The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-09-01

by glass or so of ninety-three at about 10:3O of the evening. Jotnr'
 -Lessah.''
 tsGo to the left hand locker in B and bring me bottle of the ninety three. I think you will find that better than this absurd champagne which I see syon varlet has been offering you, my dear Mrs. Danfver. But-excuse me-
 Helena looked up innocently.
 A moment before there were six empty bottles on the table there. And I saw you writing. How many have you thrown overheard through the porthole?"
 q didn't know you were so observ- ant,'' replied, Helena demurely. 'But only three.''
 stIt is not enough" said I. .tGo on and write your other messages for sue COT. Use each bottle, and we shall have more emptied for you if you like. You shall have oil bottles, vinegar bottles, water bottles, wine bottles, all you like: Yon varlet might run across one float ing, it is true. I hope he will Me thinks 'twould bid him speed. But all in vain would be your appeal, for swift must be the craft that can come up with Black Bart now. And desperate indeed must be the man who would dispute his right to tread these decks''
 hope you are enjoying yourself" said Helena seornfully Don't be sil1y.''
 &s'Wil you have tea, Helena p asked
 Poor, dear NIT. Davidsoni'' sniffed Aunt Lucinda. taking a glance out of the port into the black night. -.T won der where he is and what he will say,
 'sI can tell you what he will say, my f1s, a-5 TNr,<- would rather not''
 Well. I'll tell you what T say,'' snorted Aunt Lucinda T think this joke has gone far enough. s
 :It is no joke, madam. was never. 90 desperately in earnest in all my 1ife.''s
 Then put us ashore at Baton Rouge.
 q cannot. I shall not.'' Wbat dc you mean z DO you know what this looks like, the way you are acting, running off with MT. David sons yacht and this''-
 ssYes, madam ?''
 s.Why, it's robbery, and it,s-it.s- why, it's abduction too. You ought to know the law''
 T do know the law. It is piracy. Have we not told you that resistance would be worse than useless2 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 T should prove un- able to restrain -them! And. have care not to offend Black Bart the Ayenger himself! If you do, Aunt Lu- cinda, he may cut off your evening champagne"
 heard sudden suppressed sound, wondrous like a giggle, but when I turned Helena was sitting there as sober as Portia, albeit thought her eyes suspiciously bright.
 We'll 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 1t to intrude on two women in this way. We will hold barley tomorrow after break fast.''
 t.sWhy not at breakfastg'
 Because we shall eat alone here auntie and Tin our cabin
 s.sVery well, then, if it seems you are so bitter against the new commander Of the ship that you will not sit at the
 
 time we went to Europe together, we three<don't you remember, Helena ?''
 ..Never-at your table, sir!' said Helena Emory, her voice like a stab. And when 1 bethought me what that had meant before now, that it would mean all my life, if this woman might never sit at board of mine. for one instant I felt the cold thrust of fate's steel. But the next instant a new manner of feeling took it's place, an emotion I never had felt toward her before-anger, rage.
 ..It is well,' said I, pulling together the best I 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 kuntil you learn better way of speech with me"
 Again I saw that same sudden change on her face. surprise, almost fright, and I swear she shrank from me as though in terror, her hand plucking at Aunt Lucfnda's sleeve, whereas all Aunt Lucinda could do was to pluck at her niece's sleeve in turn
 ''As to the barley, then," said l, pulling, by mistake, my mask from my pocket instead of my kerchief, i've shall hold it tomorrow, at what time and in what place I please. It ill be seems a gentleman to pain one so fair. as we may again remark; but, by heav- en, Helena, no resistanceY
 ''Wait! What do you really mean?" She raised a hand. i've told you I just can't understand all this. al ways thought you were a-a-gentle- man.
 (To Be Contin n2ed.1