New-York tribune., 1908-08-09
The Spitfire
Continued Jro1, 0lgs y

mate ami two brawny seamen: but just what
order o- witnesses they We're 70 be remained
for the moment matter OF conjecture. FER
haps the cOuntenanCe OF BeaSley Tn1Sht De
used as prima facIe evidence.-for certainly
his battered features might be marked EX-
hibit \ to but the Judge employed his
witnesses for a very different purpose
Mr. Beasley," he said suddenly, while
pointing a stern, accusing finger at the South
erner, put that man irons
THE order came like the bursting Of shell,
Valda cried out hoarsely and leaned tor
support against the rosewood panetng, whlIe
Polly and Aunt Mary. III the dining room
beyond. clung trembling IN each others
arms. The masculine spectators stared as II
petritied, and the Southerner alone seemed
reused = action He flung up his chm IN the
manner of a horse SPurred cruelty MS EIlethS
grew crimson; and his hrS were SET M q .isiL'
Straight line The big mate glanced from the
Spittire's owner to Morson-Brown IN respectful
hesitation.-a respect for physical predo1nl-
nance rather than the mental
81 II beg pardon. Mr.. tIlrard, ne n1uttered'
" but we have no irons on board, sir
The old mans FIST again came down on tle
table as he beloved at Beasley, Then DO II
with a rope YOU fooli l don't care q hang Tor
Your details! Truss him up, and De quick
about it,
Once more the mate hesitated IN executing
orders He looked at the lean, slneWy athiete
who had backed against the wall, ana felt m
Stinctiyelv that another grapevine on the
point of his aching Jaw was q thlng tnaI ne
could not even bear to contemplate. -N9 lol
the two brawnV Seamen. BurrusS and ConnoTr
they had no quarrel with " Browny. and also
felt a little out of his class with reference to
technical hooks and swings and things; but
again the Spittire'S master roared his orders
and the three men began to close IN very
cautiously
There might have been a very pretty row
indeed. except that the close mOuthed Tracy
took a hand. That man. up to the present
moment had failed to sparkle with any degree
of executive ability: vet now he almost proved
his claim as an officer OF the law and a man OF
resource He wasted no time by opening his
mouth. but whipped out a short barreled. ugly
six-shooter and pointed 1t at the head OF the
troublesome member
The Southerner smiled piacidly into the
vawn of the 80, advanced a step. and began t.
lift his arms in the additionally accepted
fashion of one who gives up hope. together with
his other valuables; but suddenly one half
raised hand was pointed 70 4 portfolio oPpo-
site.
Look" he cried. and Tracy turned his
head and looked.
Now there nothing unusual in the ap-
pearance Of this particular Porthoie, and SO the
secretary found 1t. but in that instant of
startled curiosity his weapon gathered
deftlv from his fist. though one of its charges
impaired the usefulness of tranSOm overhead.
This was rather nortifying to an officer OF the
law. especially since Ms own CiulIlSlltSS IlGi
provided the prisoner with loaded pistol.
allowing him once more to back against the
wall a smiling master OF the situation
Oruond himself was armed. but was also
equipped with understanding. He had visited
in the West and there acquired a reverence
for certain hvgienic laws. causing him TO regard
the present occasion as tritie inopportune for
the display of his own artillery.
This moral reserve however. was rendered
| useless by the actions of Morson-Brown, which
were strange, to put it mildly. He turned to
| Nalda, as ii waiting for her To speak in his de
fenSe. or. if not 70 help him. to give some sign.
at least, to guide his future course; but she
| deliberately turned her head away and refused
| t. meet his gaze The Southerner seemed
| troubled. He sighed in regrettul resignation,
then slowly elected the cartridges from Tracvs
| pistol pocketei them. and tossed the empty
weapon on the table.
Things like that he remarked casually,
| are sometimes likely to get their owners into
trouble He turned to the former owner and
| added, in a still more quiet tone. ou might
have injured one OF the ladies. Mr. Tracy-or
| Your own prospects.
| This time the spectators were more aston
| ishei than ever, for the literally
! throwing away his chances master OF the