Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-09-27
CHAPTER xy1T.-(ContinuedJ

In q harsh. imperious voice. deep almost
as that of a man.
There was no reply.
"Whcre are you. ! say?" was repeat
ed. impcriously. "Arc you ashamed to
speakT
"No! What do you wantT'
The buccanecr started in surprise, and
faced round.
'Are you there? Coward! Traitor!
This explains all. This is the meaning of
the naughty contcmpt-the miserable
coldness. Humphrey Armstrong--yon,
the brave ofiiccr!'
woman, are you madT'
Eyes! Madw cried the buccancer,
fercely. II scorn myself for my weak,
pitiful fancy for so despcablc a creature
as you SO this Is the brave captain.
holding nightly meetings with that wom-
anv'
AS would with anyone who could
help me to escape from this vile bond
age" said Humphrey.
"vile! Who has made II vilcT
"You." said Humphrey. sternly, "and
a. IL l were not degraded low enough
you come here to insult me-
There was utter silence for few mo-
ments, and then a quick step forward,
and before Humphrey Armstrong could
realize the fact. Mary Dell had east her
self down, thrown her arms around him,
and laid her cheek against his feet.
"Tramplc on me and crush me, or hill
me-" she moancd. II am mad. did
not think It. Humphrey, have pity on
me. You do not know"
He tremblcd us she spoke. and clinchcd
his fists tightly: but making an effort
over himself. he said. coldly:
"You have imprisoned the woman's Low.
er, and she says he Is to die. She canfe
there, as she has come many times be.
fore, to plan escape with me and the man
I persuaded to be the partner Of my
flight. For this he Is to die"
1T II the mems WILL" groaned the pros
trate woman.
"She has been praying to me to save
her lover. felt could not ask you; but
I do ask. Spare the poor fellows life
and set him free"
''Do you wish III"
eyes"
"Hc shall be set free. You sec. car
be merciful. while you alone are stern
and cold. How long nm I to suffer thisT
''Iiow long will YOU keep me here q
prisoner?"
GLOW long will you keep yourself q
prisoner. you should say. 1t TX for YOU
TO be master here: for me to be youi
slave. How can humble myself--de
grade myself--morcT
Humphrey drew his breath In an angry
impatient hiss.
''For heavens sake, rise!' he cried
"You lower yourself. You humble me
Come, let us talk sensibly. do not wan
to be hard upon you. ] will not say bittel
things. Give me your hand"
He took the hand nearest him ms h,
bent down, and raised the PROSTATE won
an.
BE seated" nc said, gravely. "Let mi
talk to you ~ I would to someone VIII,
can listen In an unprejudiced spirit"
go on. You torture me-
II must torture you, for l have words
to speak that must be uttered"
He paused for few moments; AM
then went on. speaking now quickly ant
agitatedly, Us II the words he uttered
gave him pain at the same time that the!
inflicted II upon another.
"Whcn I was chosen to command thi
expedition, against one who had mad
the name Of Commodore Junk terror al
round the gulf and amid the isles, knew
not what my fate might be. There wer
disease and death to combat, and l Nigh
never return
He paused again. Then more hurried
":
"There was one to whom"
"StOp!' came In q quick, angry voice
III know what you would say; but 20,
do not love another. 1t IL not true"
Humphrey Armstrong paused again
and then In a low, husky voice:
II babe farewell to one whom hope
on my return to make my wife. 1t pain
me to say these words, but You fore
them from me-"
"Have I not degraded myself enough
Have not suffered till am nearly ma
that You tell me thisy" came In piteou
tones.
"Was to blame"
"You? No. II was our fate. What
triumph was mine. to find that I. til
master who had lived no long with m
secret known but to poor Bart, was no,
beaten, humbled-to find that day by da
was less powerful Of will--that my me
were beginning to lose confidence In m,
and were ready to listen to the plot
and plans of one whom had spared, ia
him to become more deadly enemy da
by day. Humphrey Armstrong, have 20
no return to offer me for all ! have sul
fered-all l have lost? Tell me this
false. You do not--you cannot-love tn
woman"
He was silent.
"Is she 80 beautiful? IL she 80 true
Will she give you wealth and power
Will she lay down her life for YOU
Would she degrade herself for You az
have done, and kncel before you. sayini
Have pity on mel love your"
Hush, woman!' cried Humphrc,
hOarscly; "and for PHYS sake--the pity {
which you speak-let us part and meet u
more. ] cannot. will not listen
your words. Give me my liberty, and !,
me co."
''TO dcnOuncc me aud mineW
Fam such coward. such wretc
that should do thisT he cried, passion
ately.
"Then stay. Listen: I will give 70
love such as woman never gave man l.
fore. ] loved your cousin as wea
foolish girl loves the first man who viii
pers compliments and sings her praise
1t Is to her all new and strange, the +
alization Of something of which she la
dreamed. But rs the veil fell from u
eyes, and l saw how cowardly and bal
he was, that love withercd away, and
thought that love was dead. But VIII,
you came my heart leaped, and trer
bled and wondered. ! shrank from 70
IN Al,,t 40,