nd me out,
that I imposed on your kindness."

"That I will not do."

"Act as you please. There are empty chairs at the second-class table,
among the natives. And now, good-by. The happiest hours in ten long
years are due to you." He took off his helmet and stepped aside for
her to pass. She held out her hand, but he shook his head. "Don't
make it harder for me."

"Mr. Warrington, I am not a child!"

"To me you have been the Angel of Kindness; and the light in your face
I shall always see. Please go now."

"Very well." A new and unaccountable pain filled her throat and forced
her to carry her head high. "I can find my way back to the other deck."

He saw her disappear down the first ladder, reappear up the other,
mingle with the passengers and vanish. He then went forward to the
prow and stared down at the water, wondering if it held rest or pain or
what.

XII

THE GAME OF GOSSIP

During the concluding days of the voyage Elsa had her meals served on
deck. She kept Martha with her continually, promenaded only early in
the morning and at night while the other passengers were at dinner.
This left a clear deck. She walked quickly, her arm in Martha's,
literally propelling her along, never spoke unless spoken to, and then
answered in monosyllables. Her thoughts flew to a thousand and one
things: home, her father, episodes from school-life; toward anything
and everywhere like a land-bird lost at sea, futilely and vainly in the
endeavor to shut out the portrait of the broken man. In the midst of
some imaginary journey to the Sabine Hills she would find herself
asking: What was he doing, of what was he thinking, where would he go
and what would he do? She hated night which, no longer offering sleep,
provided nothing in lieu of it, and compelled her to remain in the
stuffy cabin. She was afraid.

Early Wednesday morning she passed Craig and Mallow; but the two had
wit enough to step aside for her and to speak only with their eyes.
She filled Craig with unadulterated fear. Never had he met a woman
such as this one. He warned Mallow at the beginning, without
explaining in detail, that she was fearless and dangerous. And, of
course, Mallow laughed and dragged along the gambler whenever he found
a chance to see Elsa at close range.

"There's a woman. Gad! that beach-comber has taste."

"I tell you to look out for her," Craig warned again. "I know what I'm
talking about."

"What's she done