Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-28


would dare, and you din!"
About to EeDly, she became once
more aware she was still very dizzy
from the fall on the sand; the shapely
figure swayed and she put out her
hand with a gesture Of helplessness.
At the same time, the man reached
forward quickly and caught her. A
moment was she conscious of q frm
grasp; dark, anxious gaze bent upon
her; then, slid gently back to the
stone seat.
A brief interval, and gradually she
began to see again more distinctly
a mans face, not far from hers; a face
that drew back as her own look
cleared. At a respectful distance he
now STOOD, his bearing at once erect
and buoyant, and more cur1ously she
regarded him. A distinct type, here
pride and intelligence stamped them
selves strongly on the dark, handsome
features; courage and daring were
written on the bold, self-reliant brow.
And with this realization Of something
distinctive, compelling, in his person
atty, came another.
'T have seen you-spoken with you
before! On the beach-the night OF
the dancei"
The young man turned. "Your
Ladyship so far honored meas to
dance with mel" he said, in his eyes a
touch Of that brightness that had
caused her to regard him imperiously,
as he had swung her to the measure
of the music, on the occasion in ques-
ton.
Started to-" She corrected him,
Strengthening suddenly at the recollec-
ton Of that evening, when humility
and modesty were virtues conspicu.
ously wanting in his demeanor.
Your Ladyship is right" he said
quietly. can alarm from the Mount
interrupted"
She glanced at. him quickly. His
eyes met hers with a look Of uncon-
Germ.
"Are you-a fsherman?" she asked
abruptly.
'On occasions"
"And when you are not one-what
are you then?"
"At times-a hunter"
"Ahl" Her eye fingered on some
thing bright on the ledge beneath the
window. and that is the reason you
have-pistols?"
Exactly. my Lady,"
She continued to regard the
weapons, of finest workmanship, in
laid with a metal that cleaned DULY,
like gold, in the light from the fire.
His glance followed hers; she was
about to speak, when quickly he inter.
rupted.
"Has your Ladyship thought how
she Is going to get back to the
Mount?"t.#
My lady's questioning, along. the line
Of personal inquiry, ceased; the Gov
errors daughter looked little blank
"No-that, is, haven't you q boat?"
mot here"
";Then you walked over?"
He neither affirmed, nor denied.
':And the tide will not be out for
hours."':. Her look showed consternaS
ton; she glanced toward the opening
in the wall. isn't it. becoming dark
now?" ..'I-
Eyes, my Lady"
t"Of course, it was almost shutdown
when But must return at once!.
Don't you. understands
He regarded her silently; the beau
tiful impatient eyes; the. slim, white
fingers that tapped restlessly, one
against another. II will do what l
can!" he said at last slowly.
But what?" she demanded. what
can you do?rs&&E,;i ., III i,i.l,,.
He did not answer; my; lady made a
gesture. "How ridiculous! "A prison
err on an island!"G; ~ ;i::g.
There may be g way" he began.
"My horse?" she said quickly. What
became of him?"i s:'
He was swept away blythe tide!
Into the proud eyes came a softer
light-of regret, pain. -
Your Ladyship should remember it
might have been, worse" beaded, in
tones intended to reassure her. After
all, 1t was only horse"
"Only: a horse!" she exclaimed In
dignantly. But, 1 suppose you can't
nderstand--caring for horse!"
ri can understand caring for a
ship!" he answered quickly, fash OF
amusement, hardly concealed, in his
bold, dark eyes.
"a ship!" scornfully; dead wood
and iron"
"Live wood and iron! Beautiful
as" The smile failed him; he
looked at my lady. Something to be
depended on, with hand, TO the
wheel, and an eye keen for mad dane
ings and curvetings."
81 might appreciate them better,
she interrupted dryly, with delicate
brows uplifted, IF they brought me
nearer to the Mount. That, and not
idle opinions" in accents that con
| yeved surnrise at the temerity of one