or two of the courageous, devoted nurses
appeared in the corridors, reeling from patient to patient, but except
for them the ship seemed entirely bereft of women. Small wonder then
that the lithe, undaunted Russian created a sensation among the sailors
who themselves were cold with dread.

She discovered him at last, coming up the steps from the devastated
engine room. He was with Mr. Mott and several other half-dressed men.
Their faces were grave,--more serious than ever. They had been down to
investigate the leak. Percival was stripped to the waist. The glare of
the lanterns fell upon his broad shoulders and powerful arms, bronzed
and burnished by the sun of the high hills.

"Come," she said, laying her hand on one of his brawny arms, "I have
with me the bandages." She sent a swift glance over him, and smiled.
"But I see you have not the bottle. Is it in your cabin, Mr. Percivail?"

He flushed darkly under his coat of tan. His companions stared for a
moment, and then went on.

"I am busy," he said. "I haven't the time now, Madame Obosky. Thank you,
just the same." Then a sense of loyalty to the girl who had been kind to
him impelled him to add: "Besides, Miss Clinton has been taking care of
my hands. She has got used to dressing them, so I--"

"But it is my duty now," she protested. "She owes so little to you and I
so much. Come, let us procure the lotion. Where is your cabin?"

He held back. "You can't go to my cabin."

"And why not?" she exclaimed, in surprise. "Does not Miss Clinton go to
your cabin?"

"No, she does not!"

"But she goes to the cabins of other men who are wounded. I have see her
with my own eyes."

"That's different. They can't come to her."

She looked searchingly into his eyes.

"I see," she said after a moment. "You are in love with her."

"Ridiculous," he exclaimed, scowling.

"And so you prefer to have her fix your hands. I see, my friend. Voila!
If so is the case, I am outcast."

"But, confound it, it isn't the case," he cried. "It's simply this: I
wouldn't for the world have her feel that I am not grateful, and that's
exactly what it would look like if I allowed you or any one else to butt
in, Madame Obosky."

"Butt in?" she said, a puzzled look in her dark eyes. "What is that?"

"It's English for interfere," said he, shortly.

She removed her hand from his arm. He was conscious of the abrupt
termination of an exquisite thrill.

"Very well," she said, lifting her chin.