Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-06-07
Copyright. 1881, by Robert Bonner's Sons
CHAPTER XIV.-(Continued.)

ing words were these: On no account
ever tell Dunmore anything of your ex-
pected marriage with Sir Luke Dalziel!
Then, when / somewhat resented his
speaking to me in such terms, he iexclaim-
ed, almost angrily: Keep him in the
dark, L tell you, or you may live to rue
it! And then he suddenly grasped my
wrist, Bear this in mind-only this! If
any appalling calamity comes to this ship
-recollect that tried to save you from
her doom! You can imagine how alarm
ed and nlystifed | was at this
'There may have been some awful sig
.niicance hidden in those words, for
Weems is unquestionably deep and dan
8gerous villain said Dunmore.
ooh! do you think so?'
81 am now sure of his villainy, at any
rate" said Dunmore-''sure of it from
personal recollectfons, though in way
that / am not now at liberty to explain
to you. However, do not those wild and
ominous parting words recur significantly
to you now in connection with something
>else-the dark and owlish insinuations
on the part of that self-important little
fool, Sims, for Instance?
mo. But yes they do, too! Dear me!
wonder what it can all mean"
II can't imagine"
"But do you think it possible that
Weems could have plotted the secret de-
struction of the Scarborough!
"He was capable of wishing for such
aresult, think"
Horrible! but for what purposeY'
Dunmore hesitated for a moment and
then looked in her eyes.
'For the purpose of getting rid of me"
he answered, in deep, grave voice.
Heavens! Why, you were friendly
with him, and he with YOU
81 was friendly with him until this
might. Your conversation has been a rev.
citation to me in more senses than one,
Miss Muir. wish it were in my power
TO explain more fully"
81 wish it were," she murmured.
He paced to and fro in deep thought,
and then came to the conclusion to keep
his own counsel concerning his Identity
with Sir Philip Dalziel, and consequently
his suspicious as to Weems' possibly vii
famous motives.
''Let us think no more of it at present,
said he. 'It seems to be a mystery which
we cannot fathom, and | would not have
the thought of it disturb your dreams"
4'We have one consolation, at all
events" said she. 'Mr. SiMs, according
to his own showing, has nulllhed any
mysterious disaster that may have been
prepared for us. But perhaps the mys-
sterious present which Mr.. Lambton, the
spurser, is commissioned to make Mr..
Sims may throw some light on the mat
tier. Goodnight, Mr.. Dunmore."
4Good night, Miss Muir"
And then she Quilted the deck, while
Dunmore remained.
He was proceeding to resume his seat
at the taffrail, intending to ruminate a
little longer over the odd revelations of
the evening before retiring, when Dash
wood started up from a lounging place
he had been occupying in the shadow of
one of the quarter boats.
"Ah, Dunmere! moonlight's medicine
6or melancholy it seems" said he, with
something more than his customary
sneer. "a deliciously private confab you
have been having with the pretty gov
erness!"
.'Do you think so? You are right in
saying that it was private, though"
''Pshaw! There's no certainty of any
talk being private on shipboard.'
DO you mean to say that you have
been listening, sir?''
81? What do you take me forY ex-
claimed Eastwood. seeking refuge in
his anger for his confusion.
Nothing offensive, sir, if my words
were uncalled for coolly replied Dun
more, attempting to pass, but the other
intercepted him rudely.
"Look here!' exclaimed Eastwood,
with an oath; Il might as we'll have
general explanation with you right now,
and be done with it."
IAN explanation of what?'' said Dun
nnore, drawing himself up to his full.
proud height, and speaking with quiet
scorn.
II mean an explanation concerning
Miss Muir" said Eastwood, sullenly.
-S'She's under my charge won't have
you or any one to interfere.
''By what right do you assume charge
of the young lady?" said Dunmore, with
a sudden sternness. ''Or, if it will suit
you better, prove by the young lady her.
self that she considers you in the light
of her protector, and / shall have nothing
further to say to her"
.'You know you're safe in saying that
you know that she has been preJudlced
against mer' growled Eastwood.
II, for one, have certainly not preju-
diced her against you, Eastwood, rest
assured of that" said Dunmore, in a
milder tone. 1T would be foreign to my
instincts to speak ill of you behind your
back. wish you goodnight.
Eastwood stood gazing after him with
lowering brows and clenched hands. as
though Undetermined to precipitate
himself upon him.
.sThere's bad blood between that man
and me, and it's bound to work its viii
sooner or laterr' he muttered between his
<clenched teeth, as he moved slowly away.
CHAPTER XIV.
Sims, the groom. was more mysterious
and self-important throughout the follow
ing day than at any previous time during
the voyage.
What the purser had said concerning
the testimonial that was to be presented
-A.l 49, - r>f& 80 vr,rr nh ~