Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-15


Intact to shilling. arn happy to
say" said Mr.. Matthews.
Very airy and cheerful after the
cabin of the brig, said Boldock, breath
ing deep. ANY DAMAGE
They pillaged some of the passen-
gers cabins, but you'll find Miss Man
sci hasn't suffered. They had done their
worst with her. They'd do no more. !"
1.-The bur.iud-dy villains!" exclaimed
the commander. making the sentence
tremendous by force of emphasis and
slowness Of delivery.
''Those two men, continued the
mate, tell queer yarn of the fellows
doings at the island. Will you have
them aft at once, or wait till after
breakfast?'
we'll breakfast first, said the COM
mander, who was exceedingly hungry.
Il am enc Of those unfortunate people
who can't shift without ballast"
They made the rounds Of the cabins
The commander found much to say on
what he beheld. The main hatch covers
were then lifted, and they entered the
hold, where for some time On their
knees and hands they remained, view.
ing the wreck Of the massive casing in
which the gold had been stored. When
they returned on deck, very good sea
breakfast had been served by Jack Of
the brig, enc of those useful seamen
who can cook and wait as well as hand
and steer.
AS the commander and his Compan.
ion entered the cuddy the door Of Miss
Mansel's cabin was opened and the
young lady made her appearance. Boil
dock started. He could hardly credit his
sight. He had been so used to see Miss
Mansel in her dressing gown that, now
she was prettily dressed in serge trim
med as gayly as a yachting costume. he
scarcely recognized her She had put
on hat, charming hat, with an cs-
trich feather coiled round IT. The gen.
tlemen rogues had left her cabin IN
touched. All her toilet conveniences re-
| manned, and she had used them to her
inexpressible refreshment and to tho
distinct Improvement Of her charms. Sc
there stood before the commander well
dressed, we'll shaped young lacy, with
fine, dark, rensive eyes and blushing
cheeks and white teeth showing as she
smiled, and she was to be his wife.
GOOD heavensr' he calculated, III the
impulse Of his surprise and delight. He
took her hand. and, raising it to his
lips, kissed it with admirable courtesy,
then introduced her to Mr.. Matthews as
his betrothed.
l,ul tI ~
the mate, With enc of those dry, nervous
smiles which twist the mouth toward
the cheek. Il heartily congratulate you
both" and he bowed with the grace G.
sailor bending as the handle of a
pump.
No more was said on the subject, and
they sat down to breakfast The talk
naturally concerned tho robbery. the
proceedings Of the thieves, the chances
OF capturing them and recovering the
gold.
. Il must have these nuggets. Marga.
ret, Boiaock said, with his immense
face full CT life and hope 1t shall buy
US q homo GId furnish it, too, ard there
should he very coed balance for the
spree that's called ashore the honey.
moon. Your share 1 hope, Mr.. Mat.
thews, viii enable you to give up the
sea-"
The peer man rolled up his eyes. with
an expression OF devotion.
This, where they were sitting. had
been the theater of TIE great ocean theft.
Wonder was the cabin out Of which they
had dragged Miss Mansel. Yonoer wa.
the cabin IN which the mate had beer
aroused to Learn that the ship was seized.
How could old Benson have beer
such q fool as TO let it happen:" said the
commander. WAS not the robbery d
the arms chest hint enough: Within M