Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-10-08
CHAPTER x.

CHAPTER K.
When Charlotte had made sure Of
the pseudo deck hands identify in
the forenoon of the second dav ont
she had thought the assurance un-
assailable and had conducted herself
accordingly. But when she awoke
late on the morning following the
brave rescue of the mate, assurance
had departed.
With the admission of the smallest
doubt, she could by no means 90 on
with her plan of betrayal until the
doubt was removed; and, not know
ing what else to do, she went to the
captain to find out if possible all he
knew about the mates rescuer.
The interview was most unsatisfac-
tory. She led up to the subject by
telling the captain the story of the
rescue, and so was privileged to ask
Few questions about the rescuer. Did
the captain know him? And, above
all, did the captain know the day and
hour when the man had joined the
crew?
Capt. Mayieh knew no more than
that the mans name was John Gayitt.
and that he had joined some time dur
ing the day of departure from New
Orleans. He was a sick tramp, work
ing his way home to some small river
town in Iowa.
So the doubt remained unsolyed.
after all, and her hands were tied un-
less it could be removed. She could
think of no other expedient, save an
interview with the man himself, and
this she knew was impossible-in it's
bringing about and in any definite re-
suit that could accrue. For if she
could bring herself to question him,
surely he would lie in his own behalf.
And yet it was the impossible
thing that happened For that even
ing just at dusk, while she was stand
ing on the guard upon which her
stateroom window opened, she heard
a step on the stair leading from the
deck above. A man descended slowly,
and when he came near enough she
recognized him. She let him 20 until
her opportunity was all but lost;
then, plucking courage out of the
heart of desperation, she recalled
him.
"One moment, if you please; IL
want to speak to you,' she faltered:
and he turned obediently and stood
before her.
Followed a pause, surcharged with
the electricity of things ominous. He
was generous enough to come to her
rescue.
"You have something to say
to me?"
'"Yes; T want to ask you at what
time. you joined the crew of the
Belle julie"
The question did not surprise him,
nor did he attempt to evade it.,
though he knew to. what it would
lead.
Between twelve and one o'clock
the day before yesterday
''Will you tell me where you were
1T IL o'clock that day?"
Eyes, if you ask me-"
II do ask yo,h"
IL was in certain public building
I'm New Orleans, as near TO you as
I am now. Is that sufficiently def
nite?" g.
:, 1T is. I thought had hoped
oh, why did you do it?'' she burst
out. $500 ~ L
1T was the old story of one mans
plenty and another's need"
'But surely" ;%-
II know what you would say. 1
was willing to work; i was not willing
to beg. I know it was all wrong, from
your. point Of view, but should be
sorry to think that I did what I be-
5lieved to be wrong. Il i,
I. Surely you must know 1t is
wrong s.@ z-...s ~ :: =
!. ..No, i don't. If / did, you would
be relieved of what I conceive to be
. painful duty. I should surrender
myself at once"
.Then you are not sorry? I saw
you yesterday afternoon, and hoped
you were" s rs - i s
II was sorry thenand am now;
for the very good reason that I have
lost the money!. Il
Lost It 2" she gasped.
iS.3 .'srY esq And he told her about the
hiding Of the treasure and it's disap-
Fearance. .s
q l'.Aoh, dear!' she said; "that makes la
&c all the harder X. 33s
For you to do what you must p q !?
\ You mustn't think Of that. I
shouldn't have made restitution IN
any Srent. 3 ':s 81
Then y2dd know what ] must do q?
4 Assuredly knew Il yesterday. e
ss,was msrcifula Is ron "a reprisvs - -