u not let me see how you have prepared his hands? I
mean, how have you,--is it right to say fixed them?"

"Dressed them, you mean, Madame Obosky."

"I see. First you undress them, then you dress them, is it not so?"

Ruth Clinton laughed. The woman was quaint.

"I am about to begin on the left hand. You may watch me, if you care to
do so."

"Will it not make you embarrass?"

"Why should I be embarrassed?" inquired Ruth, flushing.

"I have said the wrong word," lamented the other. "Nervous,--zat,--that
is the word."

"They're not very lovely things to look at," said Percival. "All red and
blistery and greasy. Miss Clinton is a regular heroine to tackle 'em."

"I have witnessed some very terrible sights, Mr. Percival," said
the Russian, her eyes narrowing. "Have you ever seen a little Jewish
girl,--but no, Mademoiselle, no! I have catch the look in your eyes. I
shall not tell you what I have seen. Go on! I shall be silent and take
my first lesson."

Closely, intently she watched the process. When it was all over and the
bottle containing ointment had been restored to the patient's pocket,
she spread out her hands and exclaimed:

"It is not difficult. May I inquire where the gauze bandages are to be
obtained, Miss Clinton? And do you always use the same safety pins?"

She arose early the next morning. Rousing her maid, she ordered her to
apply to the ship's surgeon for bandages and to fetch them to her at
once.

"I know,--yes, I know. You are dying, but do as I tell you. This
instant! Why should you, a great hulking beast of a woman, be dying
every minute of the day while I, not half your size, am tingling all
over with life? Go!"

"But, Madame," groaned the wretched woman, rolling her eyes, "I shall
be dashed to pieces against the walls. I cannot stand. My legs will not
hold me up. They--"

"Enough! That is no excuse. My legs manage to hold me up."

"But, Madame, it is my legs I am speaking of. My legs are not like
yours."

"Any fool can see that," retorted her mistress, and the ungainly maid
staggered out on her mission.

Later on, supplied with a roll of gauze, Madame Obosky set out in quest
of her preserver. Even the veterans among the seamen gazed upon her
in wondering admiration as she made her way about the ship. She was a
revelation to them. The increasing fury of the storm had driven all save
the hardiest sailors and a few of the non-praying male passengers to
their rooms. Now and then one