Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-28

wnere should be now but tor YOU
Twas nothing at all But yell
pardon me for suggesting that ye
have made mistake, madam.
"A mistaken" she echoed; and then,
thoughtfully: No, | shouldn't call it
that
Letting him go. mean. Neither
of us, I believe. could we'll identity
him. When We report this outrage to
the captain. whom will ye accuse?"
Il shall accuse no one she said
quietly. for l shan't report The af
fair.
I'VE will not" he cried, astounded.
indeed. | am quite sincere: shall
dc nothing whatever about 1t. 1t is,
moreover, e favor which ! shall ask
OF you. to suy nothing of the matter
TO anyone"
O'Rourke hesitated, unwilling to be-
lieve that he had heard Alright.
Believe me-" she was saying earn
estly. Il have good reason for max
ing request SO unaccountable to
ycu."
but but-Mrs. Prynne-!"
oh. you know lie them" she inter.
rupted Sharply. And her look was
curious ana intent.
"I-'tis-saith:" O'Rourke stammer-
ed He felt his face burn. ME valet
told me-" he confessed miserab!y.
Its a bit of Irritation he's been hay-
ing with YOUR maid, Cecile, | believe,
madam"
An, yes She seemed unaccount-
ably relieved. You, then, are Colonel
ORourke?'
He bowed. Terence O'Rourke,
madam ard al your service, believe
me"
Il am very glad she said slowly.
cycling him deliberately. that. since
| had 10 be aided. it came through one
of whom have heard so much
Faith. Mrs. Prynue-!'
And ! thank you q second time,
very heartily!" She offered him her
hand. and smiled bewitchingly.
IT'S embarrassing me We are" he
protested Faith. 10 be thanked
twice for SO slight service. can
only wish thar might do more"
1T is possible" she said. apparent
ly NOT in the least displeased by his
presumption 1T is possible that
may, take you at your word. Colonel
O'Rourke.'
In her eyes, intent upon his, he
fancied that he recognized an amused
flicker, with. perhaps. a trace OF deep
er emotion: the kindiing interest Of
woman in d strong man. with whose
signals he was not unfamiliar. Pride
and his conceit stirred in his breast.
"'Twould be the delight OF me life,
he told her in an ecstasy.
Don't be too sure. ! warn you
colonel" Her manner was now arch
! her smile entirely charming. TT nigh
be no light service I should require Of
YOU"
"Ye couldn't ask one too heavy.
But It's weary ye are. Mrs
prynne?" he inquired, solicitous.
Very" There was in fact an in
definite mobilization Of WEAKNESS II
her voice. I'm only woman" she
said family. with little gesture o.
depreciation; land my ways are hedgec
about with grave perils-
Ills the O'Rourke would gladly
brave them all for ye madam" he de
clareG CALAMITY. Command me-
what ye will"
She lifted her gaze TO his. coloring
dirinely there in the moon-glamor. He
looked into her curiously bewitchine
eyes and saw there an appeal and q
strange little tnudcr smile. Her head
was so near his shoulder that he wa:
aware Of the vague. alluring perfume
OF her hair. Her scarlet lips parted
And he became suddenly aware
thai il behooved him to hold himself
we'll in hand. Il were an easy mat
ter to imagine himself swept off bis
feet into a whirl OF infatuation. witt
a little encouragement. And he was
not unsophisticated enough to fail tc
see that encouragement would not be
lacking ii be chose to recognize 1t.
Faith he told himself, I'm think
ing 'iwoud be wiser for me TO take
to me heels and run before
He was spared the ignominious ne
cessiiy Of hight in two breaths they
showed two very different pictures
Now they stood alone on the dead
white deck. alone with the night, the
sea, the stars. the silence and the
moonlight: O'Rourke bit dismayed
and wary, >but az curious as any man
In such case: the woman apparent
II yielding 10 sudden fascination for
him. swaying little toward him as
If inviting the refuge OF his arms.
. And now she started away
clutrhiDg at her heart. with a little
choking cry of alarm; while beneath
them the vessel was still quiyerine
with a harsh yet deadened defamation
like an explosion, together with a
oil 90 Two