The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-07-17

like, even to you" He laughed, with
sudden brilliant smile. But will
say this: 1 love your sister and I
as / was about to speak, she met in
my sisters house"
your sisters house7"
Edith Grant is my sister. That's
her stage name. And now your sister
has gone, thinking all sorts of things
about me, and I can't get to her to
tell her. and I don't know where to
write"
Bess hesitated. The young mans
very apparent misery went to her
heart. Just between you and me-"
she said, at last, Captain Bunker has
orders to meet father and Nellie some
where. You might send letter by
him. But remember, it's a dead Sc
cret."
"Ohw Carr's eyes widened. $50
that's where" He broke off, and
stared over the girls shoulder. who
Is that standing with the lady by the
companionway" he asked.
Bess' eyes followed the direction of
his. That's Lord George Caruthers."
she said. do you know himf"
Carr's eyes grew introspective. "I
am not sure" he said. HE looks to
me like-er-" He broke off. "Well,
maybe I'm wrong" he said. But he
certainly looks like-somebody 1
know" His expression showed plainly
that his thoughts, whatever they were,
were not pleasant.
Mrs. Archman's glance, rowing about
the deck, settled on her daughter and
Carr. She flushed, and started In
stantly toward the two, over the clut-
tered deck "Bessw she called, as she
drew nearer.
Bess faced her calmly. "Tm so glad
you've come, mother" she said. II
want you to meet Mr.. Carr. He's su-
perintending the repairs on fathers
ship. Mr.. Carr, this Is my mother,
and Lord George Caruthers."
Lord George nodded in friendly
fashion. Mrs. Archman, however.
glared icily. The temperature had
dropped. "Oh, yes!" she said, with a
very slight inclination of her head.
you're the carpenter, believe, Mr..
Carr" She glanced at the chips on
the deck
Carr smiled. If he was abashed he
did not show 1t. "I'm trying to be
one," he answered coolly. "but I'm not
making very much of fist at 1t. I'm
always smashing my thumb" he ended
confidentially.
"Ahw Mrs. Archman raised her
brows. Then she turned her back de-
liberately. Come, Bess," she said.
captain Bunker is just coming on
board"
Bess nodded. "All right, mother"
she said. Then she turned to the
young man. Good morning, Mr..
Carr"
Carr's eyes were perplexed as he
stared after the three. Particularly
did his eyes follow the broad back OF
Lord George. $50 that's mothers plan
is It," he murmured disgustedly. "Con-
found the fellow. l know I've seen
him before, and 1t wasn't in England
either. Where the dickens was it?'
As the four reached the gangplank
Captain Bunker came up It. "Pm
sorry I wasn't on board when you
came" he said. II hope Mr.. Collins
made you at home"
"Mr. Collins was very NICE" re
sponded Mrs. Archman. But want
ed to see you particularly. captain"
"Certainly. VIII you come into the
chart house, madam"
Mrs. Archman nodded and followed
Captain" she said, as she took hel
seat, "where are you to meet my hus
band?"
If Captain Bunker was surprised he
did not show it. Il don't know
madam" he said. I'm sailing under
sealed ORDERS"
"What does that mean?"
81 have sealed letter, which I an
not to open till I get out to sea.
can't tell you where 1 am going. be
cause I don't know myself"
"Then you don't know whether yo,
are to meet him on an island? 1t 1.
important that 1 should know"
Captain Bunker shook his head. !"
know absolutely nothing" he pro
tested.
every well then listen to me-" Mrs
Archman recounted the events tha
told of the arrival of the map. 'In
sure this map was part of the stoleI
papers, and l am very anxious to ge
1t to my husband. I came down her,
to ask you to take 1t and give it tt
him when you saw him. But 1 have
changed my mind since l came"
"Ye-es." The captain did not know
what was coming.
"Yes! For reasons of my own,
want to get my son and daughter ava.
from New York. How many state
rooms can you have ready for passen
gers by the time you are ready t.
sail?"
The captain counted up on his fin
gers. "Six," he said.
"That will be enough, captain. w,
will all go south with you"
"But-my dear madam!" Captain