Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-09

CHAPTER XVI.-Coutinued.
''The senorita." he said. cfvirly. with
a little bow. Seems excited-fr1ghtened.
possibly. May I hope my assurance that
she. at least. has nothing to fear. will
serve to comfort herr
Il am not afraid and I am not ex-
cited" asserted Cynthia, mingling OBJ
vious exaggeration with pafpable truth
for II she was not alarmed on her own
behalf. she was now half frantic with
the cumulative effect Of Rhodes news of
Crittenden added to her primary anxiety
and distress. "Mr. Rhode tells me- she
went on in q breath, Mr.. Crittenden is
to be left-marooned-on the island
THAT IL true. unhappily." ayerred
Perez, gravely. circumstances. Of which
he was the author. but out Of our con-
troll"
with you. Cynthia interrupted. ''He is
wounded and in need OF care
THAT likewise is sadly true"
And you intend to leave him without
that care. without even the means 10
bandage his hurt himself? Oh. 1t isn't
possible You could think Of anything so
contemptibly brutal and cowardly-'
"One moment" the Brazilian protested.
with lifted hand soliciting hearing.
Just one moment, X you please. senior
ita." He turned to his COMPANIONS. with
an apologize shrug. Captain" he sug-
gested. blandly. you will find Nine. Sa-
varan on deck, 1 believe. You might put
to her the several questions We have pre-
pared, while I endcavor to make Miss
Grayce understand. And Mr.. Rhode.
am sure. will forgive me for asking that
he leave us for a few moments"
With q brusque nod Lobb strobe out
upon the deck. evidently relieved. Rhode.
with less willingness, showing lower
slowly followed. Perez had already re-
turned his heedful and calculating con-
sideration to the girl. He smiled depre-
cafingly, with a briefly eloquent gesture
indicating their exposed surroundings.
ut is SO public" he deprecated. N
to the back Of the saloon there. at
least. we can converse without being
overheard"
Cynthia did not stir. is there any
she asked, quietly. having in the interval
drawn upon her self-command.
II think So" said the Brazilian. II
have in mind one or two matters which
might be held intimate to you, senorita-
matters which you would hardly like the
stewards (say) to be private to-"
VERY WELL" Cynthia inclined her head
stifffy, smothering an instinct Of repug-
nance. the feline grace and nonchalance
OF the man affecting her more unpleas-
antly even than ordinarily. She turned
sharply and marched with uncomprom-
Using arrogance back to the extreme of
the shallow compartment. "Well?" she
demanded, hating, Perez at her elbow.
with a manner made up of equal parts of
courtly Difference. sheer effrontery and
tendency.
You will 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. 81 am ready to listen"
well " T" am sorry you feel called
upon to show me go great hostility.
senorita."
"Yes-?"
ut is painful s' One had hoped 80
I'm waiting, Mr.. Perez. You are to
explain why you feel justified in leaving
a wounded man to live or die, as his
wound permits. upon an uninhabitable
island"
''It is too true: such is the unfortunate
aspect of affairs Perez discarded the
resources of diplomacy rendered inef-
luctantly resigned himself to an appear
ance OF sympathetic candor. ''Such, in
deed, is the pass to which we are
brought. dare not bring Mr.. Crittenden
back to the ship-so great is the ami
mostly OF the men; and there is no sur
geon to send him. on either vessel. Such
are the circumstances-withou alterna-
tive. II he returns he will almost GER
tainly meet with an accident: IL he stays
would be friend neither to him nor to
You did I disguise the fact that his in
jury is most serious"
Mr.. Rhode saidlit was trifiing.'' Gym
thia contended. with something cold clos
ing round her heart.
THAT is like him." Perez agreed. in
dulgent. HE is crude. Rhode-yes. per-
haps a trifle-yet kind OF heart. He
would say anything to spare these wom-
anly sympathies. which-if you permit
Surely the good Rhode would make light
OF the injury"
But you haven't that delicacy-'
Il don't consider 1t kind to conceal
from you the truth. senorita- You are
an old friend Of Senior Crittenden; as
such you would undoubtedly do anything
in your power to spare him suffering.
Isn't it so?"
Eyes 80
Then I have the pleasure of offering
you the opportunity. You have but to say
the word and he il spared-he returns to
us. welcome safe. if not popular. I fear
1 can't promise he will ever be popular
with my men,
"well?'' insisted Cynthia. implacable.
1.-The jewels of Nine. Sayaran." said
Perez. frankly; my men demand them:
they are known to be aboard the vessel;
some one has made way with them, we
grant. That some one might even be
Nine. Savaran herself: she is cunning
enough to take such a step to protect
her property. But. II such were the case.
you would certainly know Of tt
II don't" said Cynthia. bluntly. IF
there's anything I'm your theory-and I
hope there is-Mme. Savaran keeps her
own confidence. Not even to help this
poor, wounded man can I tell You what
you want to know. don't know. my
SELF"
Disappointment set its cast in the eyes
of the Brazilian. "So!" he said. thought
fully. He moved hands expressive Of
COMPOUNDED resignation. $50 there is
nothing feasible in that direction. senor-
ita. l am sorry; upon my word. / am
desolated.''
but there's another way" Cynthia in
sisted.
Even If necessary to leave him-and
can't see that don't believe there are
two men with. us who would nurse q
grudge to the point OF being willing to
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 medi-
cines and dress his wound"
"Ah, but why should II"
There was that in the tone Of the man
to apprise Cynthia that a new element
had been injected into the conference.
She looked him coldly. steadily in his
eyes.