Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-11-06
CHAPTER I.

why, you foolish girl, what did you
expect?"
THAT you would be an officer and
gentleman. Once more, is it true that
you are going to be married to that lady"
well, you see"
Answer me, sir"
"Oh, well, then, | suppose | am
Then l repeat it, James Armstrong
you are n vllainw
what nonsense, you fierce looking
handsome termagaDt! We have had our
little pleasant chats, and now we'll say
good-by pleasantly. | can't help it, have
TO marry; so you go and do the same, my
dear, and I'll buy you handsome we'd
ding dress"
You cowardly, coldblooded villainw
Come, come, my good girl no more
strong words, please. Why, what did
you expect"
THAT you were wooing me to be your
wife"
"A captain in the kings navy marry
the daughter of an old wrecker, the sis.
ter of as utter a smuggling scoundrel as
can be found about this port to Dart
MOUTH
When girl gives her heart to the
man who comes to her all soft words and
smiles, do you think she remembers what
he is? 1t is enough for her that she loves
him, and she believes all he says. On
James, dear James! forgive me for all
I've said"
There. that's enough. You knew as
well as l did that there was nothing Sc
rious meant, so now lets bring this meet
Ing to an end"
ITO an end?"
Yes; you had no business to come here
But, as you have come, there are five
guineas. Mary, to buy fnery; and let's
shake hands and say good-by"
captain Armstrong, handsome man
with a rather cruel-looking, thin-lipped
mouth, took five golden pieces from his
great, Mapped, salt-bOx- pocketed waist
coat, gave the flowing curls OF his wig
snake, and held out the money to the
DARK, black-eyed woman standing before
him with her sun-browned cheeks slight.
ly flushed, her full, red lips duvering, and
q look or herce passion distorting her
handsome gypsy cOuntenancc
AS he spoke he dropped the golden
coins one by one into the woman's hand.
smiled, glanced quickly at door behind
him, and caught her in his arms.
There, one more kiss from those ripe,
red lips, and then"
As sharp back-handed blow across the
face as ever man received from an angry
woman, and then, as the recipient invol
unfairly started back, Mary Dell flung
the golden pieces ut him, so that one
struck him in the chest and the others
dew tinkling across the room.
Curse YOU" cried the captain, in a
low, savage voice, "this is too much.
Leave this house. and il you ever dare
to come here again."
Dare" cried the woman, as fercely.
II dare anything. I've not been a sailors
child for nothing. And so you think that
woman's love is to be bought and sold
for few paltry guineas. Look here
James Armstrong, | wouldn't marry you
now If you prayed me to be your wife
wife to such a cruel. mean coward!
would sooner leap overheard some night |
and die in the deepest part of the har-
Dor"
Leave this house, you vixen"
Not at your bidding, captain" cried |
the girl, scornfully. Captain! Why, |
the commonest sailor in the kings ships |
would shame to behave to woman as |
you have behaved to me. But | warn |
you,' she continued, as in her excitement |
her luxuriant, glossy hair escaped from
its comb and fell ripping down in masses |
II warn you, that il you go to church |
with that lady, I'll never forgive you, but |
have such a revenge as shall make you |
rue the day that you were born"
Silence, woman; I've borne enough! |
Leave this housed"
When have told you all think and |
feel, James Armstrong"
Leave my house!' cried the captain |
for the third time, furiously; and, glanc-
ing through the window as he spoke. he
changed color at the sight of gray
haired gentleman approaching with a
tall, graceful woman upon his arm.
"Ah!" cried Mary Deb, as she read his
excitement Alright; 80 that Is the WON
an! Then I'll stop and meet her face
to face, and tell her what contempti-
BILE creature she is going to wed"
Curse you, leave this house!' cried the
captain, in savage whisper; and, catch
ing his visitor roughly by the shoulder,
he tried to pull her toward the door; but
the girl resisted, and in the struggle
chair was overturned with a crash, the
door was flung open, and a bluff, manly
voice exclaimed:
why, halloo; what's the matter now p
w nat tnat 10 your cried the cap
tain, angriy, as he desisted from his eff
forts, and the girl stood disheveled and
painting, her eyes flashing vindictively
and look of gratifed malice crossing
her face, as she saw the confusion and
annoyance displayed by her ex-lover.
What is it to me? Why, l thought
there was trouble on, and | came tC
help"
10 intrude where you We're not want
ed, you mean. Now, CO." snarled tn,
captain.
mo, don't co." cried the girl, spitefully
II want you to protect me, sir, from thi
man, this gentleman, who professed t,
love me, and who now that he is goini
to he married. treats me as you see"
ITS lie, woman!' cried the captain
who noted that the couple whose coming
had made him lower his voice had nov
passed after looking up at the window
and who now turned again fercely upo
the woman.
"No, 1t isn't lie, Jem." said the new
conner. 1--WE seen you on the beach wit