Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-03

N~ D..
Her expression changed from alb
Ditrary defiance to an amazement not
untinged by sudden development of
fear as her hands grasped the chair.
back convulsively; but / went ON
steadily to tho end.
Il am not, as you naturally SID.
posed, Chilean, but native of North
America. My name is Stephens.
was IN Valparaiso under most un-
pleasant circumstances, seeking vainly
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 l 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 to des.
perate plight. was in hiding from
the governmental authorities when
r1sked almost certain discovery-last
evening. A little later-after you left
the hotei-a man who was led to be-
heve represented the Peruvian gov.
eminent, approached me with
strange proposition, which, however.
promised immediate release from my
dangerous predicament, and, likewise
a suitable reward for the successful
performance OF a certain service. I
am sailor, and the particular dutv
required of me was to be performed
upon the sea. was asked to assume
the position Of a Peruvian naval can.
tain. incapacitated by sudden illness.
m the surprise and capture of Chill
can war vessel, the steam yacht Els
meralda, then supposed to be lying al
anchor. poorly guarded, in the outel
harbor OF the government docks. Fo,
that purpose l was presented with
Peruvian naval commission"
My glance wandered from the mo
tionless woman fronting me in such
white silence to Celeste, who had sunA
back upon the bed, her blue eyer,
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
were thus employed to capture, as
dared not leave the hotel except after
nightfall," l continued, more slowly
Yet l knew her place of anchorage
and that she was steam yacht OF
some 700 tons burden, schooner-rigged
with lines promising great speed. 9th.
erwise l relied entirely upon the
knowledge of the officers under me
We boarded what l 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 gun at 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 ]
came below just now, after all danger
seemed far astern, to learn II 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 l in the slightest
realize that we were on board the
wrong vessel, nor that we were 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 your"
"A crew Of 20, with two officers"
"Peruvians, l presumed"
mo. 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 shatteripg all
ordinary bounds Of speech. You
must, indeed, think very highly of my
intelligence. You-why, you are a
sea-robber, pirate!"
Ny cheeks flushed at the harsh
words. i 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-
heye. Yet want you to try. It is
all bad enough as it stands. without
endeavoring to make 1t appear worse"
She leaned slightly forward. clearly
impressed to some extent by the gravi-
ty Of my manner.
Then prove it."
"How?"
by steaming directly back to Val
paraiso and delivering up this stolen
vessel to its lawful owners"
That sounds simple enough, but
do you realize what our probable fate
would be-"
She claspsd her hands tightly, press
Ing them against her breast.
What do care!" the contempt in
her voice grown bitter. you have
done the evil. by your own confession;
now you should pay the price. You
Ye1cued mo nnno froyw insult apA