Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-09-24
CHAPTER XIV.

Paul walked modify NJ and down tho
quarter deck. and no one came there to
trouble him. Once he had seen BuffO
Burlington since he had returned, but II
was only for n moment. That individ-
ual had come M the fore hatch, hut upon
seeing Paul on deck he went immedi-
ately back. That alone would have been
enough to convince the young man that
burlington was the bptrnyer. Or course
he felt the most utter contempt AMI In
dignatiOn toward the dark Hooking man.
hut yet he could not sec through the
whole OF II. The young man was walk
ing thus when the steward came and
told him that the captain would see him
In the cabin.
Paul ut once obcyc,l the summons. AMI
when he entered the cabin he found
Mary there. habited in her own .arb.
and looking very pale. She sat away
In one corner, but when Paul came In
she quickly arose and went To meet him.
'Stop," said the pirate captain. You
may De- seated together. II you wish"
Accordingly Paul sat down upon the
softly cushioned seat which extended
all around the cabin. He looked into
LaroOn's fice. aud he found an expires
sion there which was beyond his power
to translate. But Mary left him not long
for study.
Paul." he said. speaking very calmly
and candidly. but yet revealing some
thing In his black eyes which gave the
lie to his manner. II have sent for you
10 let YOU into secret which ! meant
ever to have kept from you. You may
think that have never loved yOu--that
I have never cared for you more thnn
amy other man or boy who may hnyc
been under me. Now. why have you
wished 10 fee from me?'
Because l lOathe the life I am here
forced to lead. I alludc to the dark. con-
dcmning crime that surrounds mo on
every hand. and the atmosphere Of which
I am forced to breathe"
"Ah, You fear the gallovs!"
mo, sir ! fear God and my own
soul"
"Weil. perhaps you do But now tell
mo why you would have taken Mary
with your
"For the self-sa,mc reason on her
part"
'What did you mean to do with your
charge after you had got clear?"
II meant to place her In a position
where she could have been contcntcd an,i
happy
"And Mary had consented to hc.o'ue
your wifeY'
II had consented. SIR" replied Mary.
frankly.
''Then ] shall never believe in the In
stincts Of nature more. uttered the cup
tain, looking first upon the youth and
then upon the maiden. Paul he added.
changing his tone IL one Of deep import,
Il have tried tn deceive you. You are
not my child"
At any other Time the young maj,
would have received this announcement
with Joy: hut now u terrible fear struck
10 his heart. and his brow grew cold
with n freezing moisture.
"You are no child of mine. and no rea-
tive save by adoption" continued La
room. "Your father died when you were
only three years ol,l--or rather nearer To
four. Your real nam" is--nelany!"
"Delany!' gasped Paul.
"Ay." returned the pirate while II
grim smile played upon his dark fca-
lures. "You hear the same name as does
Mary---so IL you should ever marry her,
there would he no change of names,
Curious. isn't it?"
80 on" gaspcd Paul, paying no at
tcntion TO this last fling.
ITS all told in very few words," the
pirate captain resumed. MARY is your
sister"
1T cannot be- cried the stricken
youth, clasping his hands.
II never spoke more truly in my lfe,"
replied Laroon. ''She il your own sis
ter You had but one father and one
mother, though the father died some