Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-12-18

pnrcy, naugntlly. Il am your prisoner
sir; but you forget to whom you are
speaking. How dare you ask me to link
my fate with that of your cutthroat band
to share with you life of plumber and
disgrace, with the moose at the yard-arm
of every ship in his majesty's navy wait.
ing to end your miserable career|
lie made clutch at the nearest branch
to save himself, for his head swan. black
spots yelled in mist and strangely blur
red seemed to be descending from above
to form n binding veil before his eyes
He recovered himself for moment, long
enough to resent the hand stretched out to
save him, and then all was blank, and
with hoarse sigh he would have fallen
heavily but for the strong arms that
caught him, held him firmly for "A few
moments, and then a faint catching sigh
was heard in the stiffness of the forest.
as Humphrey Armstrong was lowered
slowly upon the moss and a soft brown
hand laid upon his forehead, as the buc-
cancer bent down upon one knee by his
side.
want meY said deep, low voice; and
the buccaneer started as if from a dream,
with his face hardening, and the wrin-
kles which had been smoothed reappear.
ing deeply in the broad forehead.
"You here, BartT
GAY. I'm here"
Give me lift and I'll carry him
| back"
| All this was done. and Dinny summon
ed so that when, an hour later, Hum
| phrey Enclosed his eyes, it was with his
head throbbing with fever, a wild, half
deirious dreaminess troubling his brain,
and the great stone image glaring down
at him through the dim green twilight of
the prison room.
1t was a bitter experience for the pris-
oner to find that he had overrated his
powers. The effort, the excitement, and
the malaria of the forest Frustrated him
| for a fortnight, and at the end of that
time he found that he was in no condi-
| ton to make further attempt at secur-
ing the means of escape.
you're to keep to your prison till fur
Their ORDERS" said Bart one day as he
entered the place.
"Who says SOP" cried Humphrey, an
grily.
| "Lufftenant."
"What! Mazzard?"
eyes, sir His orders"
Course Lieut.. Mazzardy cried Hum
phrey. where is the captainY
| No answer.
rs this so-called lieutenant master
hereT
Tries to be-" grumbled Bart.
1.-THE captain is away, thenT
"Orders are not to answer questions"
said Bart, abruptly; and he left the cham
Der.
| Midday arrived, and Humphrey was
looking forward to the coming of Dinny
with his meal. The Irishman lightened
his weary hours, and every time he came
the captive felt some little hope of win
ming him over to help him escape.
"Ah, Dinny, my lad!' he said, as he
heard a step, and the hanging curtain
was drawn aside.
He stopped and listened, for voice
whispered from somewhere close at hand
the word "Kelly!"
Eyes; what is it? Who called?" said
the prisoner, aloud.
. There was momentary silence, and
then peculiar whispering voice said:
Don't be frightened"
| "rm not" said Humphrey, trying to
make out whence the voice came, and
only able to surmse that it was from
somewhere over the dark corner where
he slept But where are your"
up above your chamber" was the
reply. There is a place where the
stones are broken away"
Then | am watched" thought Hum
phrey, as the announcement recalled the
captain.
Can you see meY' he asked
,hou
but l could if you went and lay down
upon your couch"
Then I'll go there" paid Humphrey
crossing the great chamber to throw him
self on the blankets and skins. "Now,
then, what do you want with Dinny?"
IL knew the captain had gone to sea-"
said the voice, evasively; "but | did not
know Kelly had been taken, too. He
cannot be, without letting me know"
Listen" said Humphrey, quickly
"You are Mistress GreenheysY'
yes"
"And you love Dennis Kellyf"
There was silence.
You need not fear me. I know your
history" continued Humphrey. "Yor
are, like myself, prisoner, and in tn,
power of that black-looking lieutenant
Il am a miserable slave, SIR"
eyes, yes, know. Then look here
can we not all escape togetherT
Escape. sir! How?"
Through Dnny's help"
He would not give it, sir. 1t woulC
be impossible. I-I-there! | will speal
out, sir-I can bear this horrible life n,
longer! l have asked him to take mt
away"
, 'Well, will he not?"
"He is afraid, sir"
"And yet he loves your
ale says So"
sand you believe it, or you would no
run risks by coming here"
) Risks" said the woman, with sigh
"lf Mazzard knew l came he would Kill
J me!'
"'fhe wretch!' muttered Humphrey
Then, aloud, "Dinny must help us. WON
an, surely you can win him to our side
5 You will tryY'
TRY, sir | will do anythingw