Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-02-27

hditeu as houSn frightened. VINO
are you?" she asked. speaking with
a slight French accent. II do not
recognize"
"Of course not and the man
chuckled. look rather different to
what l did two years ago. But you
will remember your old friend Alec
Heylcy!"
"Alec lleyley!" With the sound of
the name the owners past history re-
turned to me in n flash. The last time
| saw him he was a criminal in a
dock, when | heard him sentenced to
II months Imprisonment for attempt
ed burglary.
"Iou!' cried the girl, peering into
his face. why. what are you doing
here?'
$50 you have not forgotten? That's
all right. Oh! don't be afraid. my
dear!' he said. familiarly. Whats
the game you're trying to work?"
81 fail to understand your mean
ing she replied, with an impatient
gesture.
Come, Lucille. don't behave like a
saint. | can tell You things about
yourself that even you would not care
to hear. Are you supposed to have
turned over a lew leaf. eh?"
She did not answer him. Her foot
was tapping the deck angrily.
&C. +lat', a.. --., = 40 N
earning a living in an honest man.
ner. Quite a change, is it not? But
it won't do for me. Can you guess
why ! took passage aboard this
boat?"
Eyes. | can! Your object is some
unlucky persons money or jewelry.'
Correct, mademoiselle!" and
Fletcher gave a low laugh. But now
I've a little surprise for you. Mrs,
Nandcrton is the lady to whom l am
paying my delicate attentions"
Mrs. Vanderton!" the girl repeat
cd, in startled tones. ''But you shall
not harm her. I will go at once and
-"
"Not so fast, my dear, or your po-
sition would scarcely be an enviable
one" He seized her wrist and held
her fast. 'She carries a large guam
tity of valuablcs about with her. l
watched her make some pretty heavy
continent"
81 know nothing about it. 7 will
not listen. Let me go!" she cried, al
most wildly, trying to free herself. 81
will have nothing to do with your
schemes, and what is more, / shall in
form the captain who his passenger
is"
BY Jovc!" exclaimed the man, re-
leasing her. But you have a pretty
spirit! You are still the Lucille of
old in temper, if in nothing else. But
listen to me. I've reckoned on your
help. and J. mean to have it. Mrs.
Nanderton would not employ you if
she were aware of the character you
bear. | don't feel anxious to inform
her, but it you prove OBSTINATE"
He paused, m~eaningly.
\ shudder passed over the girl. He
saw his advantage and pressed her
further.
There is no need for us to quar-
rel he said. quietly. "lou will take
no part in the business at all. I shall
attempt nothing on board this vessel.
All l require from you is informa-
ton about what you will do upon
landing at New York"
She stood silent a moment, deep in
thought. II will tell you to-mor-
row." she answered, slowly. Then
without another word she turned and
hurried away.
She'll help mel" muttered Fletcher
to himself. During the interview he
had discarded the crntch. thus PROV
ing that my supposition on the first
night was correct. Now he replaced
it under his arm and hobbled along
the deck from my sight.
| o out of my cramped position
and stretched my limbs. So 1 was mis-
taken in the man, after all. lie was
not a clever smuggler. but a mere
thief. But J. determined he
should not succeed if | could prevent
il. I felt sorry for the girl Lucille.
From the conversation I gathered
what she had been, and as she had at
tempted to rise from d criminal
sphere / would see that Fletcher
should pot be the one to drag her
down again.