The state herald., 1910-05-13

A<ouy D"ihh6ton, 10 ploiliioeu, ~
turned. seeking to speak calmly. with
out any real hope that you would be.
lieve. Yet l want you to try. 1t Is
| all bad enough as 1t 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 clasped 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
rescued me once from insult, and
hold the remembrance OF that act in
your favor. Prove yourself worthy n
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 TO me
that your words are not false
l hesitated, doubt and suspicion
rendering me totally incapable of clear
thinking before her insistent demand
Her face grew whittier as she marked
my silence.
$50 you-you lied, them" the cruel
words faltered from between her lips
almost unconsciously.
mo. | spoke the TRUTH" answered.
gripping myself sternly, but | ques-
ton my power"
Your power? Why. you Just in.
formed me you were in command"
| | advanced n step forward. my man
ner respectful enough, yet she half
shrank back from my approach and
brought the protection of tse chair be-
tween us.
"Pchnps l may never succeed In
making you clearly comprehend my
present position" said, soberly. yet
intend to try, because. In truth.
need your assistance as greatly as you
need mine. Twenty minutes ago.
Lady Darlington, 1t was true | be.
lieved myself to be in absolute com.
mand OF this vessel. Now l grayely
suspect whether may not be mere
puppet. helpless in the hands OF 9TH
ers. As have already endeavored to
explain. II was comparatively easy for
me to mistake this yacht for the Es-
meralda. They are very much alike.
and | had enjoyed no opportunity for
closely observing either. But IL is i'm
others Of my party could have limo
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 nm act OF piracy.
II so. then | am only one man pitted
against 20. What may accomplish
I have at present no means Of know.
Ing. ! must see the others. cndeayor
to discover their secret purpose, and
learn whether or not | possess any
real authority on board. Lady Darling.
ton. do you at least comprehend what
I mean? Do l make II clear to you
that | am In n position scarcely less
perilous than your own7"
With lips parted and hands clenchod
over her heaving breast she stood
silent, apparently deeply aroused by
my earnest appeal. yet totally unable
to repose full confidence In me. Yet
her very hesitancy was to me an on.
courngement.
You certainly have every reason to
doubt me at present. madam" |
urged. with increased confidence. yet
| mean to prove myself worthy your
trust by deeds rather than words.
VIII you consent to do as | wish. nj
least for the momcnt7"
She did not appear 10 know what
she had better do or say. her glance
wandering In uncertainty from my
face TO the questioning eyes OF the
maid. Tho latter leaned forward with
some eagerncss.
surely II Is best to say oui. mad.
amc; 20 man has &c look honorable"
her hands gostieulatlng despair. AN
on 10 Who'll ship zero was no one else
to help us
"AB you soy. Celeste. :hcrc Is no
choioc:" and Lady DarllnRtons gray
eyes again sought mine reluctantly.
u sincerely desire to ropUrc complete
confidence In you' to believe you
worthy. What In II you wish us
to dor
Merely 20 remain where you arc,
beyond the observation OF others. until
| can ascertain the oSnot truth OF our
situation. So soon m | learn this,
shall return with the information. WIN
you acccdc 10 thlH2"
She lowered her head slightly. In
silent acauiobconcc. and, htlll facing
them both. I backed out Of the room
aud closed the door.
tTo lie coNTiNuEDJ