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said very little while he sat there, and Elsie did not knohether to

laugh or cry at the tragic-co--she would like to box Boyle's ears She was

completely at a loss to account for his persistent efforts to drag in

references to their prior conversation She dared not catechize hi up more difficulties for the future But what

possessed hi details in the presence of

the two norance of them?

She peeped at Boyle sideways His eyes were closed, the cigar was

between his teeth, and he had a broad grin on his face She could not

guess that the once taciturn chief officer of the Kansas was saying

to hilared! There will be trouble on this ship

about a wo, or I'm a Dutchman An' didn't the skipper

rise at the fly, too! Huh!"

He uttered the concluding monosyllable aloud

"Did you speak?" inquired Elsie, severely

"Eh? No, Miss Maxwell"

"Oh, I thought you wanted to say so makes , Mr Boyle"