The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-12-10

l
being like another certain bit of parcL
ment of which Count Sachio ba'
robbed her. AS yet she could not de
cipher the torn half-legible screed
How came she by it, and why? Sh
herself could scarcely have told VIII,
she had paused to take it from tn
pocket of the dead sailor in the cav
ern when, Just before their flight, sh,
had bethought herself that possibly hi
bore upon his person some proof o
his identity. Thus far she had no
had time to look at the soiled an(
crumpled bit. She concealed it now
in her mind the growing suspicion
that providentially she might have
been put in possession of the othel
half of the torn paper which Sachit
had coveted! She had ceased to won
der at fortunes caprices now and soor
indeed all thought Of this torn parch
ment was banished from her mind
| She forgot that possibly it also spoke
of broken coins or treasure chambers
or other things of ancient history in
these lands whose very stones had sto.
ries could they but tell them.
Restored somewhat by food and
drink, and having regained a trifle of
her self-respect by the donning of
some woman's garments which she
found in the cabin, Kitty -Gray's buoy
ant spirits began once more to assert
themselves. AS she loked at her
face in the little mirror she spoke
half aloud the resolution which she
saw in the reflected features.
"Im not going to England" said she.
I'm not going to America. I'm going
back to Gretzhoffen, till my work is
done! Surely they will put US down
at that port-it is as near as any.
Then-we shall see."
An hour later she returned to the
deck to make her duties to her host
more completely-little as she had
been impressed by his personality or
his conduct, which later she was ready
to stigmatize as odious.
She met Count Frederick, much i'm
proved by change to well-fitting
suit of fiannels which he had found.
He smiled now happily at seeing her.
you're looking ripping, mademoi-
selle!" said he. 81 did not see you
have that frock on the island yonder"
Nor did l notice that your trousers
were so well pressed there!" retorted
she.
At this moment Wyndham Joined
them. 81 was just saying to Mr.. |
Wyndham," said Count Frederick, |
that we owed him very great debt |
of gratitude, and that you"
quite the other way about, assure |
you," said Mr.. Arthur Wyndham, the |
brewers son, as he pressed somewhat |
too warmly the hand which Kitty ex-
tended him. 1T is / who am the |
debtor 1 swear, never saw one
change so much!"
His gaze, which passed over Kitty |
in her new apparel, was quite too Ian
gushing. Kitty Gray made such con-
versation as she could. Unconsciously
she drifted to the side of Count Fred
srick, and finding herself there, won
|
more she was alone, at the mercy of
men. There was not another woman
IN this boat. But now, if it came to
!. choice, she knew which of these two
men she would elect as her protector.
Count Frederick made some excuse
md departed presently, so that Kitty
ound herself alone with Wyndham.
,he liked little enough the ardor of I
he gaze which he bent upon her now, I
nd arose to leave him.
"You will excuse me?" said she. Il {
ave forgotten something
But as she turned she heard him
tride suddenly toward her, felt his t
and upon her arm.
mo, mol" said he "Wait-why do |
GU go? Finding you here-such 7
your life and all that G
do you think l am a man of stone a
o you Think" e
81 think you must excuse me-" said
.itty Gray, icily.
But you just said you owed debt
{ gratitude n
"That any woman rescued from a a
eril owes to any gentleman
ooh, l say, come now!" he rejoined. o
How about little kiss to the honest p
iilor who was lucky enough to save o
Dur life! It's far from home or help. +
I'D no one knows-I say, now" r
She sprang from him with a startled fl
,ream, name upon her lips which L
lme readily enough when she needed "
d. II
Count Frederick heard her. He came
speed-and arrived just in time to II
e Mr. Wyndham pursuing his amor S
IS advances to the extent of casting "
| arm about Kitty as she would have Ii
ID. The sight was enough. Without g
using for any question he sprang b
rward and sent Wyndham Keeling n
ainst the corner of the cabin with
e swift sweep of his arm. With the ii
her arm he pushed Kitty away. An =
slant, and he had joined her and was m
If carrying her toward the door.
Sudden wrath now seized the soul
this gentleman lately atuned to soft
emotions. "Stop!" he called out &C
s hand found bell. The sound of to
lex footsteps came on the deck and W
N of the crew appeared at the door. be
nh 4 n,