Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-20
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

Slyne. searching under the settee. scowl-
ed to himself. He was not for a moment
prepared to admit that the matter was at
an end. but neither was he inclined to
contradict his companion again. 1t irked
him to have to hold his tongue. He ap-
preached the subject afresh, from another
direction
You may not find it SO easy now as
you think to dispose Of her. he adven-
tured. The worlds not SO wide as it
was. for one thing, and she's developed a
very strong will of her own these past
few months
Tell me something l don't know" beg
ged Capt. Dove. THE worlds become
far too small to suit me-or you, either.
Slyne-but j know one or two quiet cor
ners Yet where the black flags better
known than the British If that's what
you're limiting at.
did you ever hear of the Pirate Isles.
for instance? They're not what they
used to be, Of course, but there's still
trade to be done in those waters, I'm spite
of the French. l once met a Chinese
mandarin there who offered me a hum
dred thousand taels for the girl-close on
$4,000. I'm going east again now, and I
know where to lay my hands on him
when l want to.
"A year ago 1 could have got rid of her
to a son of a gun from Shiraz. who tried
to do me down over a deal in rifles for
Afghanistan. but l wouldn't let her go to
a scoundrel like that.
THE Rajah Of But pshaw. I've
had round dozen of such offers for her.
first and last, all good government
bOndS-and a lot more than that like
yours. Slyne."
Slyne almost choked over his cham
payne. but Capt. Dove did not seem to
notice that.
right sort-that comes along" the old
man went on, growing gloomy again
I've been too particular. l admit. I've
picked and chosen for her at my own ex-
pense, and always meaning to see her as
happily settled as might be. l couldn't
have considered her more If she had been
my own daughter"
Slyne pricked up his, ears. That's just
where the trouble will come in for you,''
said he She's somebody's daughter and
some day she'll find out whose: she isn't
by any means as simple as you suppose.
Then there will be the devil to pay-out
of empty pockets
He hesitated over an impulse to argue
the moral aspect of Capt. Doves express
ed intention regarding the helpless girl,
but concluded to let that go, since the pc
cuniary side of 1t was so much more to
the point. Il wonder you don't see." he
went on. patiently, 'hOw much better it
would pay you in the long run to marry
her to me, and so be done with all your
worries. I'm bound to make money
With her to help me I'd soon be breaking
the bank
I'm not close-fisted, either: I'm willing
to share the profits with you as long as
you've any use for them He held I'D a
protesting hand as Capt. Dove would
have cut in. no doubt. with some caustic
sarcasm. What I'm Offering you isn't
$S5,OOO, remember. he finished, but a
free income for life that'li run into six
figures year. or I'll be vastly surprised
at your simple tastes!'
You'd be more surprised If 1 said
done to any such idiots bargain" Opined
Capt Dove, and laughed like an old
hyena. And the sooner you get all such
nOnsensical projects aside the better we'll
get on together. My pretty white black
bird will never have to fret her heart