Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1910-03-12


turned, seeking to speak calmly, with
out any real hope that you would be-
lieve. Yet / want you to try 1t 10
all bad enough as it stands, without
endeavoring to make it 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 1 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
woman's respect by making amends
| for this wrong. Take the Sea Queen
back now, before it 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"
| / 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, then!" the cruel
words faltered from between her lips
almost unconsciously.
mo, spoke the truth" I answered,
gripping myself sternly, "but l Ques-
ton my power"
Your power? Why, you just In
formed me you were in command"
advanced a step forward, my man
ner respectful enough, yet she half
shrank back from my approach and
brought the protection of the chair be-
tween us.
Perhaps I may never succeed In
making you clearly comprehend my
present position" l said, soberly, yet
I intend to try, because. in truth, l
need your assistance as greatly as you
need mine. Twenty minutes ago,
Lady Darlington, it was true l be-
lieved myself to be in absolute COM
mand of this vessel. Now l gravely
suspect whether l may not be mere
puppet, helpless in the hands OF 9TH
ers. AS l have already endeavored to
explain, it was comparatively easy for
me to mistake this yacht for the Is
meralda. They are very much alike,
and | had enjoyed no opportunity for
closely observing either. But it Is I'M
possible for me to conceive how the
: others of my party could have inno-
Gently made such an error. what
project they may have had In mind l
cannot even guess, but l believe now
: the Sea Queen was deliberately cap
tured, and that | have been decoyed
into the leadership of an act of piracy
IL so, then | am only one man pltted
2 against 90 What l may accomplish
/ | have at present no means OF know
r ing. | must see the others, endeavor
. to discover their secret purpose, and
, learn whether or not | possess any
[ real authority on board. Lady Darling
!, ton, do you at least comprehend Wha'
/ | mean? Do | make it clear to you
e that | am in a position scarcely less
}. perilous than your own"
e With lips parted and hands clenched
: over her heaving breast she stood
l. silent, apparently deeply aroused by
e my earnest appeal, yet totally unable
S to repose full confidence in me. Ye
| n
couragement.
II you certainly have every reason L
n doubt me at present, madam"
5 urged. with increased confidence, we
| mean to prove myself worthy you
II trust by deeds rather than words
Will you consent to do as l wish, a
u least for the moment?"
5, She did not appear to know VIVA
81 she had better do or say, her glanc'
,. wandering in uncertainty from m.
81 face to the questioning eyes of tn
e maid. The latter leaned forward witt
u some eagerness.
Ie Surely ii is best to say Oui, mad
anne: re man has re look honorable,
y her hands gesticulating despair. "Ar
II on re Who'll ship zere was no one els
:. to help u.s."
ID "As you say, Celeste, there Is n
choice;" and Lady parlington's gra
2 eyes again sought mine reluctant,
II sincerely desire to repose complet
confidence in you; to believe yo
h. worthy. What is it you wish
to do?"
err Merely to remain where you arr
ly beyond the observation of others, unit
/ can ascertain the exact truth of GU
&C. situation. So soon as l learn this,
he shall return with the information. WI
III you accede to this?"
ou She lowered her head slightly,
ny silent acquiescence, and, still facin
q them both, backed out of the rool
and closed the door.