The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-12
The NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published in daily instalments on this page
-THE
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
BY HARRY COLLNGwooD
CHAPTER XII.

n. however any such idea really en-
tered his mind. ne was careful to restrain
all expression OF IL, and at the end of
Smellies narrative he uttered Just the few
courteous phrases Of polite concern which
seemed appropriate TO the occasion, and
then allowed the subject TO drop. Dona
Antonia, on the contrary evinced a most
lively interest I'm the story, her face light
ing up and her eyes flashing as she asked
question after question. and her parted
lips quivering with excitement and sym
pathetic apprehension as Smellie lightly
touched upon the critical situations I'm
which We had once or twice found our
selves. To my great surprise, and. may
add. disappointment, however. she did not
exhibit very much sympathy In poor
Daphne's tragic fate; on the contrary, she
appeared to me TO listen with a feeling
closely akin TO impatience TO all that part
OF the story with which the negro girl
was connected, and Smellie's frequent
mention OF the poor unfortunate creature
actually elected once or twice slight
but quite unmistakable shrug OF the
lovely shoulders, and decidedly contemp-
tuous fash from the glorious eyes OF his
fair auditor.
I may as we'll az once confess frankly
that, with the usual susceptibility Of cal
low youth, 1 promptly became captivated
py tnt CUdTIllS O1 our lONtiN nOStesS. Hnn
j may we'll complete my confession
By stating that, with the equally usual
overweening conceit of callow youth, l
quite expected 10 find my clumsy and III
timed efforts TO render myself agreeable
- my charmer speedily successful In
this expectation, however, 1 was doomed
10 be grievously disappointed: for / soon
discovered that, whilst Dona Antonia was
good-natured enough to receive my awk-
ward attentions with unvaryng patience
and polteness, IL was Smellie's footstep
and the sound OF his voice which caused
her bosom to heave tumultuously. So.
In extreme disgust, at the lady's deplor-
able lack OF taste and discernment. waA
fain TO abandon my efforts TO fascinate
ler, attaching myself 20 her father in
stead and accompanying him, gun In
hand, on his frequent rambles through
the forest In search OF specimens
Returning to the house one evening
rather late. we found a stranger await
Ing Don Manuels arrival. That Is to
say. no was stranger to Smellie and
myself, but he was evidently q toerably
intimate acquaintance OF our host and
hostess. He was tall. dark. handsome
we'll built man, evidently a spaniard. with
black. restless. cleaning eyes, a well-knit
fgrc. and manner so very free-anA easy
as TO be almost offensive. His attire con-
sisted OF n loose jacket OF fine blue cloth
garnished with gold buttons fine linen
shirt OF snowy whiteness, loose. white,
rankesn trousers confined at the waist by
q crimson silk-sash, and n pair Of car
vas slippers on his otherwise naked feet
He were a pair OF gold rings In his small.
well-shnped ears, and the gold-mounted
horn handle OF what was doubtless n
stilletto peeped unobtrusiveiy from
among the folds OF his sash crimson
cap OF knitted silk with tassel of same
depending from it's pointed crown lay on
a chair near him. and completed a cos
tune, which. whilst IL undoubtedly set or
his vcry fine figure TO advantage. struck
ms ms being OF a somewhat theatrical
character
Don Manuel greeted him I'm Spanish with
effusion and yet with--I thought faint
suspicion OF uneasiness. on our entrance,
and then introduced him 10 Smellle and
me In English. as Senor Garcia MADEIRA
He bowed stiffly in acknowledgment.
murmured something 20 the effect that he
mo speak Inglese." and then rather rude
ly turned his back upon us. and address,
Ing Dona Antonla In Spanish. evidently
laid himself out TO play the agreeable to
her.
think we all-except Senior MADEIRA
felt slightly uncomfortable at dinner and
for the remainder OF that evening. Don
Manuel indeed strove with all his might
20 promote and encourage general con-
versation, but his behavior lacked that
graceful ease which usually characterized
Il, his manner was constrained; he was
obviously making an effort TO dissipate
the slight suggestion OF discord which OBJ
stinately asserted itself In the social at
mosphere. and I could see that he was a
little ruffled at finding his efforts ursuc-
cessful. As for Antonia. Il was easy TO
see that the new guest was TO her an un-
l. q a "
tions distasteful TO her. yet. either be-
cause he was a guest or for some other
cogent reason, she evidently did her best