Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-09
By A m bros Pratt

IN close and passionate embrace
She told him her story soon, and its simplicity
amazed him.
Madame Viyella who, after the murder of
.Jibaloff and the ruthless destruction of the Turk
lsh yacht, had been seized with sudden terror
of her father-a terror which had overwhelmed
every other sense-in the abandon of her mad
and unreasoning panic had determined to risk
everything and fly from the accused island but
nevertheless feared to depart alone.
Unable to find Desire, who was then actually
embarked upon similar undertaking. she had
forced Miss Elliott to be the companion of her
enterprise. After stealing the Counts key of
the boat and also providing herself with guam
tity of valuable jewels, she had halfled, half
dragged Francne who still dazed and stu
pid from her swoon, down from the castle to the
beach, probably not many moments after Crossing
ham had himself landed there.
Embarking on the nearest of the boats she
had hosted the SAIL and in spite Of the rising
gale had fearlessy sailed out for the open sea-
! The night had been dreadful one, during which
| Francine had lain in the bottom of the tossing
craft in all the horrors of seasckness, but
| Madame had managed the boat with the skill
and courage of man, and before evening of
! the next day they arrived without mishap safely
| in the bay of San Reno
There Madame had supplied the girl with a.
! few pounds of ready money and had herself de-
parted, giving no hint of her destination. Fran
|
and there arrived found to her unutterable joy
that her father had after all survived the effects
of the poison administered to him by Madame
and was then residing in his own house, bedrid-
den and still half paralyzed, but on a fair way
to complete recovery. She had then heard for
the first time of Cressingham's successful escape
from the island, and the mission he had under
taken to procure her own release
Cresslngham listened in speechless surprise to
the girls story, lovingly holding her. hands the
while, and almost vainy endeavoring to realize
the splendid fortune which had come to him so
blessedly and unexpectedly. When all was told
he was, in his turn, obliged to turn historian
and relate to Francine every detail of what had
occurred to him.
He asked smilingly at length: Sweetheart,
after my escape did you receive message from
me~
"By Desire?"
"Yes''
The girl of sudden withdrew her hands from
his grasp and arose to her feet The hours had
fled in their rapt converse, and the room was
already almost dark Frank" she said, slowly,
what you doing when I into this
room and found you?"
The man flushed a little. I'D rather not tell
YOU" he muttered.
"You had better if it what fancy, for L
have a grievance against you, dear"
"What is your grievance, sweetheart"
Tell me what you were doing'
Il thought you were dead, ne Whispered
was-lxissng the place where your head had often
rested. Now tell me your grievance, Francne
The girls eyes were luminous as she looked at
him. f'It is gone now" she murmured; gone!
that kiss of yours has washed its score away
"It was not a great one then, sweetheart,
"Was it not? was it not? I vowed at one time
never to speak to you, never to look at you
again, because of it."
"Francine how could you make such vow?"
Gas easily as 1 shall again, and keep it, too
if YOU should ever dare to be unfaithful to me
so much as in a thought"
"You were jealous" cried Cressingham, spring
ing to his feet delghtedly; Jealous because
kissed Desire oh, you beautiful darling how
love you for it'll
There was a catch in FTancine's voice as sh'
replied: How could you do it, Frank All
vour love must be different from mine! If
were to do such thing i would feel that haC
committed the worst of crimes. All, but coul'
not could notl
Cressingham caught her passonatey in hi
arms and his lips on hers he whispered low
"Sweetheart, with this kiss pledge my faith T.
YOU for now and evermorel Darling, my darling
again, with this-and this!"
Francine was satisfied; and Cressingham-
since his kisses were returned.
FINS.