Nedra

d exchanging rare witticisms with Veath, who also appear

a turn on

nclude me?"

answered Gr

d Hugh, swallowing as

Grace. "I won't delay yo

coat and some cig

ter to post at Malta," said

tateroom, and he called to him to step to the

everal minutes he stood glaring at the upper corner of his berth; then he said something strong. Every vestige o

s half way up, his arms extended. Lord Huntingford's daughter plunged into them, and he literally carried her to the foot. She was

lady sat down upon the second step before answ

a step and I fell. It was so clumsy of me. I might hav

"Somebody'll get hurt here some day. But, really, are you q

of them. I am not hurt at all. Let me thank you,"

t you?" he a

ave my preserver perform the office of a crutc

answered her wondrous smile with one that reflected bew

lost the opportun

nly turning in their direction, Hugh perceived that they were not there; nor were they anywhere in sight. He was pondering over their wher

ening, M

t the smiling face of the young lady who had

by her unexpected greeting. "Have--ha

I fell against you." She stood with one hand upon the rail, quite close to him, the moonlight playing

? You could not have hurt me

sterious eyes swept over him for a second, resting at last upon those which looked admirin

ath a moment ago. It may be of no consequence to you, yet I

me was Veath, and that you were--were"--here she smiled tant

e fool conclusions I've ever heard, that is the worst. In lov

Veath on board, is t

g into the American Rev

itive that I was told it was Mr. Vea

marry another chap." Here he gulped painfully. "But please don't breathe it to a soul. She'd hate me

n we leave the ship we may be parting forever, so her secret would be safe, even thou

t know. We may s

s not a thing of th

is, I mean, c

a. The light breeze blew the straying raven hair away from her temples, leaving the face clearly chiselled out of the night's inkiness. Hugh's heart thumped strangely as he noted her evident intention to remain on deck. She tu

ou good-night

s early and it is so charming to-night." He looked into her eyes again and found that she was gazing searchingly into

well forward. The young lady scorned a steamer rug, so he sat beside her, conscious that, despite her charmi

omething mournful seemed to shade the brilliant face now and then. It did not come and go, moreover, for the frank, open beauty was always the same; it was revealed to him only at intervals. Perhaps he sa

th, isn't it?" demand

we should be mistak

e, except in height. How broad he is! Hasn't he a wonderful bac

that on

lders like his, I should say. Yo

ts and then, as if remembering, said that he would be hap

pproached. He was peering intently at the people in the

ce of annoyance in her face as she also arose. "I overheard him telling the

nd turned sha

r. Ridge?" sh

ying Captain Shadburn ab

brow and then through her hair in evident perplexity, all the while stari

e, don't

w wh

that I am not Lor

are not his daughter," gasped

dy Hunti

s w

s w

o more than doff his cap as she took the a

ght, Mr.