The Elbert County tribune., 1912-06-14

lage which was model of neatness and on
up winding path for nearly a mile when
sharp turn around a flank OF the mountain
Drought 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
Oh moving silk 30 becoming that wondered at
her ever wearing anything else After break
iast 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 a
iamliy headed by baron. Her father was a
heutent-commander in the British navy and
10 prevent an accident he disoboyed the order
OF an incompetent and arrogant superior officer
In quarrel that followed. her father knocked
MS superior down and otherwise abused him,
Tor which he was courtmartialed and dis.
missed.
MY father was high-sprited man." she
continued. "and his disgrace embIttered him
against England and everything English. He
soon left home, and when we next heard from
MIN ne was In Hong Kong. When was about
nfteen. he wrote mother and me to take a p
q o. ship for Singapore. where we would find
iurtner instructions. When we got there father
was waiting for a handsome yacht the
Queen. am still using her He brought us to
TO this island. where he had established a small
settlement and built 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 III.
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
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.
quently come In with wounded men on board
and he made me swear that II he died would
cont e 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.
y,-this last with just a 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 fulhllment has brought me In
creasing misery My attacks on the British
nag have been few-in fact. / have given timely
assistance to many more English ships than
nave robbed. and hundreds OF their passengers
ana 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 on toward
the mountaintop nearly 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
now mad spent the forenoon
Il think enough OF you to devote my whole
lie to your service!" quickly replied
Wnen came back TO dinner she was waiting
Tor me In her bower. AS she came to meet me
and extended her hand she said earnestly and
almost sadly: 'T believe you we're honest and
sincere In what you said this afternoon but I
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 1t as she was at first
1t was agreed that should both give up
piracy, but all of arguments ended there
until finally. one afternoon. as we sat looking
out over the and talking OF the ordinary
a1airs OF lffe she said slowly and emphatic
ally, "Deverefl my fathers right-hapd
man am going to take the next ship for
england. lay my case before the home secretary
and ask him for full pardon. will confess to
MIN that have taken from the pirates what
they had stolen from others. To Offset that
onense have hundreds of written statements
from people whose lives have saved from the
pirates believe can secure a pardon and
II do will meet you with clear conscience
and become your wifel"