Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-18
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Copyright 1911, The BoSbs.Merrill Company

plCO W doh. .
"Well, suppose it's just this, sir:
If you wished me to know you would
tell me-"
John Mort unused as though, indeed,
he were very near to making con.
fidant Of his companion. The spell of
the moon, the beauty and stiffness OF
the tropic night, the faint, mellow
throb of the wooden drum timing
barbaric chant far across the water
all were conducive to an access OF
friendship, of affection and trust, that
might sweep away the last barriers
Of reserve. He struck match on the
corsair's cannon, lit cigarette, and
with an appearance of some indeci-
sion took a few whiffs before he
spoke.
at is enough for you to know that
I am ghost" he said oddly. Mort
means dead, and the fancy pleased me
to take it for my name. Before died
| was person of some Importance;
of sufficient Importance, in fact-were
my existence here ever to be known
for the news of it to shake the world.
Broughton, ask no promises, no
oaths; simply tell you that my life,
my happiness, all that Is dearest and
most precious to ne--hang on your
discretion. Vaster issues are at stake
, than you can dream of, and today there
are hundreds on my track. A chance
remark Of yours, an unguarded word,
the most innocent of confldences-and
these bloodhounds might seize a clue
that would destroy me. Broughton, I
rely on you to guard my secret"
II shall guard it, sir"
''And you appreciate, even In this
hatfield way, it's supreme, its vital i'm
portance?"
IT do, sir" .~
"Then, let us go back
In silence they walked up the path
to the broad veranda of the house
the house that had taken three years
to build whose massive walls were
timbered with whole trees--a low, red
tiled Spanish structure, in appear
ance half fort and half monastery, with
clustered court where fountain
playedIt had taken the North Star
dozen voyages to furnish it with
splendor almost incredible, consider
ing the remoteness of the island and
how recently its only inhabitants had
been craNs and setmews. Noble pic
lures, ve.letian carvings and old bro
cades, Flemish tapestry, exquisite
furniture still showing the faded gild
of medieval Italy-nothing, so it
seemed to Matt, could vie In taste and
luxury, in grandeur delicately mod
ernized, softened and restrained-with
| this coral palace that sheltered Mort
| in exile.
But of all the beautiful objects with.
-, l1s
it's mistress, that radiant, girlish Mir.
ovna, who shared John Morris for.
tunes, and engrossed his entire heart.
AS fair as he was dark, with crisp
golden hair more red than yellow, with
captivating blue eyes, and mouth all
wantonness and dainty impudence, she
could hardly have been more than
twenty when Matt first remembered
her in Guadalcanaar. Who she was or
what she had been, actress, dancer or
exalted lady, Pole, Russian, Albanian
or Magyar-all was a mystery she
shared with her somber husband. Matt
knew nothing save that she was one
of the most adorable Of women. Her
caressing and pretty friendship meant
much to him, and he repaid it with the
profound regard Of man that had no
other woman in his life. Had the need
arisen he could have died in her de-
tense, without the slightest thought OF
/ heroism or sacrifice, as men still can
do on the frontiers of civilization. In
point of fact, however. his zeal had
been more actively engaged in match
! ing ribbons. buying lingerie, choosing
Paquin gowns, and using his own judg'
ment in regard to French bonnets In
Sydney-not always with the success
his anxious efforts deserved.
ooh, you poor, darling. silly cap
itan!" Mirovna would only too often
exclaim in her bubbling broken Eng
1ish. What you get that for? A
monkey? think you want play
organ while l dance up and down with
tin cup!'
But all that was over now, to melt
for ever in the swirl of receding years.
He was probably seeing that familiar
room for the last time, and those
dearer faces of his friends. MATHS
heart was very full. and he faltered
under Mirovna's questioning gaze.
| 81 can not persuade him." said Mort
with affected lightness, stopping to kiss
his wife's hand, "the captain abandons
u.s."
There was no reproach in Mirovna's
face, rather concern and regret.
eve have been fortunate to keep him
SO long" she said, enveloping Matt in
a look Of tender scrutiny. "And, oh
for six years, always so good, so loyal
so true-hearted gentleman-surely
never was another like our captain"
Matt ought to have replied, but he
could find no words.
1.-THE world calls him. murmured
John Mort "A desert isle and pair
Of hermits-after all, who can blame
him.
en- not the world" protested Mir
ovna quickly. "It is love-a woman
every man must have that. But he
will find her, and win her, and bring
her back to us-and oh, so happy we
shall be, and shall be sister to her
and the captain must get her just the
same size like me, so she can wear
my stockings, and everything l have
HE know all my size, that dear cap
ton Hike faithful lover or French maid