"Is Miss Ridge a--a missionary also?" "The very worst kind," replied Hugh cheerily. "Going out among the natives, I suppose?" "What natives?" "Why,--the Igorrotes, or whatever they are, of course." "Oh, of course--to be sure," cried Hugh hastily. "I am so d--d absent-minded." Veath stared in amazement. "You must not think it strange that I swear," said Hugh, mopping his brow. "I am not the missionary, you know." "Oh," was the other's simple exclamation. Another pause and then, "You don't mean to say that such a beautiful woman is going to waste her life among savages?" "She's got her head set on it and we think the only way to break her of it is to give her a sample of the work. I am going with her ostensibly to protect, but really to make her life miserable." "I rather admire her devotion to the church," said Veath, still a trifle dazed. "She's a great crank on religion," admitted Hugh. Then he could feel himself turn pale. He was passing Grace off as a missionary, and thereby placing her under restrictions that never before had entered into her gay life. Veath would treat her as if she were of fragile glass and it would not be long until the whole boat would be staring at the beautiful girl who was going to the heathen. Remorse struck him and he tried to flounder out of the position. [Illustration: GRACE VERNON] "I should not have said that about her views. You would never take her to be an ardent church-member, and she is particularly averse to being called a missionary. The truth about the matter is that very few people home know about this move of hers and there is no one on ship who even suspects. She would not have had me tell it for the world." "My dear Mr. Ridge, don't let that trouble you. She shall never know that you have told me and I shall never repeat it. Please rest assured; her wishes in the matter are most certainly to be considered sacred," cried Veath warmly. "Thanks, old man," said Hugh, very much relieved. "Your hand on that. I am not sorry I told you, for I'm sure you will be careful. She objects to the--the--well, the notoriety of the thing, you know. Hates to be glared at, questioned, and all that sort of thing." "She is very sensible in that respect. I have but little use for the people who parade their godliness." "That's just the way she looks at it. She would be uncomfortable all the way over if she thought that a single person knew of her intentions. Funny girl that way." "If I were you, I don't believe I'd tell any one else," said Veath hesitatingly.