Mexico Missouri message., 1910-09-01
CHAPTER xvI.-(cOntinued.)

CHAPTER XVI.-(continued.)
II appeal to you" said the woman,
turning to Langford, send back the
men. A moment since 1 saved your
life. At word from me he would have
thrown you from him and broken your
back. Be generous. You must. And
this man shall give me a hearing.
You are safe from him, promise
you"
What might have been the result of
this appeal can never be determined,
for at that moment new factor en-
tered upon the scene, factor whose
presence was as surprising and unex-
pected as It was determinative. From
out to sea, yet near at hand, came a
mufled defamation, the roar Of
heavy gun. Around one of the head
lands that rose on that side of the is
land there swept the white sides of
another great ship beside which the
yacht, imposing though she was, was
a toy. 1t was the woman who saw 1t
first
Look" she cried. "a ship of war,
a cruiser. See, from her staff the flag
of the United States. This land is
American. l claim 1t by right of dis
covery. Lay but a hand upon this
man, and 1 will have you hanged for
murder, Langford. They see us there.
Their glasses have searched the shore.
They have seen this encounter. That
gun was a warning. A boat puts off.
Thank God, we are saved from you'll"
Things had transpired even as she
said. What the cruiser was doing in
those seas, how happened she to be
there were things as yet unknown,
but that she was there was apparent
She had approached the island from
the other side, and had sailed around
It. Her men had observed the encoun-
ter on the shore, which seemed to
be between natives and persons from
the yacht, which was in plain view a
little farther out to sea, and the gun
had been fired to call attention to the
power of the United States.
This put an entirely new face on
the whole affair. Matters were taken
out of the hands of the parties to the
quarrel. The law had come to the is
land. The islander did not, could not
know It, but his baffled antagonist
realized 1t Immediately. So did the
woman. At Langford's command, his
men, much bewildered at the scene
they had witnessed, went back to
their boat. He himself presently fol-
lowed after, and stood upon the
strand awaiting the approach of the
heavy man-of-war cutter which had
been put away from the white cruis-
er's side.
Man" she said, softly, this is
what had to tell you"
He nodded. A hollow groan burst
from his lips.
'His MISTRESS" he muttered, bro
kenly.
81 would not have had you learn
IN this way, and now that you have
heard so much, you must hear more, y
she went on, not sparing herself,
though she might have justly resent
ed the word. She was dealing with
more serious things than words now,
bitter though they might be. THAT
ship which Is the ship Of our country,
stands for law as his for license.
was more sinned against than sin,
ming. When you have heard all, then
you shall Judge. This is the test"
Would God that it had never been
laid upon me-" said the man, hoarse-
Iy. Would God that the beacon had
not been lighted on the hill"
May" returned the woman, gently
"that's past praying for. Decision
rests with you, but you must not pass
It until you have heard the whole
story. The world holds me stained
polluted, It may be said, but
am not the sinner that 1t thinks me oil
he portrays."
"You said It was true" doggedly
cried the man.
Eyes, but not all true"
"And / had him IN my hands, ant
still he lives"
won't you hear me?" pleaded the
woman.
The man shook her on and turned
away. The very innocence which haC
prevented hts understanding at flrst
the charge made It the more hideouS
when comprehension came. He haC
loved this woman with love tina
passed the love Of man, Tor there hat