The Washington herald., 1911-07-29
. 1as Purchase Price
By EMERSON HOUGH.
CHAPTER I(Continued).

! They knew you were dangerous. and
know it. I have no hope, should be-
come too much oppressed by lack OF
sleep. except to follow instructions. and
cast you overheard somewhere below
Kentucky
You ask me not to attempt any es-
cape?'.
yes
why. I would agree to as much as
| that. 1t Is, as you say. a matter of
Indifference to me whether I leave the
boat at Cairo or at some point farther
westward. OF course l would return to
Washington as soon as escaped from
bondage"
Excellent. madam! Now please add
that you will not attempt to communi-
cate with any person on the boat or on
shore
NO; that will not agree to as con-
dition."
Then still you leave It very hard for
me-
She only smiled at him again, her
slow, deliberate smile: yet there was in
IL no trace of hardnes or sarcasm. Keen
as her mind assuredly was, as she smiled
she seemed even younger. perhaps four
or five and twenty at most. With those
little dimples now ripping frankly into
view at the corners of her mouth, she
was almost girlish in her expression, al
though the dark eyes above, long-lashed.
eloquent, able to speak thousand
tongues into shame. showed better than
the small. curving lips the well-poised
woman of the world.
Capt. Edward Carlisle, soldier as he
was martinez as he was, felt a curious
sensation Of helplessness seize upon him
as he met her steady gaze, her alluring
smile; he could not tell what this pris-
oner might do. He cursed the fate
which had assigned such a duty, cursed
especially that fate which forced a gal
liant soldier to meet so superb woman
as this under handicap SO hard. For
almost the first time since they had met
they were upon the point of awkward
ness. Light speech failed them for the
moment, the gravity of the situation
began to come home to both Of them.
Indeed, who were they? What were
they to the public under whose notice
they might falI-indeed, must fall?
There was no concealing face and figure
Of a woman such as this; no; not In
any corner of the world, though she
were shrouded in an Oriental veil. Nay;
were she indeed tied in a sack and flung
into the sea, yet would she arise to make
trouble for mankind until her allotted
task should be complete. How could
they two answer any question which
might arise regarding their errand, or
regarding their relations as/they stood
here at the gateway of the remoter
country into which they were depart
ing. How far must their journey to-
gether continue? What would be said
regarding them?
Carlisle found 1t impossible to an
swer such questions. She herself only
made the situation the more difficult
with her high-headed defiance of him.
Hestating, the young officer turned
his gaze over the wide dock, now COW
cred with hurrying figures, with massed
traffic, with the confusion preceding
the departure of river boat. Teams
thundered, carts trundled here and there
shoutings of many minor captains arose
Those who were to take passage on the
packet hurried forward to the gang
way, so occupied in their own affairs
as to have small time to examine their
neighbors. The very confusion for the
time seemed to afford safety. Carlisle was
upon the point of drawing long breath ot
relief: but even as he turned TO ask his
companion to accompany him aboard
the boat he caught sight of an ap-
preaching figure which he seemed to rec
ognize. He would have turned away.
but the Eeen-witted woman at his side
followed his gaze and paused. There
approached these two now, hat in hand,
a gentleman who evidently intended to
claim acquaintance.
This newcomer was man who in any
company would have seemed striking.
In complexion fair. and with blue or
gray eyes, he was tall as any Viking,
as broad in the shoulder. He was
smooth faced. and his fresh skin and
well-deveioped figure bespoke the man
in good physical condition through ac-
tive exercise yet well content with ths
worlds apportionment. His limbs were
long, his hands bony and strong. His
air. Of self-confident assurance, seemed
that of a man well used to having his
own way. His forehead was high aui
somewhat rugged. Indeed, all his fea
lures were in large mold, like the man
himself, as though he had come from
a day when skin garments made the
proper garb of men. AS though TO keep
up this air of an older age. his long,
fair hair was cut almost square, low
down on the neck. as Though he were
some Frank fresh from the ancient for
ests. Over the forehead also this
square cut was affected, so that, as he
stood. large and confident, not quite
outre. scarce eccentric, certainly dis
tinguished in appearance, he had q
half-savage look, as though ignorant
or scornful of the tenderer ways Of
civilization. leader this man might
be, poor follower always.
Yet the first words he uttered showed
the voice and diction of a gentleman.
My dear captain" he began, extending
his hand as he approached. Il am in
deed charmedi What delight to see
you again in our part of the world,
must claim the pleasure of having met
you once-two years ago. in st. LoJfis
Are you again on your way to the from
tiers?'
The tone of inquiry in his voice was
just short of curious; indeed, might
have been called expectantS His gaze
admiring yet polite, had not wholly
lost opportunity to list the attractions
of this lady, whose name had not yet
been given him.
The gentleman accosted declined TO
be thus definite; adding only. after the
usual Fluctuations, Yes; We are going
down the river little way on the vor-
non here.'
For some 'distance?"
For quite a distance"
"At least. this is not your first journey
down our river?
IT wish II might be the last. The rail-
way Is opening up new world to us.
The stage coach Is a thing of the past.
II wish II might be. for mer' rejoined
the stranger. "Unfortunately. / am
obliged to go West from here over the
National Road. TO look at some lands I
own out In Indiana. ! very much re-
greet
CONTINUED ro-MoRRowJ
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