The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-10-02
Id al conscience.

0GdrQ. so | CeEpTullntFl 10 SPEAK freely
in way not to be misunderstood.
Il mean you no harm. Can you not
see it:" | burst out 1T was all
play"
"a play" she painted The murder
of the captain. the mutiny of the men.
the seizure Of the ship, the giving up
the chart. your purchase she drew
herself up-G"d. SIZE was a brave little
thing-"of me-. she continued. with
your share of the treaSure-Was that
pIay:''
Part of it, madam" said |. stung
by her scorn and stunned again by
the thought that she could ever have
believed me capable Of such basene>s.
who had loved her. worshiped her and
but for that feeting moment when
| had kissed her-had ever treated her
with such humble consideration. Il
bought not you
What them"
The right to live and serve you:
the right for you to live unframed
and
And what?''
And be served by me with no
thought but for your safety and hap
pness.''
She stared at me in deep consterna
ton. her brow furrowed. ! had wit
enough to be silent and let the speech
work.
Have l wronged you:' she asked
falteringly at last
What would your fate be if you
were left to that murderous rabble ON
the deck yonder:'
She shuddered as pressed the
thought home to her.
You should have known me bet
ter | continued reproachfully. than
to have Suspected"-
But your insult to me this very
night on the quarterdeck:
is Il man to be condemned beyond
pardon who has served you truly be
cause he SnatcheS Il kiss in a moment
of madness and fOrgetS it when your
life and honor tremble in the bal
ance:
Il do not think even you could for
get that ever" she said. and | could
not idIHOul eAdctlt ueF purpose III tlltt
remark
Did she not want me to forget it?
Or would she have me remember it:
But this seemed like trif1ing. | turned
away bitterly. but she caught me by
the arm instantly.
What are YOU about to do:' she
began. Don't abandon me now. |
h.,li
did it. 1t was to save me and help
me What would | do. what could |
do without YOU: | am she heSitat
ed: it was hard for her proud spirit
Il am sorry" she finished,
Say no more" | answered. looking
down at the little hand on my sleeve.
my soul thrilling to her words and
touch NO harm shall come to YOU
save over my dead body. and that is
not enough for me to promise. | mean
to eXtricate you from this peril"
But is it possible"
Il think so: | pray So
You are one against so many"
Il have one ally in the ship. you
forget" said l. smiling ut her relieved
and thankful to see her in her right
mind again and awake to the truth
and my real feeling toward her
And that is
"YOurSeif"
"A feeble helper" she rejoined
! smiling in turn
I'VE shall see
Aud will YOU forgive me for hav-
! inc miSiud~ed you:" she asked plead
| in@ly
"GIadly"
My hand on it. then" she said.
! holding out her little palm which |
swallowed mp in my large one on the
! instant. standing silent as usual. hold
| ing ii the while.
"Hnd are you not sorry that you
YOU kissed me- she faltered at last
| No" | answered bluntly enough
| beiE" Il plain man | have always felt
| COMPELLED to tell the truth-eXcept.
perhaps when her interests We're at
| Stakp-"l am not sorry" But as she
| swiftly tried to draw her hand away
! added. Il promise you won't do it
again. and YOU will forgive me. |
/ know. Meanwhile we have much TO
/ plan. We may be interrupted any
| time and we had best get at it,
| released her hand and she faced ME
, calmly enough
You don't know how much safer
feel when have you to depend upon.
! she said
How my heart leaped al that asSur
! an"e and | saw that she had indeed
/ forgiven me
Il shall leave everything to you. Mas
| ter Hampton" she continued DO yor
j tel me what to do. and | will do it,
Il know you will | could not ask 6
| hruver better second" answered
heartily
At that moment | heard a step on the
ladder Somebody was coming. Quick
as flash realized the part we haG
7 A. in | hpIiai my ST