The morning call., 1893-03-12

After had been locked up two or three
hours, and while the sun was still strong
over the west, filling all that part with a
moist scarlet light, the key was Violently
turned and Dr.. Ellice walked in. My blood
was fired by his insolent entrance as though
lie were warder with right to break in
upon prisoner at any in slant; but swiftly
cooled when | recollected that he did not
know was woman. In truth, for the
moment had forgotten my masquerade
ana indeed there is nothing so hard 10 sham
as the airs and behavior of the other sex. A
woman may look young man to perfection,
as indeed did. but her female tricks and
instincts Will be breaking through II vigil
lance should sleep an instant. You will
md this so by observing even the most ac-
compllshed actress in male parts.
nave come to talk TO you," said the
doctor, very sternly. Il don't understand
tons to the captain and to myself are not
sufficient and are unsatis factory so far as
they 60" And then he began to question
me. Who was L? What was my age?
Would l swear that l was going to Tasma-
MA TO seek some relations? Would | swear
that my name was Simon Marlowe? BY
this time my blood was on fire again. ana.
weakened as | was by what | had passed
through, l might guess the old flashing
lights we're in my eyes as looked at him.
III tell you this much about myself"
said |, stepping up to him and swelling my
breast and tossing my head after my fashion
when L was in rage: my father was
sailor, and l know enough of the sea to
inform you that the master is the only head
and authority which the people on board
need recognize. You are not the master of
this vessel. What right have you to come
here and talk to me as you do, and to insult
me as you lately did in the hearing of others,
with your doubts as to my honesty and my
motives for leaving home and the rest OF
it?"
He gazed at me in silence with the utmost
astonishment. Indeed he looked crestfailen.
His lips lay apart in sort of yawn of won
der, but he quickly recOllected himself, as
you will suppose of r man who, as | after
ward learned, had made several voyages in
charge of convcts, and was used to fel0ns.
His face darkened with temper, but his
self-mastery was fine and there was no pas
sion in his tones.
You do not understand. You are inso-
lent and ignorant, though you are educated
and refined, and altogether superior to the
situation in which you have placed your
self. On this | base my suspicion and |
must have the truth. | am supreme in this
ship. The captain obeys my orders. This
is a Cove eminent ship and you are subject TO
my discipline"
He then began to question me afresh very
deliberately. But l observed that he no
longer insisted upon my swearing that my
name was Simon MarloWe and so on; and
indeed it was wonderful that so sensible
"
would put; for let me have answered him as
l might, would he have believed me? |
struggled with my temper and replied to
him; now and again would not answer and
he passed on. Once he threatened TO bring
me to the gangway, by which he meant that
he would order me to be tiOgged; folded
my arms when he said that and looked him
in the eyes.
Often perception Is very nimble in
women; being full of sympathies and pas
ci p.f hot ipp N al
perception in me had always quick and
delicate touch; and | witnessed a change. a
softening in the mood OF the doctor, while
| looked at him. l wish not to deal too
subty with this, but l have often since
thought that all unCOnscousy both TO him
and 10 me my sex had spoken through my
masquerade to the heart OF the man and the
gentleman, influencing him, though he
could not imagine why.
lie continued TO question ME very Sternly
nevertheless demanded full particulars of
my coming on board; asked whether had
travelled direct from my home wherever it
might be, or lOitered at WO0lwlch before
hiding in the vessel? T told him l had
STAYED short time at Woolwich.
Are you acquainted with any one Of
the convicts on board this ship?" he ex-
claimed, bursting out with this question
abruptly as though tocach me unawares
My eyes sought ;he deck; l went to the
bunk and looked through the portfolio, turn
ing my back on him.
ANSWER mel" he cried.
1 slowly confronted him and said, "Yes, l
know one of the cOHvlcts."
(Which is the man?'
Barney Aaron"
He stared In good earnest. made step
the better to see me- my back being to the
portfolio, and said: You know Barney
Aaron? Probably one of the worst charac-
ters in the ship. YOu are friend of his?"
Il did not use the word friend. sir. l
know Barney Aaron-by sight l recog-
nized him as he paced the deck this after
noon"
"Where have you met him on shoreP'
ale was pointed out TO me-"
'Where-where? >"
l paused to let him know I was not to be
frightened by his imperIOus manner, and
answered, 'ln Newgate Prison."
Were you Drisoner?" he asked quickly.
81 was visitor.
'Whom visiting"
"The jail"
., Who pointed the man out to you9"
"My companion"
"Who was your cOmpanion?"
"Pll not answer that question:" | replied,
"because If | tell you who that companion
was | shall be acquaintiug you with more
than | Intend you shall know But neither
will tell you any lies"
He looked hard at my hands. l held
them close up TO his face and exclaimed:
Judge for yourself; L have been no pris-
onerw and laughed.
You are the most impudent young dog
ever met" said he. with a sort of admira-
tion in the anger of his looks. "Where
were you educated?"
81 never went TO school, was educated
at hOmp," ! answered, feigning an air Of
shyness and swinging my leg,
'Is your mother living?"
mo. sir"
"Father?"
81 have stepfather," answered.
And his is the home you have run awav
from, l suppose" He mused for a few
moments and then said: Put on your cap
and follow me.''
To be cOntinnedl