The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-05-20

one who addresses a servant. expect
ing implicit obedience.
Lady Darlington" began. stand
ing directly before her. and revertiug
to the use of English. so as to he
certain of making my meaning sufi-
GENTLY clear. whatever explanation I
may make cannot be pleasant. but it
shall be truthful. II is far better that
| you comprehend fully the situation We
are in-your own peril. as well as my
responsibility.
Her expression changed from alb
bitrary defiance TO an amazement not
| untinged by a sudden development of
fear as her hands grasped the chair
| back cOnVulsively; but / went on
| steadily TO the end
Il am not, as you naturally SUD-
| posed, Chilean but a native of North
America. My name is Stephens I
was in Valparaiso under most I'M
| pleasant circumstances, seeking yainly
to escape from the country. and
| bounded by the secret police because
OF my connection lately with a revo-
lutionary movement along the Bolivian
! frontier. The merits of that affair
need not now be discussed. but | had
| become involved in it through certain
| business connections, and had at
! tanned Valparaiso after much hard
| ship, seeking escape by sea There
| discovered every avenue closed
| against me, and was reduced 10 des-
| perate plight | was in hiding from
the governmental authorities when
risked almost certain discovery-last
| evening. A little later-afler you left
! the hotel-a man who I was led 10 be-
! leve represented the Peruvian gov
! eminent, approached me with a
| strange proposition, which. however
| promised immediate release from nv
| dangerous prediCament and. likewise
| a suitable reward for the successful
| performance of certain service
| am a sailor, and the particular duty
| required of me was to be performed
| upon the sea | was asked 10 assume
| the position Of Peruvian naya, can.
tain incapacitated by sudden illness,
IN the surprise and capture of Chill.
| can war vessel the steam yacht Els
| meralda, then supposed TO be lying at
| anchor, poorly guarded. in the outer
harbor off the government docks. For
that purpose l was presented with a
| Peruvian naval commission"
My glance wandered from the mo-
| tionless woman fronting me in such
white silence to Celeste. who had sunk
back upon the bed, her blue eyes
staring at me across the brass rail. ev-
identity experiencing difficulty in trans
lating my rapid English speech.
Il had enjoyed but little opportunity
| of examining the particular vessel We
We're thus employed to capture, as l
! dared not leave the hotel except after
| nightfall." | continued, more slowly.
| Yet I knew her place OF anchorage,
| and that she was a steam yacht Of
! some 700 tons burden, sChoOner-rigged,
with lines promising great speed. OH
| erwise | relied entirely upon the
| knowledge of the officers under me
| We boarded what | believed to be the
| Esmeralda soon after midnight, over
| came the small harbor watch with lit
| tie difficulty, captured the engine
| room, and, by holding a gun al his
ear, persuaded the engineer to operate
| his machinery in our service The
| very audacity OF the attempt brought
| comparatively easy success. The main
cabin had been secured by my orders
| when we first arrived aboard, and l
came below just now, after all danger
| seemed far astern. to learn If any
officers were hidden away here. had
| examined. all the other stateroomS,
finding them empty, and at last
opened this door in my quest. Not
until | saw you did ! in the sightes'
realize that we were on board the
wrong vessel, nor that we We're en-
gagged in anything except an honorable
| adventure of war
That the hasty details of my story
both startled her and impressed her
with its truth. was evident enough, yet
her lips curled with contempt, and
her eyes remained unbelieving,
How many men accompanied YOU"
"A crew of 20. with two officers"
"Peruvians, | presume"
NO, madam" reluctantly, "hotch
potch dragged from the seven seas"
Her expressive face darkened her
fingers clenching again nervouSly
about the chairback.
And you really expect me to be-
lieve that preposterous tale," she
burst forth, Indignation shattering all
| ordinary bounds. of speech. You
must, indeed, think very highly OF my
intelligence. You-why. you are
sea-robber, a pirate"
My cheeks flushed at the harsh
words. | could feel the surge of blood.
yet met her gaze quietly.
Il have told you the exact truth
Lady Darlington, as | promised" | re-
| turned. seeking to speak calmly with
out any real hope that you would be
lieve. Yet | want you TO try. II Is
all bad enough as II stands, without
endeavoring TO make ii appear worse"
She leaned slightly forward, clearly
| innn sod To, - ,..g