Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-11-13
CHAPTER II

Clarence Howard FASTENED down to the
waters edge, anu arrived there Just as
the old woman was inquiring for the cap
tain of the schooner. She appeared TO
be somewhere between fifty and sixty
years of age; quite small in frame, and
much bent. She seemed to be an Indian
woman, though she spoke both Spanish
and English well. Her hair was long
and matted, and very black, with here
and there a silvery line; her eyes were
black, large and burned with a strange
FIRE. Her garb was very simple, consist
ing Of the colored blanket and skirt usu-
ally worn by those Indians who had iiy-
ed in the neighborbood of civilization.
Take her all in all. she was curiosity
of humanity.
Have you been searching for me. my
good woman?" asked Clarence.
The woman started when she heard the
voice, and having made sure who it was
that had spoken to her, she asked:
Are you the caDtain?"
"Of this schooner--yes."
"And is your name Clarence Howard 90
1T is
Il would like TO speak with you a mo-
ment, good sir" she said.
For what?" asked Howard.
'"Come with me a short distance away,
and I'll tell you"
But why not speak hereg'
81 would speak with you concerning
Donna Irene ST. Marc" the woman whis-
pered, in a tone so low that only Howard
could hear it.
Lead on" returned Clarence quickly.
Lead on"
Slowly the woman hobbled away to-
wards the nearest hut, and as soon as
she was beyond the hearing of the boat
men, she turned and motioned for her
companion to stop.
Now, senior captain, you must listen.
You say you know Donna Irene St. Mare;
and she has told me that she knows you."
"She? Irene?-then you have seen
her?'' cried Clarence.
"Yes-I have seen her within these two
weeks, and she tells me that you are her
best friend"
did she tell you that?" uttered the
young captain. ardently. 20, she has no
truer friend-none truer than ]"
And think the maiden loves thee,
Senior Americana"
did she tell thee 500" asked Clarence,
in a quick, breathless whisper.
| Not in so many words, but then there
be other languages than the one the
mouth speaks She called thy name,
senior; and while she spoke that name
with her lips, she told me her love with
her eyes"
Il hoped l had her gratitude, but her
love was more than l had dared TO hope
for"
"Ah, thine own eye gives the denial of
that. senior"
mo, no.. woman. / may have prayed
imply more than was mine. SO fair-so
lovely-so wealthy-so noble. All, had
not scared so high
Never mind. I'll give thee all the be-
/ lief in my power. And now to my bust
/ ness. In all Vera Cruz poor Irene has
not friend. A terrible fate awaits her,
and there is none nigh TO avert the blow. '
How. \ blow? fate-a terrible fate
Speak, woman. What is it you mean Y
Listen, senor You have heard of one
/ Jilok Tudel?'
Il know but one of that NAME
And he?"
/ as a pirate"
"Ies-the very one. And now st. Marc
sw, airs his child shall marry that dread
full mani"
For some moments Howard gazed into
the woman'S face without speaking. The
sun had sunk from sight, and the twilight
was creeping on. Those dark, swarthy
features were now indistinct beneath the
long. matted hair. but those two large
] -
/ power. for she seemed deeply moved
did 1 understand yous" the young
man asked, at length.
"Yes. senior captain. Antonio ST. Mare
would marry his child to the pirate Tu
delr'
..Ah-he does not know who this Jilol
Tudel is"
"He knows him far better than yog
| can. senior"
And knowing him to be the wicked
bloody pirate. would he still
Fore his sweet child TO marry him
senior. You may as well speak it out, fol
so the truth is"
But St Mare is monster"
HE is, senior"
Clarence Howard gazed fxedly in tn,
| wonanS face. There was ruth IN De
tone. and stern purpose of honest inten
in her look He knew but little Of ST
Marc Four years before. while cruising
of the northern coast of YUcatan. he has
fallen in with Cuban pirate. 1t WIS hi
first cruise as master of a vessel. Tn,
pirate tried to run round Cape Catoche
but the Lone Star cut her out, and cap
tured her after a smart engagement o
fifteen minutes. On board this piEat
the young captain found a wealthy Mex
lean and his daughter. The former in
trodnced himself as Castilian gentle
man. Of Vera Cruz. and had been eaptur
ed by the pirates While on his way. will
his child, to visit some friends in Ha
vSna.
His child was then fifteen years of age
aud so beautiful that even then Clarenc
almost wished he had never seen he1
He delivered the pirates up 10 justice