Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-02-14

gered by any foolish quarreling over
women"
The unwisdom OF making an enemy
of Clements and his gang Of crooks
made Bettington alter his truculent
manner. He had yet to get to the
bottom Of the plot and gauge the
strength of its instigators.
"Tm not anxious to quarrel" he
said more pleasantly. "but I'm of just
as independent a nature as you your
self. You'll pardon me now, but I
have to dress for dinner"
1t amused him to think how startled
Clements must be behind that smile
Of his. to listen to a declaration of
independence from one over whom he
thought he held the threat Of life
imprisonment. Bettington knew that
when the right moment came 1t would
be easy to prove his integrity. Until
then, he could play the part assigned
to him, with just as good grace as
Clements the autocrat could act the
steward. assume his livery and wait
upon an impatient employer
Bettington never forgot that first
dinner aboard the Albatross. Railway
looked straight ahead of him, needing
nothing. It was only when his plate
was set before him, filled with the
chefs rich delicacies. that he seemed
awake. He had been drinking steadily
since luncheon and drink made him
hungry.
Mary Unwin was disguised. She
had no fear of her employer. She had
never liked him now for his behavior
to Mrs. Railway. she hated him. She
was glad when Bettington came in.
She smiled at him. 1t seemed to her
that he and young Crosby Todd were
the only men aboard whom one could
trust. Captain Hallett was gruff and
soured. The others watched her with
eyes aflame. And she, like the others,
turned her head from the ever smil-
ing. suave steward.
There was little conversation at the
wretched meal AS Mrs. Railway
passed to her stateroom with Mary,
leaving her husband still at the table,
Sne turned to Bett1ngton.
ION deck. later. should like to
speak to you"
He bowed In answer. The spoken
word would have betrayed his glad
ness.
He went out on deck to wait, with
what patience he could summon, for
Mrs Railways coming. Mary was
looking up at the wireless. The oper-
ator was receiving news of the day
for his bulletin. Clements had al
lowed the machine to be repaired.
Bettington was glad to believe that
this lad was clean and honest. Tubby
Unwin's two defenseless children
might, ere long, have need Of all that
was clean and honest on the AL
batross.
He had feared Mrs. Railway would
be saddened by the cherries dinner.
He did not want to see her unhappy.
Now he was amazed to find her smil-
ing and vivacious.
Let us walk she commanded.
Every voyage I take mean to learn
which stars are which and how sail
ormen can stand by them. What's
that bright thing up there?"
venus" he said. "She is the eve
ming star this month. Most mariners
steer by her too readily"
"And these mariners Clements has
gathered together-what do you know
of them?"
Every little" he said. "but don't
like them"
Directly came aboard knew
something was wrong here" she said.
"A sense of dissonance." She paused
a moment. Even more than that, but
impossible to put into words Per-
haps it was certain sense Of dread,
a feeling that Clements, in a past in
carnation. was the spider who asked
the fly to step into his parlor."