The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-04-07


being like another certain bit Of parch.
ment OF which Count saohio had
robbed her. As yet she could not de
cipher the torn haltlegible screed.
How came she by Il, and why? She
herself could scarcely have told whv
she had paused TO take II from tLt
pocket Of the dead sailor IN the cav.
ern when. Just before their night. she
had b~ethought herself that possibly he
bore upon his person some proof Of
ais identity, Thus far she had o
had time TO look At the soiled and
crumpled BIT. She concealed il ow-
In her mind the growing suspicion
that providentiaily she might have
boon put in possession Of the other
,1'. - the torn paper which SachiO
had COVct.l' ,ha mad ceased 90 won.
der at fortunes capglccs now and sooH
indeed all thought OF this torn Darch
ment was banished from her mind
She forgot that possibly II 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 q trihe OF
hsr s~elf.respect by the donninE 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.
I'm not going to England, said she
I'm not going to America. I'm going
back to 0retEhOffen. till my work IL
done! Surely they will put us down
AT that port-it is as near as m
Then-we shall see.I
An hour later she returned 10 the
deck to make her duties to her most
more completely-little as she had
been impressed by his personality OF
his conduct. which later she was ready
10 stigmatize as odlous.
She met Count Frederick. much i'm
proved by a change TO a well-htting
suit Of iannels which he had found
He smiled now happily at seeing her
You're looking ripping, mademoi.
selle!" said he. II did not see you
have that frock. on the island yondcr.'
Nor did / notice that your trousers
we're so we'll pressed therel" retorted
she.
At this moment wyndham Joined
them. Il a just saying to Mr..
Wyndham," said Count Frederick,
that we owed him a 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. | swear. | saw II
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.
erick. and finding herself there, won.
dered why she had done 30. Once
more she was alone. at the mercy of
men. There was not another woman
on this boat. But now, II II came TO
a choice, she knew which OF these two
men she would elect as her protector.
Count Frederick made some excuse
and departed presently, so that Kitty
found herself alone with Wyndham.
She liked little enough the ardor OF
the gaze which he bent upon her now,
and arose to leave him.
You will excuse me-" said she. Il
have forgotten something"
But as she turned she heard him
stride suddenly toward her, felt his
hand upon her arm.
mo, mol" said he. "Wait-why do
you go? Finding you here-such a
wOmAn-saving your life and all that
do you think | am a man OF stone
do you think"
Il think you must excuse me" said
Kitty Gray, iciiy.
But you just said you owed q debt
Of gratitude"
That any woman rescued from a
peril owes to any gentleman"
oh. ] say. come now" he rejoined.
How about a little kiss to the honest
sailor who was lucky enough to ave
your life! It's far from home or help,
and no n knows say. now"
She sprang from him with a startled
scream a name upon her lips which
came readily enough when she needed
aid.
Count Frederick heard her. He came
at speed-and arrived Just in time to
see Mr.. Wyndham pursuing his amor
Gus advances 20 the extent OF casting
an arIn about Kitty as she would have
ied. The sight vas enough. Without
pausing for any question he Eprang
forward and sent Wyndham Keeling
against the corner OF the cabin with
N swift sweep OF his arm. With the
other arm he pushed Kitty AWAY. An
instant, and he had joined her and was
half carrying her toward the door.
Sudden wrath now seized the soul
of this gentleman lately atuned to soft.