Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1910-01-08

was not something of q hypnotist when =
found that he was speaking In a soft. low.
almost ruminative voice.
II like you, Mr.. Selden, l like 70. er.
tremely, and SO l would not bring Won
into any harm; and yet II you are INV
friend l shall most likely do so. for thai
curse was laid upon me in the paxt.
have had many friends and even more
enemies. and some of the friends have
turned enemies, but none of the enemies
friends. l tell you this so that Won NAV
the better Judge, because you must he
one or the other. Nobody has ever been
Indifferent"
/ could not detect arrogance; simply
the statement Of facts.
II would rather be your friend" I an
swered.
He was silent again, gazing at and
through me with his dreamy. speculatIv.
vision. | had the feeling that | was In
measure spellbound-that | could NOT
start a conversation for myself, could not
act without his volition.
There are reasons" he continued in
time, while cannot tell you much. IL
| am not one of the worlds great men by
birth, | am by achievement. There was
Corslcan born In the last century whom
all the powers Of Europe sought for years
to bind and silence: there are many men
there who would do the same for me.
Wherever Napoleon went he brought
strife; wherever | go strife follows" He
ceased looking through me, and gazed at
me. You have your quiet beach. your
snug house, your summer with the fair
lady of this afternoon do you still wish
me to stay2"
The Ship Is any ones property" |
said, ''and the shore is free. II you want
more. you have only to ask for 1t at my
cottage"
What would the lady say?" he contin-
ued
THE lady has nothing whatever to say
in the matter" l returned, annoyed at
his continual reference to Miss Graham.
Il am free to choose for myself"
Duponceau smiled. "Mr. Selden. you
are young man of spirit, but you are
ignorant. very ignorant 1t all depends
on the lady. You would not weigh me In
the balance for a moment II she willed
otherwise. No one Is free; there is al
ways some other power. Even the Corsi-
can could not withstand his star" The
smile faded. vanished: Duponcean's eyes
were stern and fixed
Il have been called pirate, a robber,
modern Juggenaut. bat it was only be-
cause ] had my vision. and could see far
Their than others could"
He was leagues away. his thoughts
fighting. | watched him until his mind
came back
Now" be said. I'VE will fight II out.
take you az your word-the Ship is
a., II,
Suddenly be rose and stood peering up
the beach. Some one is coming" he
said and ! saw that his hands felt for
the pistols on the table.
j looked, and saw Charles swinging a
lantern. 1T Is only my servant" ! an
swered
Can he be trustedf"
implicitly"
Tell him who ] am"
We waited until Charles came on
board. He showed no surprise at seeing
the two Of u.s.
Il came for the dinner things, Mr.. Fs-
iix." he stated, looking al NE and ignor-
ing Duponceau.
Charles J said, this II Monsieur
DupOnceau, who has lately come 10 stay
10 this Ship. You are not to mention bis
presence here 10 any one bur will do
whatever be asks. You need not take the
things away; they way be Of use 10 him
In the cabin. Monsieur Duponceau, you
may rely on Charles as on yourself"
Charles bowed 10 the man ID black, a
fine figure, gazing steadily a. my man. j
could NOT help noting the picture that
he made, bis hand still on the pistols, his
soft black bar low upon bis forehead his
cloak flung across be shoulder.
Charles turned 70 10. Has there been
any message for mer J asked az az AZ
teuh0ugbt
mo, M. FeliE" Charles hssitaied
hut ! found . man proving about tbs
back foad after supper, and, though I'D
never seen him before, ] couldn't lsarn
biz business. Ne looked like = sly ons,
sir"
fpfnso % Duponoeepi bs Nas snil-
lng.
you sse Air. seldon, hog quickly ~
words hne proof hhege ! CONS sirlfs
follows"
90 ~ conflpued.)