Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-01-15
NVII.-oContinucdD

as that Of a man.
There was no reply.
where are you, | say" was repeat
ed. impcriously Are you ashamed TO
spcakY
mol What do you want|
The buccancrr started in surprise, ana
faced round
"Are Won there? Coward! Traitor,
This explnins all This is the meaning of
the naughty contcmpr-thc miserable
GOODNESS. Humphrey Armstrong you,
the brave odicer!'
"Wouan, are you madT
"Ycs! Madw cried the buccaneer
fcrccly. 81 scorn myself for my weak,
pitiful fancy for 50 dcspirabe creature
as YOU. So this is the brave captain,
holding nightly meetings with that WON
an"
"As I would with anyone who could
helm me TO escape from this vile bond
age" said Humphrey.
"ViIc! Who has made it viIeF
"You," said Humphrey stcrnIy, and
as il | 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 cast her
self down, thrown her arms around nm,
and laid her cheek against his feet.
"Trample on me and crush me, or Kill
me-" she moancd. II am mad. did
not think it. Humphrey, have pity on
me- You do not know
He trembled as she spoke, and clinchcd
his fists tightly; but making an effort
over himself he said, Coldly:
"You have imprisoned the woman's low
err, and she says he Is to die. She came,
there as she has come many times be-
fore, to plan escape with me and the man
] persuaded to be the partner OF my
flight. For this he is to die"
1T is the mems will groaned the pros
trate woman.
''She has been praying to me to save
her lover. felt could not ask you; but
l do ask. Spare the poor fellows life,
and set him free
do you wish itT'
Eyes"
"He shall be set free. You see, | can
be merciful, while you alone are stern
and cold How long am ! to suffer this?'
How long will you keep me here a
prisonerH'
How long will you keep yourself a
prisoner, you should say. 1t is for you
to be master here; for me to be your
slave. How can | humble myself-de'
grade myself-moreW
Humphrey drew his breath in an angry
impatient hiss.
"For heavens sake, riser' he cried
"You lower yourself. You humble me
Come, let us talk sensibly. do not want
~ 81 I will nn On hittn
things Give me your hand"
He took the hand nearest him as h
bent down, and raised the PROSTATE WON
an.
BE seated" he said, gravely. Let M
talk to you as | would to someone VIII
can listen in an unprecedented spirit
$50 on, You torture me-
II must torture you, for have word
to speak that must he uttered
He paused for few moments; an,
then went on, speaking now quickly an
agitatedly, as if the words he uttere'
gave him pain at the same time that the
inflicted it upon another.
when | was chosen to command thi
expedition, against one who had mad
the name of Commodore Junk terror a
round the gulf and amid the isles, kneN
not what my fate might be. There wer
disease and death to combat and NIGH
never return"
He paused again Then more hurried
ly:
There was one to whom"
"Stopr' came in quick, angry voice
Il know what you would say; but 20
do not love another. 1t is not true"
Humphrey Armstrong paused agar
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 not degraded myself enough,
Have not suffered till | am nearly ma
that you tell me this?" came in piteou
tones.
WAS | to blameW
"You2 No. 1t was our fate. What
triumph was mine, to find that l. Il
master who had lived 80 long with n
secret known but to poor Bart, was no
beaten. humbed-to find that day by ds
l was less powerful Of will-that my m,
we're beginning to lose confidence in m
and were ready to listen to the pho
and ptaus of one whom | had spared, (
by day. Humphrey Armstrong. have "
no return to offer me for oil have 81
fered-all have lost? Tell me this
false. You do not-yOu cannot-love II
womau"
He was silent.
lis she so beautiful Is she so tru
Will she give you wealth and pOwe
Will she lay down her life for We
Would she degrade herself for you as
have done, aad kneei before you, sayiI
Have pity on mel love your
Hush, womanW cried Humphr,
hoarsely "and for PHYS sake-the pity
which you speak-let us part aud meet
more. | cannot. will not listen
your words. Give me my liberty. and
me GO"
''rO denounce me aud mine"
"Am [ such a coward. such a wret
that should do this" he cried passi
Ately.
''Theu stay. Listen: | will give y
love such as woman never gave man
fore. / loved your cousin as u we
he Ia