New Britain herald., 1925-02-21
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incurs because Of a mutual love for
 Mary Manning, daughter of the owner, who is passenger. At Cape Town, Stevens is superseded as cap- tain by Drake. whose lawyers have seen to the purchase of the Oron- tes during its cruise. In his new role of master, Drake becomes cold and dignifed in the presence of Mary. Stevens, now chief mate, finds time to follow his suit.
 There are numerous conflicts be- tween Stevens and Drake.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 T see you are, Mister Stevens" nodded Drake. What was that you answered when I spoke to you just now?"
 \ How do know? Can a man re- member the words he says when he's half drowned? Might ha' said anything"
 T remembered what l said," pur- sued Drake, evenly. 1I asked what you let those fowls out for. I be- lieve I called you a clumsy fool"
 "Ay, and I told you to go plumb to hell!" shouted Stevens in mad rage. What about it? Hey?g What about it?"
 T see you do remember. You'll apologize, Mister Stevens"
 "I'll see you damned."
 Mary stepped into the compan- ionway, her hands pressing at her hot cheeks. There stood two men. Both had wooed her, each after his own fashion. She saw bitter con- flict abrewing between them now, far more bitter than any before. And now she could not be sure where the victory would go. She knew Stevens for an iron man; would Drake prove true steel? And, most disturbing of all things, there was a subtle doubt in her heart now whether she wanted iron or steel to endure. It was a new doubt conceived and born within the briei space of time that rolling sea took to upset things. And it frightened her as she had never felt frighten- ed before.
 '1'll see you damned" repeated Jake Stevens, and swung on his heel with flnality in every line Of his big body and bold head
 At Six bells, Mister Stevens, you will bring an apology to my cabin,'' said Drake in the same even tone. Otherwise, you will complete the passage in the forecastle."
 Stevens flashed around at that But Drake had gone below as he uttered the words, scarcely noticing Mary as she covered in the dim companionway. As for Mary, she shrank as far from him as she could, then, terrified by the apalling sense of calamity which over whelmed all her earlier fears and made them seem childish, she ran out on deck and gripped Stevens by the arm.
 "Oh, Jake, don't start more trouble." she pleaded, and the eyes which she raised to his astonished face were brimming over.
 What do you care?" he retorted with a bitter laugh. You want to see that dude walk hobnailed over me. don't you?"
 T care more than you think, Jake" she persevered. And you didn't tell him to go to hell when he almost got clubbed to death dragging you out of that drunken fight in Cape Town" Her eyes were big and dark and angry now, and she met his gaze directly.
 If you're half the man you say you are. you'll be at the captains door with your apology at six bells" she said. Then she turned and left him.
 But at six bells he knocked on Drake's door, cap in hand.
 CHAPTER EX
 The Miners Kiss
 Mary spent a lot of time over her toilet that evening. She went in to supper dressed as if for gay party.
 Drake. thrilled with her spark ling vivacity, yet resented those few moments she had spent on deck. He knew quite well what it must have cost the mate 10 make that grumbling apology awhile ago. Yet Mary ought to know that he did not like her to break his rule about speaking to the mate while on watch.
 Mary" he started to say you must not"
 "Oh, just a minute" she inter- rupted him, Springing up and run- ming to her cabin. While digging into her trunk for pretty clothes to wear at supper, she had taken out q nah jongg set purchased in Cape Town. She had almost forgotten sho had it. But sight of it reminded her that it might we'll serve a good turn yet; and she had laid it on her bunk. Now, through sheer necessity to stop the reprimand that was on his lips, she flew to the game as to a refuge from something terrible.
 So they played at playing a game which neither knew, and which Jake Stevens knew still less, since he had never heard of the game. Such a muddle they. made of it. But it diverted their thoughts.
 Even the steady rush of the well come breeze did not blow away that perfect politeness which had become the accepted relation be- tween Captain Drake and his first mate. Try as she might Mary could not keep her mind of that outward form of friendship which she felt sure was but the shining cloak covering an evil thing. It was the one thing, so far as she saw, keeping utter peace from the ship.
 Off watch, Jake Stevens often chatted with her in lightsome hu- nor. That alone made her afraid.