The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-01-10

COLDS life would not be worth a mo-
ment's thought and Alvarado would be
baked in his plans of rescue.
Mercedes most thankfully received
the weapon and promised to respect
the confidence.
AS far as creature comforts were
concerned, the two women Jared well.
Indeed. they were sumptu5usly, lavish
~, prodigally provided for Sonora
Agapida was still in Il state of com
plete prostration. She lay helpless Oh
a couch in the apartment and minis
tering to her distracted the poor girls
mind, vet such day as Mercedes de
Lara passed she prayed she might
never again experience. The town
was filed With the shouts and cries Of
the buccaneers wandering to and fro,
singing drunken choruses. now and
again routing out hidden fugitives
from places of fancied security and
torturing them with ready ingenuity
whenever they were taken. The con
fusion was increased and the noise di-
versified by the shrieks and groans of
these miserable wretches. Sometimes
the voices that came through the high
windows We're those of women. and
the sound of their screams made the
heart of the brave girl sink like lead III
her breast.
For the rest. she did not understand
Hornigold's position. She did not know
whether to believe him or not, but of
one thing was she certain-whereas
she had been defenseless, now she had
a weapon, and she could use it if nee
essary With that in hand she was
mistress at least of her own fate.
AS evening drew on. everything hay
ing been attended toy Morgan began 10
tire Of his isolation. and time hung
heavy on his hands. He was weary CT
the women whom he had hitherto con
sorted with. The other officers, between
whom and himself there was no sort
of friendship, were busy with their
own nefarious wickedneSSeS III the diff
ferent parts of the fort or town, and
lie sat a long time alone i'll the guarG
room drinking, Black Dog. as usual
pouring at his side. The liquor i'll
famed his Imagination. and he craved
conIpanonship. Summoning HOrni-
gold at last. he babe him bring Donna
Mercedes before him. The Old man at
tempted to eXpostulate, but Morgan
mood had changed, and he brooked no
hesitation in obeyins any order given
by him. There was nothing for the
boatswain to do but to comply.
Once more Mercedes. therefore. found
herself in the guardroom of the fort in
the presence of the man she l0athed
and feared above all others i'll creation.
She glanced at the clock. Il recent i'm
pnrtation from Spain. hanging upon the
wall. as she entered and saw that it
was half after Q. Ten was the hour
Hornigold had appointed to meet Alya
RADIO at the gate. She hoped that he
would he early rather than late, and,
II she could withstand the buccaneer
by persuasion. seeming compliance or
by force for q short space. all would be
we'll for she never doubted that her
lover would come for her Even if be
fight for her. she knew he would be
there. Therefore, with every nerve
strained almost to the breaking point
to ward off his advances and to delay
any action he might contemplate, she
faced the buccaneer
He was dressed with barbaric mag
nificence in the riches and plumber he
had appropriated. and he had adorned
MS person with Il profusion of silver
and gold and stolen gems. He had been
seated ut the table while served by the
maroon; bit, as she entered, with unit
sual con. plaiSallcc he arose and bowed
To her with something of the grace of
gentleman.
"Madam." he said, endeavoring to
make soft and agreeable his harsh
voice. Il trust you have been well
treated since i'll my charge
lie had been drinking heavily. she
saw. but as he spoke her fair she
would answer him accordingly. On his
part he HAD determined to try the gen
der arts of persuasion. and. though his
lace sun pore tlle WeltS llaue ny mel
riding whip the night before. he strove
10 forget it and play the gentleman.
She answered his question calmly with
out exhibiting resentment or annoy
ance.
I'VE have been comfortably lodged
and provided with food and drink in
Sufficiency. senior"
and what more would you have.
D.,.1,. tar,.nlaS