The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-01-13


hard. Cad. II WAS hard TO stand there
and hear those brutes planning 1t all
and not be able 10 stop them
The princess WAS once more at his
side. He had clasped her arm To lead
her securely in the wake of Neenah's
electric lantern. She came TO a sud
den stop.
And pray. MIR. Chase" she said
| sharply. as II the thought occurred to
her for the first time. why didn't you
stop themi You bad the advantage
You and Sellm could have surprised
them-yon could have taken them with
out struggle"
He laughed softly. deprecatingly, not
a little impressed by the justice of her
criticism
mo doubt you consider me a COW
ard" he said ruefully.
"You know that | do not" she pro
tested. IL can't understand your
motive: that is ALL"
"You forget that ! am the represent
alive of these very men. am the
trusted agent of Sir John Brodney,
who has refused to supplant me with
another. | can't very we'll represent
Sir John and at the same time make
prisoners or corpses Of his clients,
even though | am being shielded by
! their legal foes. I'll not have Won
| Blitz saying, even to himself. that
have not only stolen his wives. but
have also cast him into the hands of
his Phllistines. 1t may sound qulxotic
to you. but think that Lord Depping
ham and Mr.. Browne will understand
my attitude"
But Won Blitz has sworn to kill
you," she expostulated. with some heat.
You are wasting your integrity.
must say. Mr.. Chase"
would you have me shoot him from
ambush p be demanded.
mot at all. You could have taken
him captive and held him safe until
the time comes for you to leave the
island
HE would not have been my cap
tive In any event. could do no more
than deliver him into the hands of his
enemies. Would that be fairT'
But he Is q theft
mo mUre so than Taswel Skaggs
and John Wyckholme. who unquestion-
ably cheated the natives out of the
very treasure we have seen carried
away. am not constable nor
thief catcher. | am soldier OF the
defense. not an officer of the crown, at
this stage of the game. Today | shall
contrive to send word to Rasula that
Won Blitz has stolen the treasure
chests. Mr.. Won Blitz will have a sad
time explaining this little detection to
his friends. We must not overlook the
fact that Lady Deppingham and Rob
ert Browne are quite willing to take
everything from the islanders. Every.
thing that Taswell Skaggs and John
Wyckholme possessed In this island
belongs to them under the terms of the
will"
They were at the top Of the second
flight Of stairs by this time and quite
q distance from the treasure cha
His GOODNESS the absence Of any sign
of returning sentiment was puzzling
her sorely. Half an hour before she
had been carried away. rendered help
less. by the passion that swayed him
Now he spoke and looked as II he had
forgotten the result Of his storming.
Strangely enough. she was piqued.
When they came into the well light
ed upper corridor he proceeded ruth
lessly to upset all OF her harsh caicu.
lations. He stopped suddenly, step.
ping directly In front Of her. AS she
drew up in surprise he reached down
and took both Of her hands In bis
For the moment she was too amazed
to oppose this sudden action. She
looked up into his fnce. many emo
lions In her own-reproof, wonder. dis.
may. hauteur. Joy.
wait" he said gently. They were
quite alone She saw the most won
derful light In his gray eyes. Her lips
parted In quick. timorous confusion.
81 love you. am sorry for what
did down there. couldn't help 1T
nor could you. Yet took cruel ad-
vantage of you. | know what you've
been thinking too. You have been
saying to yourself that | wanted to
see how far could go. Don't speak.
know! You are wrong Eve absolute
ly worshiped you since those first days
In Thorberg. wildly. hopelessly. day
and night | was afraid OF you-yes
afraid Of you because you are prin
cess. But I've got over all that. &c
nevra. You are woman. n living
real woman. with the blood and the
heart and the lips that were made for
men to crave. want to tell you this
here in the light OF day. not In the
darkness that hid all the truth In me
except that which you might have felt
In my kiss"
"Please-pleased don't" she said once
more her lip trembling. her eyes full