Nedra

England and the Far East, and for ten years under the command of Captain Shadburn, formerly of the British Navy. For the elopement was

ide of the world, running away from nothing but a foolish aversion, the girl had felt her heart grow cold with a nameless dread, a clammy fear that she had undertaken something that she could not accomplish. Almost hourly each

his recklessness, he remembered with sardonic satisfaction that he had left in the safety vault, in Chicago, a full statement of their plans and intentions, with instructions to have the seal broken on March 30th, one year after date of deposit. If anything happened to them, this was to be the means of shedding light on the mystery. And when in New York he had d

r and dragged slowly into clearer waters, the knowledge that they were irrevocably consigned to the consummation of their project acted on him like a stimulant. Just before going on board he had asked, half-fearfu

as she replied. Instead, there was a flicker indicating injured pride, fo

ll you that I would go to th

e sea," he interposed, seizing her

st happiness to think that some day we shall reach Manila, where our dear adventure may have its second and most delightful e

hey sail

ined. Passage and accommodation had been booked

ce was awakened by a rattl

called a well-known v

ank you. Is it

ld say

nst her hat on the steamer trunk, ducked slowly toward her as if bowing a polite good-morning, and then fell face downward. Miss Vernon rubbed her eyes and stared at the overturned picture for a full minute before resuming her toilet. Then she laughed nervously and made all haste to get on deck. She

d. The left, she concluded, and forthwith applied her pretty knuckles to the panel; vigorously. The door flew open, almost t

e a mistake. This isn't Mr.--my brother's room, is it? Oh, d

nger, stepping forth. He had a very pleasant

turbed you," and she was pounding on the other door. She glanced back at the stranger's door

in and--no response. The calm voice of

going on deck. Straight ahead. That's right." He calle

en the words. Hugh met her at the bottom of the s

d I am to see you. Where ha

portant on this ship as on the other. I've been on deck for a look. Say, are you all rig

g away with you. But come,--take me on deck. Is it raining? Why, your coat is wet. Hurry, Hugh; I want to take a good l

ng dumbly at the bleak waste before her,

nally asked, terrified for t

m stealing about her. "We are on the bounding main, ticketed for a

aden sky and rolling waves. What her thoughts were during the silence that foll

ill always b

ilent beneath the awning which covered the promenade, the sleety rain pattering dismally over their head

any longer of keeping a sharp lookout for detectives? Those days on the Atlantic, every other man I met I thought was

he told him of the mistake she had made, and together they scanned their fellow-passengers in search of the man who occupied the

ngry. He was making a brave effort to conquer the sickness which had seized him. She nudged Hugh and nodded tow

st beginning to feel sick when you yanked him out

oor. If he were sick, why did he open it and st

temerity to visit him before breakfast. Nice-looking fellow, though, I'll say that much for your sak

ed his face," she

y looked down when you saw your mistake, of course, but I don't

ticed whether his fac

rticularly good-looking with that

cts; he was not eating at all. Instead, he was merely toying with his fork, making uncertain circles in the layer of brown, gravy which cov

compassionately; "he's bee

ssly. "They don't go to eating in a d

and they danced with merriment as

right. He's a detective

noticed that his eyes were blue and bloodshot, wan and fatigued. He gave Grace a second glance, sharper than the fi

the table she

tands it was a mistake, doesn't he?" Hugh

otwithstanding the pleasant weather, there was a heavy sea running, the ship rolling uncomfortably for those who were poor sailor

admiringly at Grace now and then. Her cheeks were warm and glowing, her eyes were

ir nearby and his long body moved swiftly toward it. Then came a deep roll, the deck seemed to t

sinking in a heap. Miss Vernon gave a little shriek of alarm and pity, and Ridgeway sprang to the side of the f

ed. "I am so very awkw

forehead." She instantly extended her handkerchief, and he accepted it in a bewildered s

lly, and at once produced the article from his capacious pocket-

as using her handkerchief for the purpose, soiling it, perhaps. His face flushed deeply and an embarrassed gleam came to his ey

bly. As she looked into his clear blue eyes and his square, firm fac

il it at all

rude of me, to take yours when

Hugh?" she asked, holding up a piece of b

tter consult a surgeon," he said. "A

said cheerfully.

the doctor,"

ked solicitously. For an instant their eyes looked steadily, unwaveringly, into each other,--one of thos

h dashed away and soon returned with a glass of brandy, which the stranger swallowed meekly and not very gracefully.

have crushed you. I shall endeavor to repay you both for your kindness."

to walk deck in a rough sea. But pardon me, you are an American like our

he bowed. "I am so glad to meet my own countrymen a

od sailor?"

ay readil

-day. Are you going t

way they've sent me, but poor men must go where opportunity points the way. I assure you t

on, I should say,"

t is all new to me, so it does

, and something told him what the answer wo

nil