Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-16
CHAPTER VIII.
Wherein I Make All Clear to MY
Little Mistress.

S>ASSe OS->s
Hard as stared at her, the glance that
she shot back at me in intensity. If not
expression matched my own. 1 never
want to see such Ioathing, such contempt,
such scorn on a human countenance
again. It cut me to the heart. Con-
scious Of my own innocence of wrong and
unaware Of the excellence of my acting.
I could not understand, If for a moment.
That she had SO far believed my own
words against her knowledge of my char
acter and the memory Of my long. de-
voted, faithful service, COMPOUNDED me.
was appalled,, paralyzed for the time be-
ing 1 didn't know what to say, how to
begin an explanation. I stood there gap
ing like a fool. 1t was she who broke the
silence that was becoming insupportable
between U.S. Come to think of it. the in
itiative-in speech, at least, was invaria-
ably hers.
"A moment" she said, wildly, land I
had done it. traitor:
Nay, nay" 1 protested, Il am true
man..
me-"
Il was not in earnest" I cried. but she
interrupted me in a perfect tempest on
outraged feeling.
my Cod" she burst out. why didn't
you stay away little longer? You dog
you vile, low
But at that 1 found voice again. for
was getting angry myself, my temper
naturally being none the sweetest. save
ordinarily when she was concerned.
Hear me-" l interrupted in turn.
Not a word
But indeed, you must" I persisted.
stepping within her cabin and carefully
closing the door after me. 1t Is your
welfare alone that I seek. L think you
should have known that.
After the insult on the quarterback
last evening"" she asked. cuttingly.
Now, I confess I had forgot that small
affair in the graver matters that ensued.
Never mind that 1 began. most I'M
wisely.
Never mind it," she cried, her face
flaming. Il shall never forget your in
science as long as I live"
Madam" said I. controlling myself
again, but with added difficulty, our
concern is not with kisses, but with
WHAT"
Life and
/ hesitated.
What else? Speak on
Your HONOR 1 said, slowly, whereat
she stared at my face. doubtless stern
enough in all conscience.
She opened her mouth to speak, but l
silenced her with a wave of my hand as
1 found could do on various occasions.
i
then. What 1 had to say concerned us
both so deeply that 1 cared not what she
said, and perhaps that closed cabin into
which I had penetrated was the likeliest
place for privacy in the whole ship.
could by no 1neans be overheard, SO de-
termined to speak freely in a way not to
be misunderstood. She shrank back
against the farther bulkhead as 1 APP
preached her her mouth open to scream.
evidently, although she must have real
lied that a call for help would have but
added to her tormentOrs. But 1 stopped
her before she made sound.
Il mean you no harm. Can you not
see it." I burst out. 1T was all a play"
"A play she painted. 1.-The murder Of
the captain, the mutiny of the men, the
seizure of the ship. the giving up the
chart. your purchase" she drew her
self up-God she was a brave little thing!
-"of me- she continued. with your
share Of the treasure. Was that a play?"
Part of it. madam said l. stung by
thought that she could ever have believed
me capable of such baSeness, who had
loved her, worshiped her. and-but for
that fleeing moment when I had kissed
her-had ever treated her with such hum
BILE consideration
Part of it." she said. what part?''
my part"
Your part?
Il am your humble servant now as
ever"
MY master, isn't it, since you bought
me?'
God forbid: bought not you
what them"
The right to live and serve you; the