The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-09-08

words. I could feel the surge Of blood,
yet met her gaze quietly.
Il have told you the exact truth,
Lady Darlington, as / promised" re-
turned, seeking to speak calmly. with
out any real hope that you would be-
lieve. Yet want you to try. II is
all bad enough as II stands, without
endeayoring to make It appear worse"
She leaned slightly forward, clearly
impressed to some extent by the gravt
ty of my manner.
"Then prove IT,"
"How?"
"By steaming directly back to Val
paraiso and delivering up this stolen
vessel 10 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 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 l
hold the remembrance Of that act in
your favor. Prove yourself worthy a
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.
so you-you lied, them" the cruel
words faltered from between her lips
almost unconsciously.
mo, l spoke the truth" I answered.
gripping myself sternly, but l ques.
tion my power"
Your power? Why, you just in
formed me you were in command"
l 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" said, soberly, yet
/ intend to try because, in truth, l
need your assistance as greatly as you
need mine. Twenty minutes ago,
Lady Darlington, it was true 1 be-
lieved myself to be in absolute COM
mand Of this vessel. Now l gravely
suspect whether 1 may not be a mere
puppet, helpless in the hands of 9TH
ers. AS I have already endeavored to
explain, it was comparatively easy for
me to mistake this yacht for the Es-
meralda. They are very much alike,
and l 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.
If so, then l am only one man pitted
against 20. What 1 may accomplish
l have at present no means of know
ing. l must see the others, endeavor
to discover their secret purpose, and
learn whether or not l possess any
real authority on board. Lady Darling
ton, do you at least comprehend what
l mean? Do l make it clear to you
that I am in a position scarcely less
perilous than your own?"
With lips parted and hands clenched
over her heaving breast she stood
silent, apparently deeply aroused by
my earnest appeal, yet totally unable
to repose full confidence in me. Yet
her very hesitancy was to me an en-
couragement.
You certainly have every reason to
doubt me at present, madam"
urged, with increased confidence, yet
1 mean to prove myself worthy your
trust by deeds rather than words.
Will you consent to do as l wish, at
least for the moment?'
She did not appear to know what
she had better do or say, her glance
wandering in uncertainty from my
face to the questioning eyes Of the
maid. The latter leaned forward with
some eagerness.
Surely 1t is best to say oui, mad
anne; re man has re look honorable"
her hands gesticulating despair. AN
on re Who'll ship zere was no one else
to help US"
"As you say, Celeste, there is no
choice;" and Lady Darlington's gray
eyes again sought mine reluctantly.
II sincerely desire to repose complete
confidence in you; to believe you
worthy. What is it you wish US
to do?"
Merely to remain where you are,
beyond the observation of others, until
| can ascertain the exact truth of our
situation. So soon as | learn this. l
shall return with the information. WiD
you accede to this?"
She lowered her head slightly, in
silent acquiescence, and, still facing
them both, backed out Of the room
and closed the door.
CTo BE CoNTINUBDl