The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-04
9 o Go q e-e-e- Q 80
CHAPTER xIx.-cont,nued.

morning dress, and in the gisten OF her
fearful blue eyes, there was that Which
told how distressfully she heard Va1ls
appeal. to which she felt she perhaps
owed some consideration.
III in duty l am bound to consider
your Offer she sadly added, my own
heart should in time inform me. I con-
fess that you have done us both great
service. which by no means disregard.
"Robert would not feel so about It,"
put In Lady Somers. whose intercession
evidently had had effect. were he not
about TO leave us. Think. Emily, dear.
how deeply he will cherish any word OF
encouragement from YOU"
do you wish" and the girls fearful
gaze came round to meet that of hor
mother, that should give him this
heart alone speak such word as Cousin
Robert asks of me?'
Later you may know your own heart
better, Emily, dear" was tho gentle re-
joinder. ''At present 1t is burdencd by
too much sorrow. You owe 1t to US all
to overcome this gref. which so saddens
us all. Your father"
us this my fathers wish also?" asked
Emily, with quivering lips.
IL am sure 1t Is.
The girl suppressed sob. Weary In
her hopelessness, moved more by hlial
consideration than by any responsive
affection, she turned to the man stand
ing opposite. She held out her hand to
him, smiling through her tears. but the
smile and the response she gave him
were those of one moved only by a gem
erous sense of duty, whose heart was too
heavy to oppose.
Il cannot give YOU, not now, at least.
sho said, In a slow, tremulous way that
was irresistbly touching, what a. W.
man should give to tho man who asks
what you have asked. I fear that when
Mr.. Walton died. such love as a wife
should give died with him from out my
heart, Yet do not mean to be nnkind
to those left me- Since you are going
away, COUSIN Robert, and II this assur-
ance will make your long absence any
less painful, VIII say at least this--that
I will meantime consider your proposal
Emily"
wait! 7 cannot give you love-not
now! not now! But I will at least think
OF what you ask, and will write you.
And I Will consult my father, too, when
he comes down from London
Such q promise from the lips OF such
girl implied more even than was said.
To Robert Vail knowing her as he did,
and already satisfied of Walton's fate.
the fultillment Of his aspirations seemed
.dSSuT6u. Will d HUSH III ldGSs liiC
deeper perhaps because of momentary
shame, and the glow of Joyous exulta-
ton in his pale blue eyes. he retained
with both Of his the hand Emily had
yielded and held It pressed hard to lis
lips. But even at this moment of con-
scious triumph the blow came which
most men would have given life itself to
have averted. 80
the ears Of all as he came over the
threshold alone.
'I have just arrived from London"
said he. taking up his daughters words,
"and very OPPORTUNITY, 1T seemsI My
wishes may be consulted Immediately"
In the way 1t was said there was that
which startled his hearers more even
than his unexpected entrance. Vail in.
voluntarily dropped Emily's hand and
turned to face him.
Il trust, uncle" he said, with thrill
Of apprehension, that l shall not find
you adverse to my wishes"
Possibly not!" dryly exclaimed Lord
Somers. without glance at his startled
wife and daughter But before sane
ton any wish of yours I shall require
that you answer me one question"
surely, sir" cried Vail, yet tremulous.
despite him, why not, indeed? What
question:"
II wish to know what your relations
were, while in the city of Annoy, with
one Captain Lascar, OF the schooner Ven
ture?
Had Robert Vail suddenly heard his
death sentence pronounced amid all the
sacred solemnity of a judicial court, he
could not have turned more CHASTITY and
G!smayed. His bloodless face alone was
adequate evidence of his heinous guilt.
Yet he gasped hoarsely. striving hard to
pull himself together:
'Lascar? Venture? What do you mean,
sir? Why do you ask me such ques-
ticn?"
why do you not answer it?"
because never heard Of the schooner
Venture or Of Captain Lascar! defy
anyone to disprove It! Though Redlaw
himself We're to affirm"
stop there! Stop right there" Lord
Somers sternly commanded while the
women stood mute with amazement.
There is no need for further affirmation!
Your own words, your Identification or
Cantain Lascar with the pirate RedlaW.
alone declares the truth and gives your
denial the lie! 1t proves more reliably
even than your CHASTITY aspect, which
alcne would suffice, the knavery of which
you have been guilty."
"uncle-"
"silence! Your presence In my house
| is a contamination! The touch Of your
| hand to that of those you have wronged
| Is a pollution! You are a dishonor to
your name. a disgrace to the navy
arthur! Arthur pleaded Lady So
mers, aghast I'm heavens name, what
| does this mean?
ut means that my lord must have gone
mad" cried Vail, desperately. Who al,
leges evil of me? It's a lie! It's lle'
| By whose testimony
THAT of witness to whom you your
self owe life and liberty, you miscreant.
Lord Somers sternly interrupted. "That
OF a man for whose herolsm. and to per-
vert your infamous aims, even the pirate
| Redaw could spare! That of man IN
the light of whose bravery your coward
| Ice"
Good Cod" cried Vail, with a feck
of white froth showing on his ashy lips.
you don't mean-Walton!"
| Father"
1t was the cry Of girl whose very
soul abored with the agonizing suspense
born of sudden overwhelming hope, Lord
somers bowed and turned towards the
door crying gladly:
Now. Mr.. Walton, you may enter"
He came over the threshold with his
aims outstretched, with, tears In his eyes,
and his lips tremuous with the name OF
her he loyed--back again into her Ire