ep eyes upon me.

"But you musn't be when I tell you something."

"What, Ernest Thornton?" demanded she, taking the alarm at once.

"Tom Thornton is on board of this steamer. Don't be alarmed; I will take
care of you. He shall not harm you, and he shall not take you away from
me."

"O mercy!" exclaimed she, turning as white as a sheet.

"Don't be disturbed, Kate. I think I can take care of him," I added,
with more confidence than I felt.

"What shall we do?"

"I don't know yet, but I will see. Leave it all to me, Kate. If he
speaks to you, answer him civilly."

"I could not speak to him. I shall faint away if he comes near me. O,
Ernest Thornton, I am frightened almost to death!"

"There is no need of your being alarmed. I don't think he desires to see
you half so much as he does me. I will put you in a safe place soon.
Come down into the ladies' cabin for the present."

She followed me, trembling in every fibre of her frame. I left her at
the door, bidding her keep out of sight as much as possible. A glance
along the main deck, in the vicinity of the captain's office, assured me
Tom was not there and I procured a state-room of the clerk. Going half
way up the stairs to the saloon, I discovered my pursuer. He was
evidently looking for me. I watched him till he had made the circuit of
the long apartment, carefully avoiding him. He then went below, to look
for me in other parts of the boat. He walked forward first, and I took
this opportunity to conduct Kate to the saloon again, and gave her the
state-room I had procured, telling her to lock herself in.

"Won't he find me here?" asked she, with quivering lips.

"No matter if he does: keep your door locked. I will knock four times by
two's. Don't open the door on any account till you hear my rap."

"I will not."

"I will keep watch on the outside. Now don't be alarmed. I will take
good care of you."

She closed the door, and I heard her lock it. I felt then that she, at
least, was out of Tom's reach for a time, and that I was in condition to
fight the battle alone. Large as the steamer was, it was impossible for
me to avoid a meeting with him, since he knew that I was on board. If he
had not seen me the case would have been different, and I might have
contrived to keep out of his way.

I could not help asking myself what I should do. I did not expect Tom
would resort to violence in the presence of hundreds of passengers. He
would fasten himself upon me,