Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-02-04
CHAPTER NII.-( Continued J

give it up. 1t is concealed in this ship,
VI you find it, you can have it. You
shall have no assistance from me in your
search
81 know exactly where it is" said
Smith slowly.
Impossible You cannot. cried Miss
Ellen.
1T is on your person.
"What :"
There" he pointed his finger straight
at her. when ! was talking about the
papers to Captain Eyers | saw You make
an involuntary movement towards the
waist of your dress"
II wish had been paralyzed before
at is still there, them
"Oh, why did | not destroy it|
"You see. was right. Please give me
The paper
Il will never give it up, Never :.
Miss Ellen, speaking seriously
Haven't You been speaking seriously
before? Do you call the brutal insults to
which | have been subjected, the attempt
to drag me out of the cabin
Miss Ellen" he protested, mot one
of those men would have laid a hand on
you. | was just about TO recall them
when you came forth"
"Oh," groaned the girl in agony, for
that there was truth in his quiet aSser-
ton she instnctiyely recognized, why
didn't waltz"
WHY. indeed? l wouldn't hurt hair
of your head y
What a cruel. ruthless jest you have
played upon me-
mo jest. | assure you. l had to get
you out. That was the only way
Now that | am out, your power
ceases"
Listen to me, Miss Ellen
"Nliss Jones, if you please
"Nons,nse I'll call you Ellen, darl-
Ing in another minute if you make
further objection. My professional future
depends upon my getting that paper.
Without it | can do nothing. With it |
can capture or destroy that privateer. As
you know. | am utterly without influence.
[ have no powerful friends. | must de-
pend entirely upon myself. With that
paper success is certain. Unless. in this
enterprise at the beginning of the war,
embrace the opportunity presented.
shall be a failure. Above all other men
I have cause TO love the United States
government. | was street waif What
| might have been had not been trained
and ar opportunity given me | sometimes
shudder to think upon. | have an oppor-
tunity here TO do my country consplc-
uous, a notable service; to repay in some
measure what she has done for me. | love
you with my whole heart and soul,
would do anything to spare you, but
must have that paper. And there is
something more. | said that in capturing
the ship that would not be all. | hoped
to capture-to win-you also
Never. never
Il shall | am an unknown sea lieu
tenant now among many thousands. as
insignificant as my name. | shall make
myself something with this opportunity.
In spite Of your anger, know-they say
woman always knows when man loves
her Why shouldn't a man know when
woman loves him?-I feel that you do
love me. When you have time to think
calmly over the situation you will see
that | am justified in my demand. and
YOU will love me the more for not giving
I'D to you now"
What do you mean to do!
She had grown very pale by this time
and her voice was quite low and trem-
bling.
"Don't ask me what | mean to do.
Please do not put it that way. Give me
the paper"
II will not Oh. that were man. "
Miss Ellen. you must '.
81 swear | will not" whispered the
girl desperately.
Then" said the young officer reluc-
tantlv. and he had now become almost
as pale as the girl herself, Il shall have
to take it"
what she said You wouldn't
"To serve my country, to destroy that
ship. and to win you, | would" He
stopped.
.'You are a gentleman" she urged pite-
ously
Miss Ellen, please give me that pa
per- be pleaded.
"No,"
She sbrank away from him with her
hands clasped upon her breast. Back
.he went till the bulkhead checked her re-
treat. and he followed her. He stepped
nearer her. hsitatd, TIM stoppd.
There is no other way" he whispered
at last. II must have it."
Perspiration stood upon his forehead.
He moistened his lips, moved closer to
her. and stretched out his hand.
Don't" she said imploringly, terri
fed. outraged, but resolute.
IF there were any women on the ship
besides your servant, | would have them
search you. As it is, it is better that |
rather than another
He was very close now. Ellen looked
wildly about her for a way of escape in
vain.
"The paper - said Smith sternly. y
must have that paper"
His hand touched her. He was in earn
est then.
wait ~ she cried, at last giving way
before his desperate determination.
She hastily tore open two or three but
tons of her waist with trembling fingers,
thrust her hand inside and drew forth the
piece of paper, which she crumpled in her
cienched fist She made a quick motion
as il To strike him with her hand or
throw the paper in his face, but he caught
her wrist in his iron grasp and drew out
the paper. 1t was the half chart that
he required. She stood before him abash-
cd, shamed, yet almost beautiful In her