The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-25

"Absutdl" she exclaimed. quickly. IAN
unlikely supposition!'
do you think so?"
II do!'
And the project absurd7''
"Assnredly. sirl"
well, I do not. and my designs are
| already rnatured"
ION the lines suggested?"
"Pre cisely!' said Redlaw, sitting UP
| with decisive nod. "My Lady son,ers.
mean to make your daughter my wife"
| "Preposterous, shocking!'' cried Lady
| somers, hoarsely.
More shocking than sthe fate from
which I snntched both you and her?'
! demanded Redlaw, sternly
But DEATH"
Worse than death. my LADY, he cried,
swinging his chair nearer. "And mean
| to take advantage OF the situation IN
| which you are placed and to have my
| to accompany you to England as your
daughters husband. both with your sane
] ton and support, and to find IN your
| proud household that immunity from BUS
pcon and discovery which Its shelter
will afford!
II am resolved! Ny Lady somers, your
Daughter becomes-ny wife!"
"Impossible!"
ut shall be that--or worse!"
She shrank from tho look that had
swept to his face. In the eyes that were
bent now upon her own beauty there
| were burning the fires OF determin alton
| through her every nerve. Hueess, trern-
bling vislbly. controlling her voice only
by strenuous efforts. she cried family:
fare you demon? Are you"
mo. not a demon!" he interrupted
harshiy. FOR demons delight in evil
only, and for evils sake! But my as
pirations now are lofty! am not a
to regalning something lost-and nor
man nor devil shall turn me from It.
Dye hear, my Lady Somers Z"
Eyes. hear!' she answered, with
startling firnness. But your infamous
scheme is not feasible. You forget that
my nephew knows you for what you
are!"
laughed aloud.
"Your nephew! your valiant nephew!"
he cried derisively. well. let him. know
the secret! -'Fore heaven, my Lady
somers, I'll stake my life he'll be the
very last to betray .t!'
But there are others aboard here"
''Others-pah!', again he cried. II will
insure the eternal silence OF all others
hers! When our bridal party leaves my
We sci. my lady, our past will be left
Ebelind., so FAR as these others are con-
cerned. Let mo alone to warrant that,
my ladyl''
Moro even than ir his words, there
was In the renegade's taunting manner
and assurance that which left no doubt
OF his infamous determination, and
Lady Somers, moved beyond containing,
uttered a subdued cry Of passionate re-
sentiment, and half started from her
chair.
But this outrage Is utterly impos-
sible!" she cried desperately. Such a
design could not be executed Ny hus-
band alone
'eYour husband also has had my con-
sideratior!" Redlaw sternly Interrupted.
"D'ye. think, my LADY, should have
forgotten him? He shall be blinded by
your own Misrepresentation Any art
full story Will serve the purpose. II my
lord receives 1t from the lips Of his be-
loved witel Or let It be the truth IT.
self, II need be. Forsooth. will dare
nv Lord somers to dlsclose It and me.
once have involved his daughter, his
lordship's name, the pride OF his house.
and-!''
"You are mad! madi My daughter
never will consent"
.rYour daughters will shall be mine.
my lady!" again the pirate interposed,
with inf1exible severity. Her coercion
should DO ohild's Play, inde aaa s sn
board, my lady, than life with me under.
conditions which"
But now Lady son1ers stopped him
| with a gesture Tho vanity OF arguments
| against such man and such an lnfamy
| had come home to her with Its fun force
| stirring to action the strongest part OF
her lofty character. with eyes flashing
from the deathly wilderness OF her dis
tressed features. she started to her feet,
crying forcibly:
4, 1T will hear no more of this. sir! There
are no conditions involving the sacrifice
Of honesty and virtue to which my daush-
ter will Yield consent. More than that,
sir, she shall not! Understand me; death
Itself were better far than the alternative
you propose
'Do you say so?"
II do and will while breath Ia mine.
Ere such fate shall betall her. with
my own hand I will thrust her from
| your vessels deck into the. sea. VIII
hear no moreI You are a, knave and a
coward! You may do your worst,-out
your worst shall never be what you have
| threatened!''
He had interrupted her only once, and
then hut coldly; yet there was on his
| face a look few women would have cared
| to brave. He rose to his feet, came dark
and t,reatening around thu cabin table
and stood before her, with his rude hands
clasping either OF her arms and and his
evil eyes piercing the depths OF hers,
do you say so. my Lady soners!'
he repeated significantly IN tones hoarse
will swelling passion, "Harkee, then. and
you shall know her fate-and yours!"
Terrified, with heart pulseless, with
knees weakening beneath her, she would
have strven to escape him: but hlsstrong
hands were holding her as In avice.
| "Let mo go!'' she gasped family.
$50 soon ~ he laughed softly with
| his breath hot on her cold cheek. Shall
she be mines Mine with your aid? with
your
you're man"
II will let you go only when you
promlse--or when all that you cherish
most dearly has been sacrificed nivain to
! the refusal which
Bang!
1t was the sudden report Of pistol,
sounding sharp and startling directly