The Elbert County tribune., 1916-03-10
ure. chat II had any value. Only, cu.


being like another certain bit of parch-
ment of which Count Sachio had
robbed her. AS yet she could not de-
cipher the torn half-legible screed.
How came she by it, and why? She
herself could scarcely have told why
she had paused to take 1t from the
pocket Of the dead sailor in the cav
ern when, Just before their fight, she
had bethought herself that possibly he
bore upon his person some proof of
his identity. Thus far she had not
had tine to look at the soiled and
crumpled bit. She concealed 1t now
in her mind the growing suspicion
that providentially she might have
been put in possession of the other
half of the torn paper which Sachio
had coveted, She had ceased to won
der at fortunes caprices now and soon
indeed all thought of this torn parch-
ment was banished from her mind.
She forgot that possibly IL 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 trifie of
her selfrespect 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.
I'm 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-fttingt
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 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 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 l who am the
debtor. swear. 1 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
erick. and finding herself there. won
dered why she had done so, Once
more she was alone, at the mercy of
men. There was not another woman
on 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
| 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, moi" said he. "Wait-why do
you go? Finding you here-such
woman-saving your life and all that
do you think am man of stone
| do you Think"
| 81 think you must excuse me-" said
Kitty Gray, icily.
| But you just said you owed n debt
of gratitude
THAT any woman rescued from a
peril owes to any gentleman"
| "Oh, say, come now," he rejoined.
How about little kiss to the honest
sailor who was lucky enough to save
your life! It's far from home or help.
and no one knows-I 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 to the extent of casting
an arrn about Kitty as she would have
fed. The sight was enough. Without
pausing for any question he sprang
| N
against the corner of the cabin with
one 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.