The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-02-09

words st-Ove 10 overcome the blunt
L, SIS of my speech.
Il do not feel, senior. that there
can be any necessity for discussing
lay private affairs with you 1T Present.
, Enough that | am Lady Darlington.
and that | have patiently answered. the
rather imrudent questions you have
| seen fit TO ask. Now, Senior Estevan.
! kindly cnliehten me as TO the cause
OF your intrusion into this apartment.
and your presence on board the
yacht"
Her tone had changed TO imperious-
ness. This was plainly command.
and. back Of the fair face fronting
HE. | read strength Of character and
proud insiStence long accustomed TO
control. 1t was not fear but disdain
that dark"ned her gray eyes. Her
manner begged nOthing-it pictured
oCminant command. the attitude of
enc who addresses a servant, expect
ing implicit obedience.
Lady Darlington" I began, stand
ing directly before her. and reverting
10 the use of English. so as to be
certain of making my meaning suff;-
GENTLY clear. whatever explanation l
may make cannot be pleasant. but it
shall be truthful. 1t is far better that
you comprehend fully the situation We
are in-your own peril. as well as nv
responsibility"
Her expression changed from alb
bitrary defiance to an amazement not
untinged by sudden development of
fear as her hands grasped the chair
back convulsively: but l went on
steadily TO the end.
Il am not, as you naturally sup
posed. Chilean. but a native of North
America. My name is Stephens. j
was in Valparaiso under most un.
pleasant circumstances. seeking vainlv
TO escape from the country. and
bounded b. the secret police because
of my connection lately with a revo-
lutionary movement along the Bolivian
frontier. The merits of that affair
need not now be discussed, but l had
become involved in it through certain
business connections. and had at
tanned Valparaiso after much hard
ship. seeking escape by sea. There
discovered every avenue closed
against me. and was reduced to a des-
perate plight. I was in hiding from
the governmental authorities when !
risked almost certain diScovery-lasi
evening. A little later-after you left
The hotel-a man who was led to be-
liove represented the Peruvian gov
eminent, approached ME with q
strange proposition, which, however.
promised immediate release from my
dangerous predicament. and, likewise.
a suitable reward for the successful
performance Of a certain service. /
am a sailor. and the particular duty
required of me was to be performed
upon the sea. l was asked to assume
the position of Peruvian naval cap
tain. incapacitated by sudden illness.
in the surprise and capture of Chill
can war vessel, the steam yacht Es-
meralda. then supposed TO be lying at
anchor. poorly guarded. in the outer
harbor OF the government docks. For
that purpose I was presented with q
| Peruvian naval commission"
My glance wandered from the mo-
tionless woman fronting me in such
white silence to Celeste, who had sunk
back upon the bed, her blue eyes
staring at me across the brass rail, ev-
identity experiencing difficulty in trans
lating my rapid English speech.
Il had enjoyed but little opportunity
Of examining the particular vessel we
We're thus employed to capture. as
dared not leave the hotel except after
nightfall." 1 continued, more slowly
Yet l knew her place Of anchorage,
and that she was a steam yacht OF
some 700 tons burden, schooner-rigged,