The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-05-24
FORTY YEARS
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Cm Co.

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cuffs on his wrists.
Jack" cried Brady. I'VE aren't 20
Ing to hurt you. We've rescued you
from the hill tribes. Man. you're
sayedw
"You never was no deserter," said
Hatch.
Mind you back US up. old fellow"
said Winterslea.
"Giye us your Hn, boy" said Ho-
than.
II was some time before Jack could
pull himself together. When at last he
did 80 and began TO appreciate the gen.
crosity Of bis captain and shipmates
and their astounding concern to save
him from the penalty OF his crime. he
underwent one Of those reactions when
despair gives way to the maddest
gayety. He swore at Hatch and made
him take of the Irons. He got out
bottle Of white rum and forced them
all to drink his health. He kept them
In q roar with the story OF bis adven.
lures and laughed and cried In turn an
be described bis life ashore.
what does she wantT demanded
Brady. as Tchea lnsistently repeated
some words In native language
"she says said Jack. calmly pick
Ing up the whistle from the floor and
touching II TO his lips, 'she says I've
| only 10 blow this and you will all be
dead In five minutes"
A hush fell upon the company.
Jack. with an oath. flung the whistle
from him.
Gentlemen" he said. II am grateful.
! am id grateful. If live shall
try TO repay each one OF you. shall
try TO he better man. | shall try to
be worthy OF your kindness" He went
around and shook hands solemnly with
every one OF them"
"D---d grateful" he repeated.
Lets be or" said Brady.
Now. lad. your word of honor" said
Winterslea.
Jack looked about him helplessly.
II suppose I've no right TO ask such
a thing" he said. II know how good
you've been to me already and all that.
but-but, gentlemen, she's my wife. !
love her. shall never see her again.
May not entreat q single minute for
myseifi"
NO" said Brady.
Jack went over to Tehea and took
her hand. He put his arms about her
and unashamed before them all pressed
her comely head against his breast. He
tried TO explain the inexorable fate
he was so powerless TO resist, In
incohcrent whispers he told her he
would break his chains and return to
her free In the years to come to devote
his life to the woman he loved. He
called her the dearest names and beg
ged her not TO forget him, but she, with
a perception greater than his own.
swept away these despairing protesta-
tions with dsdain. The daughter of
one. king, the sister OF another could
she not meet force by force? These
fierce intruders. with their rough voices
and drawn pistols. who were they to
threaten princess OF the royal blood
and carry away her lover before her
eyes? II they were strong she was
stronger, and what ship cannon, she
asked. however murderous or far rang.
ing. could penetrate those mountain re-
cesses whittier she would carry him be-
fore the morning2 All, she said, II
was for him to choose between her
and them; between Britain and the
island between love and the service Of
the white queen beyond the seas.
II have chosen" he said.
Her eyes flashed as she freed herself
from his arms.
~ am hateful In my own sight for
having loved you" she said,
"Will you not even wish me well,
Tehea?' he asked.
moi" she cried. II hope you will
die"
lie turned away.
"Siati" she cried after him.
He came back to her, downcast and
silent,
Remember" she said In an agony
of sweet relenting. that wherever
thou goest, however many the years
that may divide us, however wide the
waters or the land, shall be here
waiting for thee, here In this house Of
our happiness, and If die before thou
comest here thou wilt find my grave"
"Tehea." he said, 'as God sees me,
some day shall returnw
She took his hands and looked up
into his face with such poignant long
ing and tenderness that Jacks COM
rades. already uncomfortable enough.
were quite overborne by the scene.
Tough old Hatch snuftled audibly, and
Brady could hardly speak,
Come. come, lad" he cried huskily,
"you mustn't keep us longer!"
Jack unclasped the girls hands and
suffered himself to be led away by his
comrades. A few minutes later they
clambered up the ladder, the boat was
hosted In and the boatswain's whistle
was rouslng the watch on deck
"Mainsail haul"
D., t,,, hA tell Nd huI ha