Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-17
CHAPTER VIII.-Continued.

"A Ieepie nelper, she reJoineo, snlilnS
in turn.
I'VE shall see
And will you forgive me for having
misjudged you?" she asked. pleadingly.
Gladly
My hand on 1t. them she said. hold
ing out her little palm. which / swal-
lowed up in my large one on the instant.
standing silent as usual. holding 1t the
while.
And are you not sorry that you-you
kissed me-" she faltered at last.
NO" 1 answered. bluntly enough-be-
ing plain man 1 have always felt COM
PEELED to tell the truth-eXcept, perhaps,
when her interests were at stake-"1 am
not sorry,'' but as she swiftly tried to
draw her hand away. 1 added, Il prom
Use you 1 won't do it again. and you Will
forgive me, l know. Meanwhile. We have
much to plan. we may be interrupted any
time and we had best get at it,
I released her hand and she faced me
calmly enough.
You don't know how much safer /!
feel when I have you to depend upon,
she said.
and l saw that she had, indeed, forgiven
me.
"I shall leave everything to you. Mas
ter Hampton" she continued: do You
tell me what to do and 1 will do it,
Il know you will. l could not ask a
Drawer. better second" L answered,
heartily.
At that moment / heard a step on the
ladder. Somebody was coming. quick
as flash L realized the part We had TO
play in public l balled my fist and
struck the bulkhead savagely. suppose
1 must have changed my expression as
well. for, in her surprise, she screamed
family.
That's it, whispered. scream again.
louder, louder.
What do you mean?' she asked. in
incomprehending amazement, in this cri-
sis my wits working quicker than hers.
There is somebody outside. We have
a part to play. l am abusing you, ana
you are fighting for your life and honor.
I whispered, swiftly. then louder, fairly
shouting at her, indeed, / cried, DoWn
on your knees, wench. You Will mno
that you have met your master now
l made some sound of scuff1e and she
did, indeed. scream loudly. In the midst
of the commotion the door was tried.
but fortunately / had turned the key.
who's there?" 1 shouted. and to my
lady whispered, beg for help loudly.
and smiling at me, since there was none
but I to see albeit she infused strange
terror in her voice SO that / was amazed
myself. she cried at the top OF her voice:
Help. Help!
/, in turn, called louder yet.
NSiIence woman" and struck the bulk
head again.
Finally, turning to the door. I opened
it a bit and there stood one OF the
younger seamen.
and stormily. II don't care to be dis
turbed just now
well, from the sound Of your love
maxim" answered the sailor, insolently.
II shouldn't Judge that you was getting
any for'ader
And here my little mistress showed her
cleverness. She had pulled her hair
around her face and somewhat disar-
ranged her dress. She sprang to the
door. and. striving to pass my out
seamans assistance from this brute, y
meaning myself! 1t was we'll done and
deceived the man completely
81 can't help you," he said. I'D like
to, mistress. but yon mans bought you
with his share Of the treasure and bar
gains a bargain. We must cen stick TO
it. though. as / live. I think you worth
it," he leered out at her.
You see," said l, speaking harshly to
her and thrusting her with seeming vio-
into your corner. curse you!" And then
to the man I said. Now. what's the mat
ter and what's wanted?'
You are wanted on deck. 1t is just
dawn Land has been sighted and there s
a heavy sea runnin'. Pimball an Glibby
want your counsel and advice what's to
be done
Good" said I, 81 will be with you In
a moment. Tell them have yet a word
or two to say to this woman here
The man turned on his heel passed
through the cabin and climbed the ladder
to the deck.
Now" / said, quickly thrusting one Of
my pistols into my little mistress hand
I'VE can talk no longer this time. L am
going to do my best for you and il fail
here is a weapon. You know what to do
with it?'
shall 1 use it on them?"
mo, lass" 1 answered, grimly. ION
yourself if it comes to the worst
II understand" she said, paling a little.
Lock the door when / go out and on
no account open to any voice but mine"
81 shall remember
"And keep up the acting" 1 said;
'whimper and cover away whenever We
are seen together"
II shall not forget she said, standing
very straight, looking at me bravely, her
eyes shining.
"And now. goodbye
I turned away. but she caught me by
the shoulder. She extended her hand
rather high. I was not too dumb not to
understand what she wanted, and so 1
kiss of gallantry, but 1 pressed my lips
passionately against the little hand.
MAY God keep you, she said. as /
turned away, breathing the Amen 1
dare not speak.
1 heard the key turn in the lock be-
hind me, and with q heart full of mis-
givings, in spite OF my stern and resolute