yed sailing. It's amusing to picture some
women on a sailing-trip----"

"And some men on a honeymoon," added Miss Mallory.

This delighted Framtree.... Sorenson was rather a ponderous Slav with
languages. He was not accustomed to conserve his thirst until
dinner-time. Indeed, he had brought aboard on this occasion an
appreciation for sparkling refreshments, that had been assiduously
cultivated during the long day. Already Sorenson had endangered his
domestic peace, through attentions, delicate as you would expect from a
bear that walked like a man. These were directed toward the American
woman. She broke every shaft with unfailing humor, and girded her
repugnance as added strength for the End. There were moments she did
not relish. Strain settled with the darkening day. She thought of the
face she had seen at her carriage at noon--a tortured face--and what he
had passed through since, cramped in the forecastle! Perhaps he was
unconscious from the heat and the suffocating place--and from the
illness she could never understand.... But in Miss Mallory all these
thoughts and conditions drew upon as perfect a nervous organization as
could be found anywhere in these complicated days--and it was over at
last.

Sorenson and his wife followed her on deck after supper, the other
three tarrying below. There was no moon. The breeze abaft the beam was
a warm, steady pressure that coaxed a whispering of secrets from the
sails, and sent the willing craft forward with her bow down to work,
and a business-like list. One Chinese was serving below. The remaining
two were squatted aft by the wheel. Madame Sorenson took a chair on the
cabin-deck, amidship. Miss Mallory moved past her and forward. The
thought in her brain was: If Sorenson follows me now, anything that
should happen to him is his own fault. She carried playfully a heavy
cane, found in the cabin. Sorenson embraced his own disaster in joining
her.

"How enticing the water looks!" she observed.

"It does 'pon my word," said the Russian.

Each noted that the foresail hid the face of Madame Sorenson, although
her shoulders were expressive.... The look upon Sorenson's flushed
features held Miss Mallory true to her latest inspiration.

"You are a good swimmer?" she asked in a lowered tone, but carelessly.

"Ah, yes, there are many grand swimmers in my country among the coast
men."

"You must have been on shipboard a great deal, Mr. Sorenson.... One can
always tell by the