The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 14

asked Mr. Willing smiling.

Bristow took a threatening step forward, but now d.i.c.k took a hand.

"That's enough of this," he said sternly, and putting forth a hand he pushed Bristow back.

The latter's face turned a dull red, and he struck at d.i.c.k, who promptly slapped him across the face. d.i.c.k also was angry now.

"You shall pay for that blow," shouted Bristow. "I can't fight you now, but when I have completed my work I shall seek you out."

"I won't be very hard to find," declared d.i.c.k. "Now get out."

He took the infuriated Bristow by the neck and the bottom of the coat and ran him out the door. Then he closed it after him.

"Rather a fiery young man, that," remarked Colonel Ashton grimly.

"Rather," agreed Mr. Willing dryly. He turned to the other room and called: "Shirley! Mabel!"

A moment later the two girls came forth. Mr. Willing looked at them severely for some moments before he spoke.

"You should both be ashamed of yourselves," he said at last. "The idea of such foolishness. Why, you have never quarreled before."

"And there will be no more of it," declared Colonel Ashton grimly. "At the next sign of trouble we shall turn right around and go home."

"Well, Mabel started it," declared Shirley.

"I did not, you started it," exclaimed Mabel.

"Shirley!" said Mr. Willing.

"Mabel!" exclaimed Colonel Ashton.

The girls became silent, but continued to glare at each other.

Then, suddenly, a smile broke over Shirley's face. Her father breathed more freely. Even Colonel Ashton looked at the two girls eagerly.

Then Shirley advanced toward Mabel and held out her hand.

"I'm sorry for what I said, Mabel," she declared earnestly.

For a moment Mabel hesitated, but for a moment only. Then she jumped quickly forward, and ignoring her friend's outstretched hand, threw her arms around her and broke into tears.

"It was all my fault," she sobbed. "You didn't say anything."

"Yes I did, too," said Shirley. "It was as much my fault as it was yours."

"No it wasn't."

"Yes it was."

"It was not."

The two girls drew back from each other.

"I say it was," declared Shirley.

"And I say it wasn't," declared Mabel.

"What is the matter with you two?" demanded Mr. Willing, stepping between them.

"Nothing, Dad," said Shirley, smiling again. She turned again to Mabel.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly.

"And so am I," said Mabel.

Once more they fell into each other's arms, laughing happily. Then, arm in arm, they turned and made their way to their own rooms, absolutely ignoring the presence of the others.

d.i.c.k, who had felt decidedly uncomfortable during this scene, grinned foolishly. Colonel Ashton laughed aloud, and Mr. Willing smiled.

"Funny things happen, my boy," exclaimed the latter, slapping d.i.c.k on the back. "You learn something every minute."

And in the other room Mabel said:

"We shall never, never quarrel again."

"Never!" agreed Shirley.

CHAPTER IX.-ADRIFT.

In the distance the Cuban city of Havana was slipping slowly from sight.

Aft on the promenade deck Shirley, Mabel and the others of the party, together with many other pa.s.sengers, were casting last looks at the island metropolis.

The sun was just sinking below the horizon, but there were still several hours before darkness would fall. The view was indeed picturesque and the pa.s.sengers were impressed with it.

The steamship _Yucatan_ was now on the last leg of her journey toward Colon.

In the main salon a crowd of men had gathered. On the upper deck, the gallery deck, the promenade deck and the main deck they had also gathered in knots. They blocked the main staircase and the exits from the engine room below.

A group somewhat larger than the rest had a.s.sembled about the captain's cabin. A close observer would have noticed that each man among these different groups wore a peculiar little b.u.t.ton in the lapel of his coat.

Each group was silent. It appeared that they were waiting for something.

Now a young man appeared and spoke to the first group holding his open watch in his hand. Then he pa.s.sed on to the next, then to the next, until he had approached all. Then he took his place with the others near the bridge, and waited, watch in hand.

Suddenly he pulled a little whistle from his pocket, put it to his lips, waited a moment, and then blew a shrill blast, that penetrated to the farthest part of the ship.