Okolona messenger., 1921-11-03
CHAPTER lII.-contlnued.


A
Mr.. Shaw looked at me steadily. His
eyes were the kind that seem to see
all and reveal nothing. l felt a hot
spark of defiance rising in my own.
"And indeed 1t is too bad" ne said
coolly, that the trip should not be
more to Miss Harding's liking" The
rough edges of his Scotch burr had
been smoothed down by much wander
ing, but you knew at once on which
side of the Solway he had seen the
light.
1T is not a question of my liking"
retOrted, trying to preserve an un-
moved and lofty demeanOr, though my
heart was beating rather quickly at
finding myself actually crossing
swords with the redoubtable adventur-
er, this man who had often faced
death, could not refuse to believe,
as steadily as he was facing me now.
ut is not at all a question of my
liking or not liking the trip, but of the
trip itself being-Quite the widest
thing ever heard out Of stOry-book."
"Ah-yet the world would be poorer
II certain wild trips had not been TAX
en-. ! seem to remember one Chris
tOpher Columbus, for instance"
BY vivid lightning flash of wrath
felt that this adventurer was laugh
ing at me under his sober exterior
even stirring me up as one does an
angry kitten.
YES" l fiared out, hut Columbus
did not inVeigle confiding old lady
to go along with him!" OF course
Aunt Jane is not, properly speaking,
an old lady, but 1t was much more
effective to pose her as one for the
moment.
1t was certainly effective, to Judge
by the sudden firm setting of his
mouth.
Lad" he said quietly, 1end a 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.
shat was a bitter word you said"
My head went up.
"Bitter, perhaps" l flung back, "but
is 1t not trueH 1t is for you to an
ewer."
mo, it is not for me to answer, be-
cause 1t is not for you to ask. But
since you talk of inveigling, 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"
y have already heard version Of
the matter from Mr.. Vahe."
"Ahd you think he Ii In the con-
splracy, too?"
"Certainly not" replied hastily. 81
mean--of course, l know he told me
exactly what he believes himself"
"Then / suppose you consider that
he was inveigled, tOOT
Vane's status at ALL" I replied with
dignity. 1T is my aunt whom wish
TO protect" And suddenly to my dis
may my voice grew husky. had to
turn my head aside and blink hard at
the sea.
He stood looking down at me-he
was big man, though Of lesser height
than the superb Cuthbert--in a way
! couldn't quite understand. And wliat
don't understand always makes me
uncomfortable.
'Very welI,' he said after a pause.
Maybe your opportunity will come
II would be pity indeed II Miss
Harding were to require no protect
ing and a young lady here with such
good will to it. But If you will take
the suggestion OF a man Of rather
broader experience than your own,
You viii walt until the occasion arises.
It Is bad generalship. really, to waste
your ammunition like this"
u dare say am not a master Of
etrBfegy," / cried. furious at myself
for nv moment Of weakness and at
hlm FOR the softening tone which had
ecenf into his voice. Il am merely
honest. And when see Aunt Jane
htilnotized- -by this Violet person.
sAnd indeed have seen no reason
4, think that Miss Higglesby-Br