The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-06-13

lage which was a model Of neatness, and on
up winding path for nearly a mile, when
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 so 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 n
lieutentcommander in the British navy, and
to prevent an accident he disoboyed the order
OF an incompetent and arrogant superior officer.
In a quarrel that followed, her father knocked
his superior down and otherwise abused him,
for which he was courtmartlaled and dis
missed.
"My father was a high.spirited 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 a p.
& 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 q warehouse and ma
chine shop for repairs. He had taken great
pains to make his rendezvous secure from dis.
covery.
when I was not much older than nineteen
father and mother were taken desperately ILL.,
and he called me into his room and made a
confession. He said that in his hatred of the
British he had turned pirate and had been for
revin ahi N,.ip ba Nag
he despised He had ALSO occasionally, waged
war on the native pirates and taken their loot
from them, which explained why he had fire.
quently come in with wounded men on board
and he made me swear that II he died would
continue the work he had begun He told me
could rely on Frank Deverel his chief officer,
whom he said no hoped would some day mar.
ry,"-this last with Just trace Of sarcasm.
MY father died the next week and my mother
three months later.
THAT was four years ago have kept the
oath, but the fulfillment has brought me In.
creasng misery My attacks on the British
flag have been few-in fact. have given timely
assistance to many moro English ships than
have robbed. and hundreds OF their passengers
and crews owe their lives to me- but have
preyed on the natural pirates OF these waters
as ardently, perhaps. as did my father"
After luncheon the queen and set of toward
tho mountaintop, nearly ono thousand feet
above us, but we did not reach It. for the heat
was intense.
well, what do you think of us now" she
asked. on our way down. after had told her
how ] had spent the forenoon.
Il think enough of you to devote my whole
life to your service," quickly replied.
When came back to dinner she was waiting
for me in her bower AS she came to meet me
and extended her hand she said earnestly and
almost sadly: Il believe you were honest and
sincere in what you said this afternoon. but
can only say Thank you What you suggested
is impossible"
In the three weeks that followed urged my
love upon her with all OF my determination but
she refused TO change her decision and ap
parently was a firm In It as she was at first
II was agreed that we should both give VI
piracy, but all OF our arguments ended there
until finally one afternoon, as we sat looking
out over tho sea and talking OF the ordinary
affairs OF life she said. slowly and emphatic
ally, 'Deverell was my fathers right-hant
man. | am going to take the next ship fol
England lay my case before the home secretar,
and ask him for full pardon. win confess Il
him that have taken from the pirates wha
they had stolen from others. To Offset tina
offense | have hundreds Of written statements
from people whose lives have saved from tn,
pirates. believe can secure pardon, ant
II ! do will meet you with clear conscience
and become your wife!"