The Purchase Price | Page 9

steamers scarcely could be built
rapidly enough to accommodate it, and the young rails leaped westward
at a speed before then unknown in the world.
Carried somehow, somewhither, for some reason, on these surging
floods, were these travelers, of errand not wholly obvious to their
fellows, yet of such sort as to call into query alike the nature of their
errand and their own relations. It is easily earned repetition to state that
Josephine St. Auban's was a presence not to be concealed. Even such a
boat as the Mount Vernon offered a total deck space so cramped as to
leave secrecy or privacy well out of the question, even had the motley
and democratic assemblage of passengers been disposed to accord
either. Yet there was something in the appearance of this young woman
and her companion which caused all the heterogeneous groups of
humanity to make way for them, as presently they approached the
gang-plank.
Apparently they were not unexpected. The ship's clerks readily led the
way to apartments which had been secured in advance. Having seen to
the luggage of his charges, whom he disposed in a good double
state-room, the leader of the party repaired to his own quarters.
Tarrying no longer than to see his own luggage safe aboard, he
commanded one of the men to fetch him to the office of the captain.
The latter gentleman, busy and important, dropped much of his official
way when he found whom he was accosting. "This is quite unexpected,
sir," he began, removing his cap and bowing.

"Captain Rogers," began the other, "you have been advised to some
extent of my plans by telegram from Washington."
The captain hesitated. "Is this with the lady's consent? I must consider
the question of damages."
"There will be no damages. Your owners will be quite safe, and so will
you."
"Are there any charges of any kind against----?"
"That is not for you to ask. She is under my care, and must not
disembark until I say the word. You will kindly give her a place at my
table. There must be no idle curiosity to annoy her. But tell me, when
shall we reach the mouth of the river? Is it not possible to save some
time by avoiding some of the smaller stops?"
"But our freight, our passengers--" The captain passed a hand across his
brow, much perplexed. The other showed a sudden firmness.
"My errand demands secrecy and speed alike. There must be no
communication between this boat and the shore, so far as this young
lady is concerned. Meantime, if all is ready, it would please me
mightily if we could start."
The captain pulled a bell rope. "Tell the mate to cast off," he said, to
the man who answered. An instant later the hoarse boom of the boat's
whistles roared out their warning. There came a crush of late-comers at
the gangway. Shouts arose; deck hands scrambled with the last
packages of freight; but presently the staging was shipped and all the
lines cast free. Churning the stained waters into foam with her great
paddles, the Mount Vernon swung slowly out into the narrow stream.
[Illustration: The Captain pulled a bell rope.]
"Now, Captain Rogers," went on Captain Carlisle, tersely, "tell, me
who's aboard;" and presently he began to ponder the names which, in
loose fashion, the clerk assembled from his memory and his personal

acquaintance.
"Hm, Hm!" commented the listener, "very few whom I know. Judge
Clayton from the other side, below Cairo. State Senator Jones, from
Belmont--"
"You know Mr. Jones? Old 'Decline and Fall' Jones? He never reads
any book excepting Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
Always declines a drink when offered, but he's sure to fall a moment
later!" Thus the smiling clerk.
"Well, I may see Mr. Jones, possibly Judge Clayton. There's no one
else." He seemed not dissatisfied.
Alas! for human calculations and for human hopes! Even as he left the
captain's room to ascend the stair, he met face to face the very man
whose presence he least desired.
"Dunwody!" he exclaimed.
The gentleman thus addressed extended a hand. "I see you are safe
aboard. Myself, too, I am very glad."
"I thought you said you were going--"
"I was, but I changed my mind at the last moment. It is far more
comfortable going down by boat than it is by stage. Then, the thought
of the pleasure of your society on the journey--" He was smiling, rather
maliciously.
"Yes, yes, of course!" somewhat dismally.
"But now, to be frank with you, you don't seem altogether happy. Why
do you want to be rid of me? What harm have I done?" smiled
Dunwody.
"Oh, my dear sir!"
"May not one change his mind if he likes?"

"My