Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-03-08
CHAPTER XXI.


With start, he awoke from his musings
over the past and hastily began to search
for some proof of the woman's identity.
AS he opened the locl1et he staggered
backward in amazement. In one side was
the face of an old gray-bearded man, a face
he never could forget. In the other, bent
and worn, q small tin-type Of a young lad Of
eighteen or nineteen.
The first was the Greek merchant OF Tan
giers; the second, himself, the college
sophomore Of eleven years ago. He remem-
bered fishing it out of his sea-chest and Civ
ing it to Haydee just before he sailed
And was this Haydeel His child pupil,
Haydee? Come from far Tangiers on that
burning Morocco shorel Cast up by the
sea, here on these rugged, rock-bound
coasts? The woman Haydee, come thus to
recall to his conscience-smitten soul the
recollection of his broken promises, after
these many years Lad passed.
Horror-struck at his objectionable neg
lect, he bent over her and murmured:
80, Haydee my little HaydeeI And I
forgot you sou
Hidden in the folds of her robe, tightly
pressed to her bosom, was sewed a roll OF
MS. Blurred though it was by the sea-
water, he could yet read it. Closely, yet
neatly written, its English was terse and
clear.
instructions.
SAT last''-so began the MS. tive are
steaming within sight Of his native land and
Heaven soon will put an end to all my long,
long weary years of waiting.
Il know not what unseen power impels
me to write this or guides my pen to shape
that mournful word, FGreGceW I know not
what fills my terrified soul with vague fore
boding. But like not the lowering looks
of those bad men, and, when that villain.
Matteo, bends upon me his evil eye, my
heart flutters like frightened bird, and
grow sick and faint.
II see their many, secret, low-muttering
groups. catch their hasty chances Of fear
and malice toward my good captain and his
mate, Luigi. And l am oppressed with an
horrible dread.
"Ahl why did seek this vessell And
yet, when Ali''-her Nubian slave-''breath-
less and terrified, came rushing in, that ia
tai night, with the news that the Sultan's
minions were without, ready to drag nae to
his harem, could we do aught else but fly
down those narrow, sitting lanes and seek
safety on the first outbound steamerl
mo sooner had stepped upon her decks
than my soul told me that death abode
there. Too latei For she was already leay-
ing the harbor And, now, daily and hour
", my eye and ear verify that awful pre-
sentiment
ssLast night nv father stood beside me,
clad in his death-shroud.
Fear not, my daughter said he, with
his rare, sweet smile Of old, the end Is at
handP
ssAyl the end Is at hand! But, if it be not
to meet thee, beloved, 1t lies in this sharp,
steel dagger, or in yon chilly waters
so my teacher of the olden days my love
of now and all time, TaretceW Thou knew
est that loved thee, then, with q child's
pure love. And have come to. prove to thee
that love thee now, with the deathless
love of q woman whose vain yearnings have
been pent up within her bosom for a half
score years OF ceaseless watching. And,
come life or DEATH thou shalt yet know my
love was undying.
''None, save I and yon strong box. wherein
is hidden the clew to the place Of conceal
ment q would have left it ith-Ahou Has