, 1923-08-22

Romance
of the
Bahamas


Doh ShNCi ~ 'oNANt Saiu ohCi-
tor gravely. That's the easiest sort
of can that ever folly put into a mans
mouth. Go On."
you're right" said Radcliffe. "All
the same Society gals one at times
when the thought of 1t comes up
against something alive and fresh and
free from snobbery like Jude. Well,
things went On and IN. l hadn't much
time for thinking, undermined as we
were; and that was the fatal thing. for
/ absorbed her without thinking-not
her face or body. but her character.
You know that, undermined and close
together on a tub like the Sarah, char.
acter Is the thing that shows and
counts, and at every hands turn hers
showed up and got a tighter grip on
me. II wasn't a character all jam,
either, but 1t was a thing to count on
n zeal as the sea-you can't under.
stand.'
Shelton suddenly showed a flash of
irritation.
Come up to the point" said he.
Are you, after what I've said, still
fixed in your purpose? Are you going
to marry herr"
"As soon as ever l can get a priest
off to the old Sarah" replied Radcliffe.
THAT is your last word?"
YES"
very WELL" said SHELTON. His man.
ner changed. He had done what he
could it was useless.
Every WELL" said he, "go ahead.
After all, it's not my affair; but I'll be
interested to know how you get On.
By the way. I have some gear of yours
on board"
Take it back. will you, like a good
chap" said the other, land leave 1t
with the yacht people at Southamp.
ton? I'll pick 1t up there when l re-
turn"
You are coming back"
"Oh, rather: but not for a year or
so, maybe. I've a lot to do. and when
you see us nex maybe you'll agree
He stopped short and relit his cigar,
and they hung silent, each engaged in
his WI thoughts.
Now. on the warm sea-scented air
entering through the open ports, came
a voice.
1t was the voice of the second off
GER. addressing some n oversize.
Hi, therel Bring her round to the
quarter-boat davits; she's to come
aboard"
That's the dinghy" said Shelton
II told them to bring her aboard. III
send you back in the pinnace."
Again anne the voice.
Hi. there! Are you deaf? Brins
her round to the quarter-boat davits
she's to ONE aboard"
Then Jude's fresh young voice:
"Gar'nl She's ours: old Popplecocl
gave her to Satan. Whacha talkin,
about?"
"very WELL" came the others. "Yo,
wait till Sir William m on deck.
Shelton with a grim smile turned t,
the door. He pointed to the clock OF
the bulkhead.
Tn going OF deck" said he. use,
that clock-promise me TO stick herr
for two minutes by II and think RICH
over the matter for the last time
Don't let anything l have said weigl
with you"
He went on deck and. keeping clea,
of the rail, entered into conversatio
with the first officer.
Three minutes passed, and Rat
cliffe's head appeared al the saloor
hatch.
"Going?' said SHELTON.
YES" said Radcliffe.
Fright You car keep the dlngh,
Its a wedding present. Lucki !"
Same TO you !" said Radcliffe.
He gripped the others hand. and tn,
grip was returned. The two men ha,
neve been so close to each other be
fore. never would be again.
Two hours later the Dryad, queen
ing II over the satin-smooth harbor
dipped her flag to the humble littl,
Sarah. and the Sarah dipped her fin,
to the Dryad. and some one in tn,
Wedding Present lying alongside tn,
Sarah waved a hat.
SHELTON. Mt the after rail, fixed hi
binoculars on the hat-waver. 1t wa
Satan.
! ITtrE EN-n