Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-04-03

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!, Found Her Struggling Desperately In
the Arms Of a lascar.
dazzling white cummerbund, the up
J per half of his body lost in the shadow
,of the deck, a gray blur standing for
} his turban.
o'Rourke stepped forward, with a
quick movement kicking the kris over
board, and would have seized the fel.
low but that the woman intervened.
She said decisively: "If you please
no"
Bewildered. o'Rourke hesitated. 81
beg your pardon" he said in con-
fusion.
She did not reply directly; her at
'tention was all for the lascar, whom
her revolver still covered. To him,
'"Go!" she said sharply. with signif-
cant motion of the weapon.
The lascar stepped back, with sim
gle wriggle losing himself in the dense
shadows.
O'Rourke fairly gasped amazement
at the woman, who, on her part, re-
treated slowly until her back touched
the railing. She remained very quiet
and thoroughly mistress of herself, be-
traying agitation only by slightly
quickened breathing and cold pallor.
Her eyes racked the deck on either
hand: 1t was plain that she had no
faith in the lascar, perhaps apprehend-
ed his return; yet her splendid con-
troll of her nerves evoked the irish
man open admiration.
FAITH" he cried, breaking the
tense silence, "'tis yourself shames
me, madam, with the courage of ye!"
She flashed him glance, and
la a71ghed slightly. "Thank you," she
I'm sure 1 don't know
where 1 should be now but for you"
"'Twas nothing at all. But yell
pardon me for suggesting that ye
have made a mistake, madam"
"lA mistaken" she echoed; and then,
thoughtfully: mo, 1 shouldn't call it
that"
Letting him go, I mean. Neither
Of us, 1 believe, could well identify
him. When ye report this outrage to
the captain, whom will ye accuse?"
81 shall accuse no one," she said
quietly, "for I shan't report the af-
fair"
'Ye will not" he cried, astounded.
Indeed, 1 am quite sincere: I shall
do nothing whatever about 1t. 1t is,
moreover, a favor which I shall ask
Of you, to say nothing of the matter
to anyone"
O'Rourke hesitated, unwilling to be-
lieve that he had heard Alright.
Believe me-" she was saying earn
estly, 81 have good reason for max
ing a request so unaccountable to
you"
"But-but-Mrs. Prynne-!"
ooh, you know me then?" she inter-
rupted sharply. And her look was
curious and intent.
"L-'tis-faith!" O'Rourke stammer-
ed. He felt his face burn. "Me valet
told me-" he confessed miserably.
. 'Tis bit of Irritation he's been hav-
ng with your maid, Cecile, 1 believe,
madam"
".Ah, yes" She seemed unaccount-
aby relieved. "You, then, are Colonel
O'Rourke?"
He bowed. Terence o'Rourke,
and at your service, believe
me-"
"I am very glad" she said slowly,
cycling him deliberately, "that, since
had to be aided. it came through one
If whom 1 have heard so much"
"Faitn. Mrs. Prynne-!"
"And I thank you a second time,
very heartily" She offered him her
hand, and smiled bewitchingly.
"'Tis embarrassing me ye are" he
protested. Faith, to be thanked
,wice for so slight service! can
,nly wish that I might do more
"lt is possible" she said, apparent
y not in the least displeased by his
"It is possible that I
nay take you at your word, Colonel
0Rourke."
In her eyes, intent upon his, he
ancied that he recognized an amused
Kicker, with, PERHAPS, trace of deep
sr emotion: the kindling interest of
woman in a strong man, with whose
signals he was not unfamiliar. Pride
md his conceit stirred in his breast.
"'Twould be the delight of me life,"
he told her In an ecstasy.
Don't be too sure, warn you.
colonel" Her manner was now arch,
her smile entirely charming. ut might
be- no light service I should require of