The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-01-29


in long, black. trailing robes-the fig
ure of the nun-shaving
She saw the uncovered, close
cropped head plainly from the shadow
of her bunk. and the white face as 1t
was reflected In the glass-a young
face markd with tense lines; not bad.
but perhaps little weak; boyish, In
spite of those terrible tight lines and
that unmistakable. chalky pallor.
Even the blue eyes had the strained
look suffering was stamped on every
feature and emphasized in the CHASTITY,
grayish morning light.
Then the fascination gave place to
fear and her lids contracted and shut
her back into darkness.
The mans movements were noise
less. save for the sound Of his razor.
Then came a dreadful interval of
absolute silence. during which her own
breathing seemed too deafening to be
borne.
What instant would she feel the
blade bite her Quivering throat2 Or
would 1t be swifter than the agony 1t
brought-the flaming, piercing, scarlet
!. agony!
Supine under the bewildering terror
she lay, not even Stimulating sleep. yet
appearing to sleep profoundly.
The man worked quickly and then
, slipped again into his berth, with
sigh Of relief.
Good morning, Miss Mamie Flynn,
cried the captain as she came out into
the bright morning light. "Sleep all
rightT
She nodded without speaking.
During breakfast she determined
what to do, but she could not make up
her mind Just how she would tell, and
when she was again at the captains
side she had regained her poise and
composure.
THAT'S mean-looking man." she
said. nodding her head toward the fig
, ure that had passed her just as she
came upon Captain Pilkins.
II seen him last night. If he amt
got the sneaking foX-face, walking
. around and popping up like jack-in-
the box
"Phewp' said the captain, and then
) laughed. He was the real fine old
= kind of sea dog, an he had fine
T old laugh. "Know who that Isl" he
laughed.
d mo" she answered, with some i'm
q patience; show should II
Captain Pilkins' face Strengthened
SWELL" said he impressively-but the
corners of his eyes crinkled-"thats
e Grant, the observation-disclosures Grant
/ Biggest man in the service.
Hes looking for young barrow
that broke Sing Sing two days ago
/ thinks he may be aboard this boat
J, There's a thousand reward up for
barrow"
Mamie Flynn drew in her breath
1 and opened her mouth-then shut II
q again. Far along the deck she caught
u sight Of two fgures-a man and
q slender girl-approaching
She watched as they drew near un
I'll the vision Of a worn and hunted
Y man lying on high little cot, swathet
| III DdnuaSeS, SuuCAihS ySs 1871
= strange, new light in his eyes, blurred
= everything for a moment; then shs
heard a tired voice say, brokenly
II "Some men never get a chance
Name"
ID Buckner Grant emerged from com
e panionway in time to see her wall
10 straight toward the two with hand
- extended, and say:
70 "Sister was asleep so l come gu
= still. I rested fine. And wasn't 1t fin
=" I seen you-Tm SO glad. I'm comini
ont to school to vespers Sunday afte
- next, sure.
~ Don't forget, give my love to Lizzi
~ McManus, will you, Miss Barson
&c Good-by; no--go down that way-dowl
~ them stairs back there. The gate t
- get off at is back there-ain't it, CAP
~ tain Pilkins?'
- Captain Pilkins bowed and salutet
and they turned in the direction ind
81 Gated, Mamie Flynn went along fe,
- steps. In fancy she saw the youn
e. e. wife sitting sewing, sewing on tn
: nuns garments. Were they correct |
- every detail or was the piercing gaz
Of Grant detecting some flaw. eve
. now?
Oh "Good-by, Miss Barson," she sal
again.
ou "Good-by, DEAR" came the answer
al There was no tremor in the swee
Young voice, but the last, swift wor
nt. dering look of the startled eyes hel
flash which swept over Mamie Flyn
40 like the peace of heaven, making he
". soul warm and glad.
y. She turned around, absolutely col
science-clear through the inward Ill,
We mination which followed instantly
en- and came back with almost strut
g. "Friends of yours?" said the cal
re- tain, smiling. in his nice way. Grar
Is still fingered near.
ne "Yep." she answered proudly. "Ain
Miss Barson grand? Sister just think
everything Of her and takes her ever,
I'm where. Amt she beautiful? Gee
think of her, maybe some day bein
irt a nun-Gee! Maybe-some day"
Ri and three mounted on movable pla