Chicago eagle., 1904-10-22

to her feet, she gazed a moment
wildly on the wicked mans face, and
threw herself on her knees at his feet.
"Spare-spare-oh. spare me!' she
cried In fearless. burning agony. while
she clasped her hands and raised them
toward him.
A dark. grim smile passed over the pi-
rates face, but when he spoke his fea-
lures were as stern as ice.
MARY" he said, you know how much
has been done to thwart me. But now
the power is In my hands. Go and pre-.
pnre. Otehewn, you will assist her"
"Yes. SIR" And as the slave girl
spoke. she moved to the maiden's side,
and seemed to wait for her to rise.
without another word, Mary followed
Otehewa from the room. and when she
had reached her own chamber she threw
herself upon her bed and burst into a
flood Of tears.
"My mistress" said the faithful girl.
after the maiden had wept for some
minutes. hope is not yet all gone. But
you cannot escape this ordeal. 1t must
come"
Heaven have mercy.' grcnned the
stricken maiden. clasping her hands In
agony. 10 Otehewa. you do not know
what you say. Go through with this
ordeal! His wife,
"-sh! Speak not SO. my mistress" :"
urged the faithful girl. ut the same time
winding her arms about Mary's neck.
"This night there shall be an empty
mockery performed by man who pro.
fnnes the sacred name Of God. While
live have faith In me. On the morrow
Buffo burlington will be here.
"And what Of himf' asked Mary.
quickly.
More than I can tell. I'm sure.
know he has the power and will serve
thee. hut waste not time now. Be sure
our bad master must be obeyed for the
present"
Mary saw where she stood. and that
abe must obey; aud she allowed her maid
t0 do 40 she pleased, she herself seeming
only a piece Of mechanism In the hands
Of q master. At length she was pre-.
pared. She was robed in white, for %
Otehewa had chosen. Her hair was free
from Jewels. but q few orange blossoms
we're braided with Il. About her pure,
white neck wns Q chain of gold. from
which depended cross set with magnif-
cent diamonds. Mary had objected to
every article. but the maid. noticed her
not.
Soon there came a rap upon the door,
and Hasar presented herself. She had
come to announce that her master wait.
ed for his bride. Again the poor girl
would have tainted but for the words
of her attendant.
III you falter now. all will BE- lost," "
urged Otehewa. II know Mari Laroon
well. and know that he will carry out
what hs has begun. Sustain yourself
yet a few hours. and I will do the rest
Will you not trust meT
or course Mary could not say no: and
yet how great q thing she gave In that
trust. She stood upon the brink Of u
yawning gulf. and she was bidden to leap
into II. She was to be forced to make
tue dreadful plunge. Leap" says the
maid. "and will see that you do not
sink. for will carry you safely over"
But o. the devoted one looks down Into
the hOrrid pit she sees nothing but death
and torment. SO she may give up. but
hope II far from her the while.
And Mary followed Hagar from the
chamber. and Otehewa walked by heI
side and supported her. They entered
the drawing room. and Laroon was therl
hsbited In his most sumptuous uniform
Of his own designing. The priest was
there In his sacred robes, and some OF
the servants stood back by the high win.
dows.
"By my faith" uttered the buccanssr,
90 hs moved forward and took Mary's
hand IL never saw you look 10 well.
Now we will soon be one for life"
Perhaps Mari Laroon mistook that
look which he received. for one OF calm.
ness. II was q calmness, but such calm.
ness % q marble slab maintains when
the fierce blast sweeps over the church.
yard. She was now all rigid aud cold
for her heart had sunk to Its lowest
depths.
I'VE are ready"
Thus spoke the buccaneer chieftain-.
and he spoke to the priest The man
OF the church moved forward, and Mar
I.aroon took Mary's cold hand In his
The priest read from his book, and then
hs asked the bridegroom the usual ques'
tons. They were answered promptly
but yet nsrvously. Next he asked Mary
the same questions, but she did not an
swsr. A flash Of Ars darted from the
pirates eyes. and he turned . terrible
look upon the priest. That man cared
not whose soul was crushed. and he went
ON with the ceremony. In one more short
minute the words had been spoken and
Mary Delaney was pronounced the wife
Of Mari Laroon!'
The slaves. acting under Instruction.
cot up q wild shout Of professsd Joy. Ia
the midst Of which Marl led his bride q
Q seat.
my MASTER" cried Otehewa. comm,
up aud falling ON her knees before him
''lst me b. the 6rst to wish you Joy oi
your blessing. Mine shall be the task ol
servins your fair and lovely wife with
all my poor strength"
GOOD Otehewa, + faith I'd give the.
thy freedom vert not for my bride. Bu,
bring the wine now"
The servants brought the wine and
placed 1t upon the sideb0ard. Hagal
would have served her master first, but
Otehewa was too quick for her. The In
dian Eirl seized small waiter and upon
Il she placed two goblets. One was Oi
rock crystal and small. while the Othel
was Of silver and held a pint. Beneath
her sleeve the maid had a small bladder
secured by string to her waist, and
within this was q small potion Of heI
own preparing. She had gathered It from
the herbs of her own native forests. and
she knew well Ito properties. With q
small knife she punctured the bladde,
and then, as she poured out the wine
into the goblet Of crystal, she so held
her wrist that the bladder emptied itself
into the silver cup. When she had filled
them both--and the mystic maneuver she
had performed had detained her hardly
an in,, outsho hastena,l IN the newly