said slowly,
-that was bitter word yod said
My head went up. I
Bitter, perhaps" / flung back, ..but
as 1t not true? II is for. you to am
swer."
''No. it is not for me to answer, he
cause 1t is not for you to ask. But
since you talk of lnveigling, let me
give you the history of my connection
with the expedition. You will UNDER
stand then that had nothing to do
with organizing It, but was merely en-.
gagged to do my best to carry 1t
through to success" "a. i,
II have already heard version of
the matter from Mr.. Vane."
And you think he is in the con-
spiracy, too7 ..5 81.
Certainly not..''sI replied hastily. II
= mean OF course. know he told me-
exactly what he believes himself S
Then suppose you consider that
ne. was inveigIed, too ~ ,s..
Il am not required to consider Mr.
Vane's status at all."5 l. replied with
dignity. "It is my aunt whom i wish
to protect, Z" And suddenly to my dis
!, ! may my voice grew husky. / had to
turn my head aside and blink hard at
the sea. 5< 3ss "! 5;'
He stood looking down at lne--he
was q big man, though of lesser height
thant the superb Cuthbert- In way
couldn't quite understand. And what
s. don't understand always makes me
uncomfortable
Very vel, ~ he said after pause.
\ 5 Maybe your opportunity will come.
ut would be q pity indeed IL Miss
( Harling were TO require no protect.
II ing and a young lady here with such
& i good viii to 1t. But II You will take
! the suggestion Of "a man Of rather
+ broader experience than your own,
souswill wait until the occasion arises
B B tt Is bad generalship, really, to waste
Jour ammunition like this Il ss5
5s n dare say am not master Of
i.s.trategy, Vi cried. furious at myself
gtOl. my moment Of weakness and at
him for the asoftering tone which had
crept into his voice. II am merely
y apnest. And when II see Aunt Jane
b! thts, Violet person
And indeed have seen no reason
I N TINT Miss Hisgle lesby- Browne