The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-05-15

JOAN AND LAFARGE SALUTE.
with the captain or Mr.. Bissonnette,
whom believe you know in the matter
of pail, and"
"No, no; pardon me, monsieur" said
Lafarge, more eagerly than was good
for the play, 81 am glad to confer with
you, will understand-you will under
stand" He paused.
"What will / understand"
"You will understand that under
stand!" Lafarge looked meaningly
toward the Ninety-nine, but it had no
effect at all. Joan would not give the
game over into his hands.
''That sounds like a charade or a
puzzle game. We are gentlemen on a
serious errand, are we not?"
eyes," answered Lafarge, perfect
gentlemen on q perfectly serious er-
randi"
every well, monsieur. Allons! Have
you come to surrender"
The splendid impudence of the thing
stunned Lafarge, but he said: 81 sup
pose one or.the other ought to surren-
der, and naturally" with slow point,
sit should be the weaker"
Every well. Our captain is willing
to consider conditions. You came
down on us to take us-a quiet croft
sailing in free waters. You show that
you are going to attack us without
cause. We summon all hands-we are
well prepared-and seeing our superior
strength, you fly. We follow, you ask
for truce. 1t is granted. We are not
hard, mais no! We simply want our
rights. Admit them, we will make
the terms of surrender easy, and the
matter is over" Lafarge gasped. She
was forcing his hand. She would not
understand his oblique suggestions.
He saw only one way now, and that
was to meet her, boast for boast.
81 haven't come to surrender" he
said, "but to demand"
Monsieur" Joan said, grandly,
there's nothing more to say. Garry
word to your captain that we'll over
haul him by sundown and sink him be-
fore supper"
The fine impudence of the thing was
too much for Lafarge. He burst out
laughing.
"Well, by the Lord, but you're
swashbuckler, Joan"
"Monsieur!'
"Oh, nonsense! l tell you, nonsensel
Let's have over with this, my girl.
You're the cleverest woman on the
continent, but there's limit to every
thing. Here, tell me now, and if you
answer me straight I'll say no more"
Monsieur, l am here toconsider con-
ditions, not to"
"Oh, for Gods sake, jean! Tell me
now, have you got anything contra
band on board? Therell be a nasty
mess about the thing, for me and all of
US, and why can't we compromise? l
tell you, honestly, we'd have come on
if hadn't seen you aboard"
Joan turned her head back with a
laugh. MY poor monsieur! You have
such bad luck. Contraband? Let me
see? Liquors and wines and tobacco
are contraband. Is it not sop Lafarge
nodded.
SIS money-gold-co
Money? No; of course not, and you
know it. Why won't you be sensible?
You're getting me into bad hole, and
"And 1 want to see how you'll come
out. If you come out we'll" She
paused quantity.
"Yes, if come out we'll"
"If you come out very we'll and we
do not sink you before supper, | may
ask you to come and see me-"
"H'ml Is that all? After running
my reputation, I'm to be let come and
see you"
Isn't that enough to start with?
What has ruined your reputation"
"A man, boy and a slip of a girl"
He looked meaningly enough at her
now She laughed. ''See," he added;
''give me chance. Let me search the
NiEety-nine for contraband-that's all
I've got to do with-and then can keep
quiet about the rest. If there's no
contraband, whatever else there is, I'll
hold my tongue"