Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-09-24

was not something Of hypnotist when
found that he was speaking in a soft, low,
almost ruminative voice.
II like you, Mr.. Selden, like you ex-
tremely, and SO l would not bring you
into any harm; and yet If you are my
friend l shall most likely do so, for thai
curse was laid upon me In the past. l
have had many friends and even more
enemies, and some of the friends have
turned enemies, but none of the enemies
friends. l tell you this so that you may
the better Judge, because you must be
one or the other. Nobody has ever been
Indifferent"
could not detect arrogance; simply
the statement of facts.
81 would rather be your FRIEND" an
swered.
He was silent again, gazing at and
through me with his dreamy, speculative
vision. l had the feeling that was in
measure spellbound-that l could not
start conversation for myself, could not
act without his volition.
"There are reasons" he continued in
time while L cannot tell you much II
l am not one of the worlds great men by
birth, l am by achievement. There was
a Corsican born in the last century whom
all the powers of Europe sought for years
to bind and silence; there are many men
there who would do the same for me.
Wherever Napoleon went he brought
strife; wherever l go strife follows" He
ceased looking through me, and gazed at
me. "You have your quiet beach, your
snug house, your summer with the fair
lady of this afternoon do you still wish
me to stay"
''The Ship is any ones property" l
said, 'and the shore Is free. II you want
more, you have only to ask for it at my
cottage"
What would the lady say?" he contin-
ued.
"The lady has nothing whatever to say
in the matter" l returned, annoyed at
his continual reference to Miss Graham.
Il am free to choose for myself"
Duponceau smiled "Mr. Selden, you
are young man of spirit, but you are
ignorant, very ignorant. 1t all depends
on the lady. You would not weigh me in
the balance for a moment II she willed
otherwise. No one is free; there Is al
ways some other power. Even the Corsi-
can could not withstand his star" The
smile faded, vanished; Duponcean's eyes
were stern and fixed.
81 have been called pirate, a robber,
a modern Juggernaut, but it was only be-
cause I had my vision, and could see far
ther than others could"
He was leagues away, his thoughts
fighting l watched him until his mind
came back.
"Now," he said, 1--WE will fight 1t out.
l take you at your word-the Ship is
mine, the shore any ones property"
Suddenly he rose and stood peering up
the beach. Some one is coming" he
said, and 1 saw that his hands felt for
the pistols on the table.
1 looked, and saw Charles swinging a
lantern. 1T is only my servant" l an,
swered
"Can he be trusted?"
Implicitly"
''Tell him who l am"
We waited until Charles came on
board. He showed no surprise at seeing
the two Of us.
81 came for the dinner things, Mr.. Fe-
lix," he stated, looking at me and ignor-
ing Duponceau.
Charles" l said, this is Monsieur
Duponceau, who has lately come to stay
In this Ship. You are not to mention his
presence here to any one, but will do
whatever he asks. You need not take the
things away; they way be Of use to him
in the cabin. Monsieur Duponceau, you
may rely on Charles as on yourself"
Charles bowed to the man in black, a
fine figure, gazing steadily at my man.
could not help noting the picture that
he made, his hand still on the pistols, his
soft black hat low upon his forehead, his
cloak flung across his shoulder.
Charles turned to go. HAS there been
any message for me?" l asked as an af-
terthought.
"No, Mr.. Felix" Charles hesitated !;
but / found man prowling about the
back road after supper, and, though I'd
never seen him before, couldn't learn
his business. He looked like sly one,
SIR"
l turned to Duponceau; he was smil-
ing.
"You see, Mr.. Seldom, how quickly my
words find proof. Where / come strife
follows"
(Tn he