The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1913-11-05
The Island Of the Stairs
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mR Isou 20 forgive me FOR wnat 49,
about to do. and shook her violently
back and forth It was easy enough.
A baby in my hands would not have
been more helpless -6ilenee. you
foolsr' l cried as the men began to
laugh again. and then to her: You
belong to me, woman. Do you hear!
I've bought you. I am your master
Get back into your cabin will have
speech with you later" Helpless. she
could do nothing. thrust her into
the cabin, shut the door and faced the
men "will you gentlemen leave me
alone to tame this she devil for q lit
tie while, and I will be on deck pres
emily" painted out
"very WE'LL" said Pimbail, but b.
fore we go"-he pointed to . heavy
bottle in the rack-"I propose that We
drink the health Of the new navigator
and his lady"
"Right-or said l.
I reached for the glasses that were
IN the rack and poured out stin
dram for each man and added mighty
little water to it. The room was soon
llled with hooking. jeering toasts to
my health and happiness ! drank
with the rest. although would rather
have swallowed poison They went
out one by one. Pfmball last
~ wish you Joy Of your woman" he
sneered.
you will see how tame she 10 to-
morrow" laughed as he climbed mp
the ladder and soon disappeared.
To throw open the door Of the cab
in was the work Of a minute There
she stood. She had twisted some kind
Of rope out Of the sheets which she
had hastily torn up Her purpose was
plain. She had Intended to end her
life by hanging herself from the hook
In the deck beam above to which one
end Of her rope was secured. and she
would have done 1t. too. II had not
come In in the nick OF time.
stared at her for a moment and
then reached forward and tore the
plated strands out of her hand and
from around her neck and threw them
10 the deck. It was evidence to me
Of the deepness Of her despair that
she had attempted such q thing II
showed me for one thing the excel
lencs Of my acting. I had convinced
even her Of my villainy. ] realized
with . sudden pang.
Hard as I stared at her, the glance
that she shot back At me in intensity.
II not expression. matched my own.
I never want to see such loath1ng.
such contempt. such scorn on human
countenance again. Il cut me to the
heart
"A moment" she said wildly. and
! had done 1t, traitorr'
MAY, nay" protested. = am .
true man"
"You bargained for me; you bought
mel"
Il was not in earnest" cried, but
she interrupted me in q perfect tenn
pest Of outraged feeling.
my Godr' she burst out "Why
didn't you stay away q little loagsef
You dog! You vile. low
But at that I found voice again. for
I was getting angry myself. my tenn
per naturally being none the sweet
est, save ordinarily when she was con-
cerned.
Hear me-" I interrupted In turn
mot a word"
"But indeed you must" I persisted.
stepping within her cabin and careful
ly closing the door after me. 1T Is
your welfare alone that ] seek.
think you should have known that"
after the insult on the quarterback
last eveningr she asked cuttingly.
Madam" said l, controlling myself
again. but with added difnculty. "eur
concern is not with kisses. but with
"Whatr'
Life and
I hesitated.
"What else3 Speak ont"
"Your honor" said slowly. whereat
she stared at my face. doubtless stern
enough in all conscience.
What had to say concerned rs both
20 deeply that ! cared not what she
said. and perhaps that closed cabin
into which ! had penetrated was the
hkeliest place for privacy in the whole
ship. ] could by no means be over
heard so i determined to speak freely
IN a way not to be misunderstood.
81 mean you no harm. Can you not
see itr ] burst out. 1T was all Q
play"
IA playw she painted. The murder
u the captain. the mutiny Of the men.
the seizure Of the ship. the giving up
A.