The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-03-12

hold the remembrance OF that act In
your favor. Prove yourself worthy a
woman's respect by making amends
for this wrong. Take the Sea Queen
back now, before 1t Is forever too late.
and all can do, or that my husband
can accomplish. shall be done to save
you from punishment. Prove 10 me
that your words are not false"
! hesitatcd, doubt and suspicion
rendering me totally incapable OF clear
thinking before her lnslstent demand.
Her face grew whittier as she marked
my silence.
80 you-you lied, them" the cruel
words faltered from between her lips
almost unconscously.
mo. | spoke the truth" answered.
gripping myself sternly, but l ques.
tion my power.", -.
Your power? Why, you Just In.
formed mo you were in command"
! advanced step forward, my man.
ner respectful enough. yet she half
shrank buck from my approach and
brought the protection OF the chair be.
tween us.
Perhaps I may never succeed In
making you clearly comprehend my
present position" l said, soberly, yet
/ intend 10 try. because. In truth, !
need your assistance as greatly us yo'l
need mine. Twenty minutes ago.
Lady Darlington, It was true | be-
lieved myself to be In absolute com
mand Of this vessel. Now l gravely
suspect whether / may not be mere
puppet, helpless In the hands OF 9th.
ers, As ] have already endeavored to
explain, It was comparatively easy for
me to mistake this yacht for the Is.
meralda. They are very much alike,
and ] had enjoyed no opportunity for
closely observing either. But II is I'm.
possible for me to conceive how the
others Of my party could have jnno'
Gently made such an error. What
project they may have had In mind |
cannot even guess, but believe now
the Sea Queen was deliberately cap.
tured. and that have been decoyed
into the leadership Of an act OF piracy.
II SO, then | am only one man pitted
against 20. What may accomplish
| have at present no means OF know
Ing. must sec the others, endeavor
to discover their secret purpose, and
learn whether or not possess ahy
real authority on board. Lady Darling
ton, do you ut least comprehend what
| mean? Do make 1t clear TO you
tina, ] am In position scarcely less
perilous than your own?"
With lips parted and hands clcnched
over her heavIns breast she stood
silent, apparently deeply aroused By
my earnest. appeal, yet totally unable
TO repose full confidence In me. Yet
her very hesltalcy was to ME an en-.
enlargement.
you certainly have every reason to
doubt me Mt present, madam" |
urged, with increased confidence, yet
1 mean to prove myself worthy your
trust by deeds rather than words.
VIII you consent to do Us wish, at
least for the. moment?' n
She did not appear to know what
she had better do or say, her glance
wandering In uncertainty from my
face 10 the questioning eyes OF the
maid. The latter leaned forward with
some eagerness. ~ S;s.&y
Surely 1t is best to say. oui. mad.
anne; re man has 20 look honorable
her. hands gesticulating despair. IAN
on re Who'll ship zere was no one else
to help ius.' 8 ~ i. Si'. II.
5E;G"As you say, Celeste. there Is no
.choice;"4and Lady DarlIngton'si gray,
eyes again sought, mine reluctantly.
Il sincerely desire to repose complete
confidence In YOU; to helleyelyou
worthy. What Is 1t you wish us
to do?", y W
Merely 10 remain where you arc,
beyond the observation Of others, until
| can ascertain the exact truth oftour
n .