THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10464, 31 October 1911, Page 2

THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

CHAPTER Xlll—CSontinued

"Surely, yes." In tins emergency Mr. Talbot swallowed the allusion b.Alma to her husband, and in his excitement he had called her madam which usually applies to the married state. "I—-I have an idea," he continual. "The steamer following us is the Sardinia of tho Cunard line. She is faster than the Balearic. She and the Balearic are signalling, and she will stop abreast of us to render what aid is necessary. Now that we botli wish t-> go on.as fast as we can, we might arrange to be taken on board. It will only mean an additional outlay for passage on tho Sardinia, which the White Star Line will probably refund to us later."

"Do you tlunk you can manage it, Mr. Talbot?" Alma was almost weeping in her excess of gratitude for a chance to escape from Mustafa, and not be obliged to return to New York. "I —I fear, though you must think my actions and wishes rather strange." "Dear lady, I have had a chance to reflect within the last few minutes. I feel that we ought not to judge hastily or draw injurious inference from what we may not understand. lam entirely at your service, and I hope you will not hesitate to command me. " "You are very good, sir. lam truly doing what I believe to be right. One thing more. The man you saw leave me just now I wish to avoid. He has proved himself to bo untrue to me and treacherous to my husband. Ah! I see they are going to lower a boat. Perhaps we can go in that. Hurry, Mr. Talbot. I will gather my satchels and await you here.' "'All right then. Keep up your, courage. .Your luggage can follow you later on." And the reverend gentleman rushed off in search of the cap-

wun. Alma went below to her state room. The main saloon was yet misty with steam and most of the passengers were on deck. She hastily filled two handbags, saw that hev trunk checks were on her person, and turned to leave. Then the door opened from the outside and Mustafa Bey appeared, lookpale, yet resolved. . "Pardon this intrusion," he hastily began. "A boat is to leave for the Sardinia, now waiting near us. Passengers that wish to go on will be taken on board. Notwithstanding your present prejudice against me, I am still your husband's representative. . I think we had better go." Despite the alarm caused by his sudden presence, Alma divined that the man was desperate, and had made up his mind. To further dispute with him or denounce him would only cause delay, and moments were precious just then. They might be left as Mustafa, perhaps, hoped they would be. Even now the boat might be leaving.

"Very well," she coldly assented. "I am determined to push on. Let us go." Mustafa looked at her sharply, surprised at her ready acquiescence. Sbc--had her wraps and her satchel as she passed into the corridor, but turned suddenly, saying: "There, I 'have left a satchel. Please step back and get it. I really must have it with me."

The man. turned rcadi>y, but. faiiol to notice the state-room key was in the lock on the outside. Alma kuew this. While he bent to pick up the grip, ho heard the door Uci"g sharply, and the key turn. The trembling girl was flying from the saloon, up the compaaioivay and up on the deck, hearing behind her a faint echo, that was Mustafa calling for help. Flinging the key overboard, she hurried to meet the clergyman, who was looking for her. "We must hasten/ said he, "I was afraid I might miss you. We have not a moment to lose."

They ran forward, both more or less encumbered with the things, they had brought. Down a ladder, under the bridge, then along a narrow side c'.fck, railed on one side from the open sea. Another descent and they came to a large open port, with the boat dancing underneath. A ladder dangled, and Alma was assisted down somehow, Mr Talbot following. There were three more passengers already in the boat. The officer in sharge of it came down last, and ,took the tiller ropes. The oars dipped, people on board waved and shouted from the disabled-ship's var-

OUR SERIAL.

BY WILLIAM PER RY BROWN

j ious decks, and they were off, gliding | over tho oily swells until they were beneath the Sardinia's lofty side. "Please give yourself no uneasiness. I will see the purser and try to secure for you the best accommodation possible."

Alma thanked him with a grateful look, and told him that =he was able and willing to pay well. Once on deck she could see the Ralaeric very plainly. There was no sign of any commotion there now. On her bridge officers were signalling Fire,lsland concerning the accident, and ordering a tug to come, in order to tow back tho disabled ship.

The Balearic's boat was returning from the Sardinia, and with a sense of relief Alma felt thepropellor throb as tho Ounarder resumed her course, her further assistance not being needed. The distance between the two ships was widening, and the sun diping toward the edge of the sea in the west, Avhen Alma, through. Mr Talbot's marine glass saw a man rush out on the main deck.of the, Balearic, with violent gesticulations.

"That is Mustafa," she said to herself. "How did he get out? What does the fellow want?"

She saw him point toward the Sardinia; he ran on to the bridge; he acted in a generally demented manner —and Alma laughed.

"That seems to be someone trying to get the Balearic's boat to make a second trip," interpreted Talbot, who had returned from the purser. "I wonder why lie did not come with us?" Alma knew, but she only said: "Do you think we will wait for another boat?"

"No, indeed. This is one of the fast shins, and now that she has waited for one ooat and leaves-the Baleario out of danger, no fear that she will stop longer. The Sardinia ds a recordbreaker, and the time is too precious." Thia sounded good, and Alma was smiling brilliantly when she became aware that the clergyman had . been, followed by a lady and gentleman.

These last were a middle-aged, comfor-table-looking couple, perhaps a trifle overdressed, yet very kindly, wholesome looks and amiable manners. "I bring you friends," explained Mr Talbot. "Mr and Mrs Denton, of Denver, Colorado. I met them last year at Manitou. Hearing me mention your predicament to the purser, they came up at once. They knew Mr Marsovian well, and Mrs Denton thinks she remembers you." "Why, to be sure!" exclaimed that lady, after a good look. "It is seven years since I saw you at Cripple Creek, but I recall your pretty face quite well. How do you do, my dear?"

The husband was equally cordial, and Mr Talbot further explained to Alma how he had quickly arranged f->r staterooms, as travel going east was especially light tins season. "Well, now, this is quite the caper,"- said Mr Denton, after Amis had briefly explained where' sue' was 1 bound, though touching lightly upon her marriage to a dignitary of the Ottoman empire. "So you are going to Constantinople. Come! I like such round-ups as this* —where you least expect to find a friend.'' "It's just like meeting some one from home you know," assented .his wife, and they all grew very sociable. The appearance ,of the Dentons was a. godsend to poor Alma, who soon felt that, for a time at least, she would have the sheltering association of one of her own sex, who could bei at once a chaperon and a friend. (To be Continued.)