Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-27

90 without you? ! am she hesitat- |
ed; 1t was hard for her proud spirit |
II am sorry" she finished
''Say no more" l 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. l mean
to extricate you from this peril"
But is 1t possible?"
''I think so: pray So"
"You are one against so many"
81 have one ally IN the ship. you
forget" said |. smiling at 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 Isl
Yourself"
smiling in turn.
I'VE shall see"
And will you forgive me for hav-
ing misjudSed your she asked plead
ingly.
Gladly"
MY hand on It. then" she said.
holding out her little palm which I
swallowed up in my large one on the
/ instant. standing silent as usual. hold
| ing IL the while.
And are you not sorry that you
| you-kissed me?" she faltered ut last
NO" | answered bluntly enough
/ being plain man have always felt
! compelled to tell the truth-except,
! perhaps. when her interests were at
stake-'I ara not sorry" But as she
! swiftly tried to draw her hand away
added. II 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 leaned at that assur-
ance and / saw that she had indeed
forgiven me.
IT shall leave everything to you. Mas
ter Hampton" she continued do you
tell me what to do. and l will do it,
II know you will could not ask a
drawer. better second" ! answered
heartily.
At that moment heard q step on the
ladder. Somebody was coming Quick
as fash | realized the part we had
TO play in public. ! balled my fist and
struck the bulkhead savagely. sup
pose must have changed my express
sion as well. for In her surprise she
screamed family.
That's it," / whispered. scream
again, louder. louder"
What do you meanr' she asked in
incomprehensihle Amusement. in this
crisis my wits working quicker than
hers.
There is somebody outside We have
part to play. am abusing you and
you are fighting" | whispered swiftly.
Then louder. fairly shouting at her in
deed. cried. Down on your knees.
wench. You will End that. you have
met your master now"
I made some sound OF scuffie and she
did indeed scream loudly. In the midst
of the commotion the door was tried.
but fortunately had turned the key.
who's therc:" | shouted. and to my
lady whispered. BEG for help
Entering into the spirit of the game
ard smiling ut me, since there was
none bit tn zee. albeit she infused
strange terror in her voice, so that |
was amazed myself. she cried at the
top OF her voice:
Help! Help"
In turn called louder yet:
, "Silence. woman" and struck the
bulkhead again.
, Finally turning to the door opened
, it a bit. and there stood one Of the
younger seamen.
What want you:" began sternly
and stormily. II don't care to be dis.
; turbed just now"
"You are wanted on deck. 1t Is Just
dawn. Land has been sighted. and
there's n heavy sea runnin'. Pimball
an Glibby want your counsel and ad
, vice what's to be done"
Good" said l. "I will be with you
in a moment Tell them / have yet 9
, word or two to say to this woman
, | here"
The man turned on his heel. passed
through the cabin and climbed the lad
: der to the deck.
|. NOW" l said quickly, thrustinS one
OF my pistols into my little mistress
!, hand. I'VE can talk no longer this time
am going to do my best for you. and
II I fail here Is a weapon. You know
!, what to do with 1t"
shall use 1t on themr'
"No. lass" l answered grimly, "or
yourself II it comes to the worst"
!: 81 understand she said. paling
little.
Lock the door when 20 out, ant
on no account open to any voice bu
mine"
, 81 shall remember"
And keep mp the acting" / said
"Whimper and cover away wheneve
I we are seen together"
II shall not forget" she said. stand
ing very straight. looking at me brave
~. her eyes shining.
"And now goodby.''
q l turned away. but she caught M
u by the shoulder. She extended he