The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-10-07
II cannot. l shall not"

| II cannot. l Shall not"
What do you mean? Do you know
what this looks like. the way you ure
netting. running off with Mr.. David
sons yacht, and this
Yes. MADAME"
"Why, it's robbery, and it's-its-
why. it's abduction too. You ought to
know the law"
II do know the law. 1t is piracy.
Have we not told you that resistance
would be worse than useless? Haven't
told you I've captured this ship?
Little do you know the fate that lies
before you. madam, at the hands of
my ruthless men If l should prove un-
able to restrain them! And have a
care not to offend Black Bart the
Avenger himself! If you do. Aunt Lu.
cinda. he may cut Off your evening
champagne"
l heard a sudden suppressed sound.
wondrous like giggle. but when
turned Helena was sitting there as
sober as Portia, albeit thought her
eyes suspicfously bright.
"Well," said she at length, I'VE can't
sit here all night and talk about It,
and I've used up all my note paper
and bottles I'll tell you what sug-
gest, since you have seen fit to intrude
on two women in this way. We will
hold parley tomorrow after break
fast"
"Why not ut breakfast?''
"Beca,.,.. VIZ. shall eat alone here
auntie and lin our cabin"
Every we'll, then, if it seems you are
so bitter against the new commander
Of the ship that you will not sit at the
captains table-as we did the second
time we Went to Europe together, we
three-don't you remember. Helena?"
"Never-at your table, sir!'' said
Helena Emory. her voice like stab.
And when I bethought me what that
had meant before now. that 1t would
mean all my life, il this woman might
never sit at board of mine. for one
instant felt the cold thrust Of fate's
steel. But the next instant new
manner Of feeling took its place. an
emotion l never had felt toward her
before-anger, rage!
ut is WE'LL" said l, pulling together
the best could ''And now. by my
halidom. or by George. or by anything.
you shall be taken at your word. You
breakfast here. Be glad If it is more
than bread and water-until you learn
better way OF speech with me-"
Again saw that same sudden change
on her face. surprise. almost fright,
and l swear she shrank from me as
though in terror. her hand plucking
at Aunt Lucinda's sleeve. whereas all
Aunt Lucinda could do was to pluck
at her niece's sleeve in turn.
"As to the parley. then" said l.
pulling. by mistake, my mask from
my pocket instead of my kerchief, I'VE
shall hold 1t tomorrow. at what time
and in what place l please. 1t i'll be-
seems a gentleman to pain one so fair.
as we may again remark: but, by heav.
en-. Helena. no resistance"
"Wait: What do you really meanT'
She raised a hand. 1--WE told you
just can't understand all this. ! al.
ways thought you were a-a-gentle-
man."
IA much misused word" was my
answer. "You never understood me at
all. l am not gentleman. I'm a
poor. miserable, unhappy, drifting. aim
less and useless failure-at least.
was until resolved upon this way to
recoup my fortunes and went in for
pirating What chance has man who
has lost his fortune in the game today
what chance with woman? You
ask me. who am I? l am pirate.
You ask what | intend to do? What
pirate can answer that? 1t all de-
pends.'
ION what?"
"Oh, your l answered furiously.
What right had you to ruin me, to
throw me over
She turned frightened glance to
Aunt Lucinda, whom had entirely
forgotten. 1t was my turn to blush. To
hide my confusion drew on my mask
as bowed.
met John coming down with the
ninety-three. AS he returned on deck
a moment later pushed shut the