The Lamar register., 1902-08-27

either side?"
That's it. He's English all over
did you ever hear tell of a British
branch OF the Dares?"
why certainly. There was cous-
in. with whom she correspondent
His name was Sir Lionel"
THAT was not guess. by Jupiter!'
mo. My good Corsican boatman.
on the way out, informed me that this
ine craft was the property of an Eng
lish g!obe-trotter named Sir Lionel
Dare. The similarity of names didn't
strike me as odd until l saw her sit
ting there beside him.
That girl is slowly but surely awak-
ening to her position. Yes. Little Miss
Millions has been suddenly seized
with a startling conviction that this is
all a set up job to secure unlimited
means from her vast fortune or else
to compel her to marry the count"
THE miserable scoundrels." Mark
muttered between his teeth. Prove
that to me. Jones. and III stand be-
tween that girl and danger again II 1t
costs me my life"
"All right" said Jones. cheerily.
lust you come with me. my boy. and
well beard the lion in his den, you
bet"
Again the darkness of the night was
of great assistance, and Merrick found
occasion to feel thankful.
Fortune favored them-at least they
were able to descend without discov-
cry. and as this was of prime import
ance lust then they considered thom-
selves lucky.
And the cabin door was ajar.
which helped things amazingly.
At the first glance Merrick became
aware that the situation within the
saloon had changed during the few
minutes they had spent in perambulat-
ing the deck and lodging jackies.
The voices now seemed to vibrate
with a new energy. as though some
thing had occurred to inject excite
ment into the gathering.
Jones had been right. after all.
The look he had seen upon the face
of Constance Dare had been one OF
awakening consciousness and alarm.
Her first act had been to express a
desire to return to the hotel.
OF course, the good company en-
deavored to dissuade her with all man
ner of entreaties.
Finding these of no avail. the
yachtsman showed q little'of his claws
beneath the velvet.
If his fair cousin were indisposed 1t
would be very uncivil in him to allow
her to return the long distance to
| the city, especially since the wind was
rising and the sea growing rough
| the very best stateroom on board was
| quite at her service. and in the morn
ing a safe landing could be made.
Little Miss Millions was accus-
toned to having her own way pretty
much, and this polished but positive
manner of refusing her demands
hndIed her feminine anger.
Her lip curled with scorn; she
stamped her little foot In anger.
"It is not so-you have other rea'
sons, less honorable. for refusing to
land me. am not blind. sir and the
fact that you are not alone in your
miserable scheme is very patent to
me-" she said, looking at the others
in turn.
Sir Lionel turned very red in the
face under her reproaches. but held
himself well in hand.
He was a master hand at finding
words to, cover the case. and his plea
| had all the earmarks of a clever bar.
rister, which he had really once been
when a sudden legacy spoiled his bust
ness prospects.
The veneer was SO desperately thin
that it proved OF no avail as dis
guise.
Constance saw through it easily.
Although the situation certainly pre-
sented enough of danger and difficulty
to alarm her exceedingly. she did not
seem to lose her presence of mind.
Indeed. if anything, she grew more
Indignant and angry, for she stamped
her foot as might an angry despot, and
poured upon the devoted head of her
cousin a torrent of reproaches that
must have staggered one less dense.
ITO be continued)