Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-09-21


moment one drunken brute shouted:
1T is no man. 1t is woman. Let US
see more of her,
Before Brandon could interfere the
fellow had unbuckled Mary's doublet
at the throat and with a jerk had
torn IT of. carrying away the sleeve
and exposing Mary's shoulder, almost
throwing her to the deck
He waved his trophy on high, but
his triumph was short lived. for almost
instantly II fell to the deck, and with
1t the offending hand severed at the
wrist by Brandon's sword Three or
! four friends of the wounded man
rushed upon Brandon, whereupon Mary
screamed and began to weep, which Of
! course told the whole story.
A great laugh went up. and instantly
a general fight began. Several Of the
gentlemen, seeing Brandon attacked by
such odds. took up his defense and
within twenty seconds all were on one
side or the other. every mothers son of
them fighting away like mad.
You see how quickly and completely
one woman without the slightest act on
her part, except a modest effort to be
let alone, had set the whole company
by the ears, cutting and slashing away
at each other like very devils. The sex
must generate mischief In some I'M
known manner and throw it off, as the
sun throws off its heat. However, Jane
Is an exception to that rule-if it is a
rule.
The officers soon put a stop to this
lively little fight and took Brandon
and Mary, who was weeping as any
right minded woman would, down into
the cabin for consultation.
| With a great oath Bradhurst ex-
claimed: at is plain enough that you
have brought girl on board under
false colors, and you may as we'll make
ready to put her ashore. You see what
she has already done-a hand lost to
one man and wounds for twenty others
and she was on deck less than five
minutes. Heart of God! At that rate
she would have the ship at the bottom
of Davy Jones' locker before we could
sail half down the channel"
! ut was not my fault" sobbed Mary,
her eyes flashing fire. 81 did nothing;
all l wanted was to be left alone, but
those brutes of men-you shall pay for
this; remember what say. Did you
expect Captain Brandon to stand back
and not defend me when that wretch
was tearing my garments offY
Captain Brandon. did you say"
asked Bradhurst. with his hat off in
stantly.
! "Yes." answered that individual. ST
shipped under an assumed name for
various reasons. and desire not to be
known. You will do well to keep my
secret"
do understand that you are Mas
ter Charles Brandon, the kings
friend" asked Bradhurst.
/ Il am" was the answer.
"rhen, sir. l must ask your pardon
! for the way you have been treated.
We of course could not know it, but a
man must expect trouble when he at.
j taches himself to woman" 1t IL a
wonder the flashes from Mary's eyes
did not strike the old seadog dead. He.
however. did not see them and went
on: 1--WE are more than anxious that so
valiant knight as Sir Charles Bran
don should go with us, and hope your
reception will not drive you back. But
as to the lady, you see already the re.
suit OF her presence. and, much as we
want you, we cannot take her. Aside
from the general trouble which a wo-
man takes with her everywhere"-Ma-
~ would not even look at the creature
ION shipboard there is another and
greater objection. It is said, you know,
among sailors that woman on board
draws bad luck to certain sorts Of
ships, and every sailor would desert
before we could weigh anchor if it
were known this lady was to go with
US. Should they find it out in midocean
a mutiny would be sure to follow, and
God only knows what would happen.
For her sake If for no other reason
take her ashore at once" IS
Brandon saw only too plainly the
truth that he had really seen all the
time, but to which he had shut his
eyes. and. throwing Mary's cloak over
her shoulders, prepared to go ashore.
As they went over the side and pulled
off a great shout went up from the ship
far more derisive than cheering, and
the men at the oars looked at each 9TH
er askance and smiled. What predic-
ament for a princess! Brandon cursed
himself for having been such a knave
and fool as to allow this to happen.
He had known the danger all the time,
and his act could not be chargeable to
ignorance or failure to see the proba-
BILE consequences. Temptation and self
ish desire had given him temerity in
place of judgment.
When the princess stepped ashore, 1t
seemed to her as if the heart in her
breast was different and separate
organ from the one she had carried
aboard.
As the boat put off again for the ship
Its crew gave a cheer coupled with