Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-20
Cynthia-of- the-Minute
Copyright 1871 By Louis Joseph Vance

sheer errronterys and guide supported
by consciousness of ascendency.
You viii be seated?
No. she said briefly.
Perez contrived to elevate his hands
his shoulders. and his brows at one
/ and the same time.
Cynthia ignored the imputation. "You
said you could make me understand"
she told him. II am ready to listen
Well am sorry you feel
tility, senorita,"
"Yes-g'
1T is painful e.. one had hoped
"rm waiting Mr.. Perez. You are to
explain why you feel junstified in leav-
'Sing a wounded man to live or die, as
his wound permits. upon an uninhabita-
BILE island"
1T is too true; such is the unfortu-
nate aspect Of affairs" Perez discard
cd the resources of diplomacy rendered
Intellectual by Cynthia's attitude. and
} reluctantly resigned himself to an APP
pearance Of sympathetic candor. such
indeed is the pass TO which we are
brought. ! dare not bring Mr.. Critten
den back to the ship-so great is the
luminosity OF the men; and there is no
surgeon TO send him, on either vessel
Such are the ciTcums tances-without
alternative. If he returns he will al
most certainly meet with an accidenS
If he stays upon the island he may re-
loover Yeti would be a friend neither
TO him nor 10 you did I disguise the
fact that his injury is most serious.
Mr.. Rhode said-it' was trifling,
ICynthia contended, with something cold
lclosing round her heart
That is like HIM" Perez agreed, IN
ldrIgent. HE is crude. Rhode-yes, per-
haps a trifle-yet kind of heart. He
would say anything TO spare these wom-
lanlv synpathies which-if you permit
me-do YOU so great credit. senorita.
Surely the good Rhode would make
Hight Of the injury"
"But you haven't that delcacy -
"T don't consider II kind to conceal
, from, YOU the truth senorita. You are
an old friend of Senior Crittenden; as
such YOU would undoubtedly do any
, thing in your power to spare him SUI
ferins. Isn't il so?'
Yes"
.-Then I have the pleasure of offering
you the opportunity You have Dut 10
say the word and he is spared-he re-
turns 20 US. welcome. safe, II not pop,
IuIar. J fear L can't promise ne VIII
ever be popular with my men,.
Well insisted Cynthia. implacabie.
The Jewels of Madame SsNaran, sald
Perez frankly; my men demand them;
tl,ey are known to be aboard the vessel;
I
grant. That seme one might even ne
Madame SavaraR herself; she is cunning
enough TO take such a step TO protect
her property. But, IL such we're the
case you would certainly know of 1t
~ DON'T said Cynthia bluntly. II
there's anything in your theory-and l
hope there is-NIadame Sayaran keeps
her own confidence. Not even TO help
this poor. wounded man can I tell you
L I know.
myself" ....
disappointment set its cast In the eyes
of the Brazilian. ''Sor' he said thought
fully. He moved hands expressive OF
COMPOUNDED resignation. so there Is
nothing feasible in that direction, seno-
rita am sorry; upon my word am
desolated."
but there's another way" Cynthia in
sisted.
Yes"
Even IL necessary to leave him-and
I can't see that; 1 don't believe there
are two men with US who would nurse
a grudge TO the point of being willing
10 murder--even granting that necessity,
is there any for leaving Mr.. Crittenden
without attendance? You have boats;
you can set me ashore to take him med
icines and dress his wound"
"Ah, but why should I?''
There was that in the tone of the man
TO appease Cynthia that a new element
had been injected into the conference.
She looked him coldly. steadily i'm his
eyes.
"Its common humanity" she said.
Then suddenly she uttered a low cry OF
horror and CONSERVATION, for without
the least warning the Brazilian had TAX
en- step toward her and caught her
wrists in both his hands-not harshly.
hut with a compelling grasp.
Let me go!' she gasped Let me
go. I say"
"Ah. but no. Senorita'' -.
Passion transformed the Brszilian; for
the nonce his sedulously cultivated self
restraint fell away from him like some
garment he might choose To discard as
being of no further use TO him. The
face he thrust close to Cynthia's was
darkiy stained beneath it's swarthy hue;
the eyes that looked into hers We're lam
bent with lawless light; the touch of his
hands was burning, polluhng. detesta-
ble.
She wrought momentarily without eff
feet to free herself, hearing the low, swift
murmur Of his insinuating accents,
pitched intimately for her hearing alone.
-.Ah. but no. II is not in the heart Of
man, my senorita, TO further the affairs
OF another in your favor. What is he
20 me that I should let you go to him,
TO nurse and tend and comfort him, while
I am all aflame for the kindness of
your eyes. the music OF your voice, the
caress OF wour exquisite. hands? .. 9.
Be gracious to me, dear lady. &. Is
love such as mine to be despised? 4.
Say but the word TO madden me with
happiness-and / will dare the world
for you'll will send for this poor fool
who"
With a supreme effort Cynthia wrest-
ed her hands away and stepped back,
glancing about wildly for some avenue
OF flight But she was cornered. hedged
IN corner Of the saloon with no way
out save that barred by the confidently
extended arms of the Brazilian.
, Intent on conquest and contemptuous
OF resistance, making nothing of her
hunted and desperate look. Perez step
ped closer. smiling insolently.
mo- Cynthia pleaded wildly. beat
ing down the hands that sought to re-
new their grasp. please beg Of
you"
Perezs smile became more madden
ingly presumptuous. With his infiamed
countenance within foot of hers, sub
jecting her 20 the Understandable often
sivencss Of his greedy eyes, the man
lowered his voice. speaking swiftly
-