Page:In a Steamer Chair and Other Stories.djvu/99

Rh repartée, and his companion joined him with a laugh that was low and musical.

"He seems very sure of his ground," said she to herself. "Well, we shall see."

As they came to the end of the boat and passed behind the temporary wheelhouse which is erected there, and which is filled with débris of various sorts, blocks and tackle, and old steamer chairs, Morris noticed that two others were there before them, standing close together, with arms upon the bulwarks. They were standing very close together, so close, in fact, that, in the darkness, it seemed as if but one person was there. But as Morris stumbled over some chains, the dark, united shadow resolved itself quickly into two distinct, separate shadows. A flag pole stood at the extreme end of the ship, inclining backward from the center of the bulwarks, and leaning over the troubled, luminous sea beneath; the two who had taken their position first were on one side of the flag pole, and Morris and Miss Earle on the other. Their coming had evidently broken the spell for the others. After waiting for a few moments, the lady took the arm of the gentleman and walked forward.

"Now," said Morris, with a sigh, "we have the phosphorescence to ourselves."

"It is very, very strange," remarked the lady in a