Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-10
Don't wish it at all, my young
friend, It's dangerous situation to be


are you engaged to the lady, captain?
Don't answer me if ask an imperti-
nent question, but If am to help you,
should like to know something"
well, emo, not exactly, in fact,
not at all. She is betrothed to Lieut.
Denis de Wire, of the French navy"
ooh, to him!" exclaimed Hatfield,
who was familiar with the public his
tory of de Wires exploits In Canada.
Eyes"
"And is she-er--in love with him."
mo"
We'll, is she--aht----'
yes, with me-
sand can't you get her to break her
II don't know. think not That
sn't all. OF course the old marquis,
her grandfather and only relative, is
to be considered, and he will probably
have chosen some one in France for
her."
THAT is a complication, indeed"
"Yes, isn't it? But 1t seems to me
that the more people there are in the
game the better chance for me. You
see, SO long as she-ah-loves me, /
seem to hold the winning card"
"Of course, but what do you propose
to dog"
''I'm not sure. shall deliver the
dispatches to Sir Edward, and then I
think l shall ask permission to go
oChNrn WI, 20
the land thoroughly, and am familiar
with the old castle where she lives,
the Chateau de Josselin, tits called.
1t lies on the shore off the mouth Of
the harbor entrance. There Is way
into 1t that no one knows but the lady,
and think"
''Why do you hesitate?"
well, l saved the mans life, and
his honor too-de Wires, you know
and hardly like to steal his betrothed
bride; you see, he could not very we'll
resent it If did-er-gratitude. feel
the obligation 1 have conferred"
"Nonsense!' Forgive my frankness,
you've done enough for him already.
You gave him life, honor, let him be
satisfied with that. Take love for
yourself, captain"
~ think I will, Hatfield, and So
SIN short, you mean to carry her
off, do you?"
Eyes, that's about it,"
Cutting out a woman, eh, rather
than ship?"
Eyes. Now that you know the situa-
ton. what say you? Will you join
me?"
with all my heart!" cried the
younger man, his eyes dancing with
excitement, "and should like nothing
better. Cad, twould be an exploit
indeed if we could succeed! They'd talk
about it forever in the clubs"
Thank you. knew you would,
and we will succeed or die, my friend"
responded Grafton impetuously, with
out considering that the prospect Of
death could not be SO inviting to his
friend as it was to himself in case Of
failure. But Hatfield was game.
WELL he said, stretching out his
hand, "here's by hand on 1t. Success
10 our enterprises!
That's good" replied Grafton, i'm
mensely relieved. II was sure | could
depend upon you"
Now tell me how you propose to
get into the castle if she's there
II think she will surely be there.
that for him, and thorough gentle,
man, too. He picked out the fastest
ship in the basin. You know the
French build better ships than We do.
He has probably driven her as hard
as we have and he had several days
start of us. His orders take him to
Brest, and it's most natural that he
should take her to the Chateau de
Josselin, which is her grandfather's
castle. There is an oriel window in
the keep tower overlooking the sea,
and there is a practicable way of gain
ing the balcony surrounding it."
Land ho!" came floating down from
| their heads.
Where away?" cried Hatfield
promptly.
Broad off the weather bow, sir"
THAT ought to be Ushant," re-
| marked Grafton.
yes, and just where we thought it
would be, off yonder.'
Hold on as we are, Hatfield We
will soon raise it from the deck We
must be making all of ten knots in
this ripping breeze. Do you think she
could stand the mainto'gallant saii?"
"Hardly,s answered Hatfield, throw
ing glance aloft well, perhaps
she might, but what would be the use
Of 1t, captain? Well be there quickly
enough, anyway"
Perhaps you are right But we
ought to have seen some of Sir Ed
wards fleet before this 1 don't I'M
derstand it. Alofts there!"
"Sir?"
DO you see any sails to leeward?"
"No, sir"
Cor anywhere?"
"No, SIR
Keep bright lookout for them"