The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-01-28
Continued from Page p

have as passenger tins rr1p u farge.
interesting person, by name John Stu
art Webster?" added Billy Geary.
II don't know, Billy. I'll look over
the passenger list" md together they
moved off toward his Office. Dolores
followed, drawn by the mention OF
that magic name Webster, and paused
in front of the purser's office to lean
over the rail, ostensibly to watch the
cargadores in their lighters clustering
around the great ship, but in reality
to learn more Of the mysterious Web
ster.
"Rlast the luck" Billy Geary
growlel, "the old sinner isn't here. BY
the way, do you happen to have
Miss Dolores Ruey aboard?"
Dolores pricked up her little ears.
What possible interest could this
stranger have in her goings or COM
ings?
"You picked a winner this time,
BILL" she heard the purser say.
"Stateroom sixteen, boat-deck, star
board side. You'll probably find her
there. packing to go ashore"
"Thanks," Billy replied and stepped
out of the purser's1 office. Dolores
turned and faced him.
Il am Miss Ruey," she announced.
IT heard you asking for me-" Her
eyes carried the query she had not put
into words: "Who are you, and That
10 you want?" Billy saw and under
stood, and on the instant a wave Of
lcsolation surged over him.
So this was the. vision he had volun-
teered to meet aboard La Estrellita,
and by t.specious lie and hypoeriic
mien, turn her back from the portals
of Buenaventura to that dear old
United States, which, Billy suddenly
recalled with poignant pain, is a siz-
able country in which young lady
may very readily be lost forever. With
the quick eye Of youth, he noted that
Dolores was perfectly wonderful In
white flannel skirt and jacket white
buck boots, white panama hat with
gorgeous puggaree, n mannish little
linen collar, and red four-in-hand
tie. From under that white hat peeped
a profusion Of crinkly brown hair with
a slightly reddish tinge to it.; her eyes
were big and brown and wide apart,
with golden fecks in them; their
glance met Billy's hungry gaze simply,
directly, and with curiosity there
was no attempt to hide. Her nose
was patrician; her beautiful short up
per lip revealed the tips Of two per-
feet, milk-white front teeth: she was,
Billy Gcary told himself, goddess
before whom all low. worthless, ornery
fellows like himself should grovel and
die happy, if perchance she might be
50 minded as to walk on their faces!
lie was aroused from his critical in
ventory when the houri spoke again:
"YCu haven't answered my question.
sir!"
"No," said Billy, IT didn't. Stupid
of me, too. However, come to think
of it, you didn't ask me any question.
You looked it. My name is Geary--
William H. Geary, by profession a
mining engineer and by nature an
i"noramus. and l have called to de-
liver some disappointing news regard
ing Henrietta Wilkins"
SIS She"
"She is. Very much alive and in ex.
cellent healthier rather was. the last
time it was my pleasure and privilege
to call on the dear lady. But she isn't
in Buenaventura now" Mentally Billy
asked God to forgive him his black
hearted treachery to this winsome girl.
lie loathed the task he had planned
and foisted upon himself, and moth
ing but the memory of Mother jerks
lEs67I