The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-03-19

Now. thru sheer necessity 90 stop the
rcprlmapd that was on his lips. she
flew 60 the game as 60 a refuge from
something terrible,
So they played az playing a game
which neither knew, and which Jake
Stevens knew stlll less since he had
never heard OF the game, Such a
muddlc they made OF it, but Il d.
vcrtod their thoughts,
Even the steady rush OF tho well
come breeze did not blow away that
perfect polhcncss which had become
the accepted relation between Cap.
tain Drake and his first mate, Try
as she might. Mary could not keep
her mind or that outward form of
friendship which she fclt sure was
hut the shining cloak covering an
evil thing II was the one thing, 80
far as she saw. keeping utter peace
from the ship.
orr watch Jake Stevens often
chatted with her IN lishJsomc humor
That alone made her afraid,
lie stood beside her on the poop
one dogwateh
Mary. l wanted 20 talk with you
long time now said Jake Stevens.
with something like awkwardness in
his manner
'why. Jake. l AM always glad to
talk to YOU" sho smiled. turning a
bold face upon the problem. what
is 81 Something on your mlnd7 Not
been having words with Captain
Drake
BLAST Captain Drakcr he spat
florccly She shrank back into her
chair. and he solicncd amazingly.
laying a hand as light as u chllds on
her shoulder his blue eyes darkon-
ing with apology Forgive that.
MARY, II isn't easy for me 10 hear
YOU speak his namc' l want TO tell
you something. How long have we
been friendss"
"oh. ages cried Mary, looking 40
sharply az his tone. His expression
went straight 20 her heart
How longf no insisted
''Smcc was 10 years old. isn't ~
know was a mite or hid. when
you Joined the Oroutes. Jake
Ten years Ten years, How long
have you known this man Alden
Drakor"
II can't say exactly"
Say ten weeks, Whereabouts. any
way" Ha supplied the estimate for
her. She wondered what he was
driving az. Mr. Twining stood beside
the wheel. giving the newest apprcn.
tice lesson In cunning hclmsmRn-
ship. She did not feel 10 utterly Do.
serted And she knew that Drake
was at hlsidcsk Just beneath one Of
those open skyiights little abaft tho
eompAnionway. she was safe She
could detect no trace Of liquor She
could afford TO smile up at him.
brightly inquisitlye
"weli7"
He grew more III AZ ease. Ills feet
shifted and hts big hands crumplsd
up tho feecy shsspskin until ahe
wanted 20 scream at him He NUT
tered as II the words stuck Then.
with rush. no said.
You kissed that miner chap on
the Green Point road"
The surprise OF (, left her staring
at him with lips parted and blue
eyes NJ their widest. Something iu
her face must have comfor,ed him.
for he smiled. Bewildersd tho Hho
was at the apparently irrelevant
turn OF his talk. she was obliged 10
smile back at him in very relief that
he smiled
What did you do II for7''
Really. 1 don't know. Impulse.
perhaps / felt rlad that horrid
fight was over and you were safe"
'Ill tell YOU" said Jake. and the
smile lowered over him again. uu.
certainly now. declining TO settle.
You said you kissed him because
no had savod the life OF the man
you Then you stopped. But you
meant the man you loved didn't you.
Nary" Her eyes fen before his
dark. passionate gaze. There wns
wistful note in his voice, too. which
saddened her. she knew well enough
what was coming next
Did you mean me. Mary? or did
you mean
ITO he Continued
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