Mexico Missouri message., 1913-06-19
CHAPTER vIll.-tcortinued.)

CHAPTER VIiI.-tcontinued)
He regarded her silently; the beau
dful. impatient eyes; the slim. white
fingers that tapped restessly. one
against another. 81 will do what
can!" he said at last slowly.
But what?" she demanded. What
can you do?"
He did not answer; my lady made a
gesture. How ridiculous! A prison
er on an islandi"
There may be a way" he began
my horse ?" she said quickly. What
became Of him."
He was swept away by the tide!"
Into the proud eyes came a softer
dght-of regret, pain.
Your Ladyship should remember It
might have been worse" he added. in
tones intended to reassure her. After
ali. IT was only a horse"
Only a horse!" she exclaimed In
dignantly. But, / suppose you can't
understand-caring for horse!"
Il can understand caring for a
chip" he answered quickly, fash OF
amusement, hardly concealed. in his
bold. dark eyes.
"A shipl" scornfuIly. dead wood
and iron"
1--we wood and iron! Beautiful
as" The simile failed him; he
aocked at my lady. Something to be
depended on. with a hand 20 the
wheel. and an eye keen for mad dane.
angs and curvetings"
Il might appreciate them better"
che interrupted dryly. with delicate
brows uplifted, IF they brought me
nearer TO the Mount That, and not
idle opinions" In accents that con-
veyed surprise at the temerity Of one
in his position 10 express them, lis
of most moment"
He accepted the reproof with
readiness that further surprised her.
Your Ladyship is right" he said. Il
will see what may be done. The storm
has passed There Is yet daylight,
and" an expression. almost preoccu-
pied, came to his features-"a boat
may be sighted"
ITO be sune!" At the prospect. all
other considerations passed from my
lady's mind. A boat may be sighted!
Why did you not think Of II before?
Come! Too much time has already
been lost" And she rose
"One moment" His voice was
quiet; respectful; although. she
fancied. constrained. Il had better 20
alone. The way to the clin is rough.
and"
Il shall not mind that!"
Besides, your clothes"
Are dry!"
"No!" She flushed at the abrupt CON
'tradiction. y mean. don't see how
they could be-" he went on hurriedly
~snd." his tone assumed a certain OBJ
duracy, Il assure your Ladyship. &
will be best"
Best" She looked at him NOR,
sharply "Is that your only reason ?"
"Why2" A trace Of embarrassment
<or an instant. crossed his dark fes
tures What other reason. my Lady +?
THAT know mott" quickly. assure
her words had struck home. only
am certain there is one!"
Then. II your Ladyship mus
know" he spoke slowly. 81 did nc
wish TO alarm you. But this is a roug
7NPabAs wan h1oA@ ASN5A PtOllt hDOl
-smugglers. privateersmen--"
Whom you, perhaps, are expec
fng?" she cried suddenly.
'T!" with a careless laugh. "A fs
erman! Your Ladyship Is imagin
tive" he began, when a sudde
hRsty footstep clinked on the ston.
without; hand caught at the taste
tngs OF the door; flung 1t open.
Il thought ] should find you her
Seigneur!" exclaimed yoic
Since"
The young man made a moyeme
and the speaker stopped; caught sig
of my lady, Just beyond. In the fadiI
light. And az the picture-her fRu
behind that other one--the fine. nat
clan features, framed by the disc
dered golden hair, the widely open
eyes. bright, eXpectant. the intrud
started back.
The Governors daughter! "
Seigneur!" be stammered, and ra
ing his hand. involuntarily cross
himseh
CHAPTER TX.