The Southern herald., 1912-07-05

lage, which was model of neatness, and on
up winding path for nearly mile, when a
sharp turn around flank Of the mountain
brought us to large bungalow-the palace OF
the queen.
While breakfast was being prepared she
made herself more beautiful by changing her
dress OF European style for a native costume
Of flowing silk 80 becoming that wondered at
her ever wearing anything else. After break
fast she looked down at the little town and far
out to sea in silence for long time and then
told me the story Of her life.
Her name, she said, was Katherine Crofton;
her father one Of the younger branches OF
family headed by baron. Her father was q
lieutent-commander In the British navy, and
to prevent an accident he disoboyed the order
OF an incompetent and arrogant superior ofhcer.
In a quarrel that followed, her father knocked
his superior down and otherwise abused him,
for which he was court-martialed and dis
missed.
my father was a high-splrited man." she
continued, and his disgrace embittered him
against England and everything English. He
soon left home, and when We next heard from
him he was in Hong Kong When was about
fifteen, he wrote mother and me to take P.
G O. ship for Singapore, where we would find
further instructions When we got there father
was waiting for us on a handsome yacht, the
Queen. am still using her. He brought US to
to this island, where he had established small
settlement and built a warehouse and a ma
chine shop for repairs. He had taken great
pains to make his rendezvous secure from dis
covery.
when / was not much older than nineteen
father and mother were taken desperately Ill,
H. "a inko nd mad a
confession. He said that in his hatred Of the
British he had turned pirate and had been for
all those years preying on ships flying the flag
he despised He had also, occasionally, waged
war on the native pirates and taken their loot
from them which explained why he had fire.
uuently come in with wounded men on board
and he made me swear that If he died would
continue the work he had begun. He told me
could rely on Frank Deverell, his chief officer
whom he said he hoped would some day mar
ry,"-this last with just a trace of sarcasm
my father died the next week and my mothe
three months later.
That was four years ago. l have kept thu
oath, but the fulfllment has brought me In
creasing misery. My attacks on the British
flag have been few-in fact, l have given timel!
assistance to many more English ships than
have robbed, and hundreds of their passenger
and crews owe their lives to me- but | hav
preyed on the natural pirates Of these water
as ardently, perhaps. as did my father"
After luncheon the queen and set off towar
the mountain-top, nearly one thousand fee
above us, but we did not reach 1t, for the hes
was intense.
We'll, what do you think of us now?" sh
asked, on our way down, after | had told he
how had spent the forenoon
II think enough of you to devote my whol
life to your service!" quickly replied
When came back to dinner she was waitin
for me In her bower. AS she came to meet nj
and extended her hand she said, earnestly an
almost sadly 81 believe you were honest an
sincere in what you said this afternoon, but
can only say Thank you What you suggest'
Is impossible"
In the three weeks that followed urged n
love upon her with all Of my determination b
she refused to change her decision and a
: parently was firm In 1t as she was at frf
: It was agreed that We should both give
piracy but all of our arguments ended the
until finally, one afternoon, as we sat lookil
out over the sea and talking Of the ordina
affairs of life, she said, slowly and emphat
ally, 'Deverel was my fathers right-hal
a man. am going to take the next ship I
] England, lay my case before the home secreta
Q and ask him for full pardon. will confess
I him that have taken from the pirates VIII
l. they had stolen from others. To Offset tn
4 offense have hundreds of written statemer
: from people whose lives have saved from t
t pirates. believe | can secure pardon, a
n II do / will meet you with clear conscien
4 and become your wifel"