davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16
CHAPTER XVII.
A Murder on Board.

To be certain of free space / extend.
ed one hand and my fingers came into
unexpected contact with the back of
chair. Without moving my body
grasped this welcome weapon of de-
Tense and swung it above my head
Whoever the invader creeping upon
us might prove to be, he was certain
" an, enemy, actuated by some foul
purpose, and no doubt armed. To
strike him down as quickly and silent.
~ as possible was therefore the plain
duty of the moment. I had no other
thought.
The slowneSs with which he CROPPED
his way forward indicated unfamiliar
ity with the apartment, although his
direct advance proclaimed some spe
cial purpose. Clearly he had no fear
of attack. 1 could determine almost
his exact position as his advancing
foot felt cautiously along the deck.
He came forward inch by inch. ]
measured the distance as indicated by
faint, shutting sounds.
could not see but / knew. With all
my force struck! Blindly as it had
been delivered the blow hit fair; there
was a thud, an inarticulate groan, and
the fall of a body upon the floor-be-
yond that nothing. I waited breath
lessly listening for the slightest move
ment. / felt Dorothy touch my shout
der and caught the sound Of her voice
trembling at my ear.
"What is it? What did you do?"
81 struck him with a chair; he lies
there on the deck. Wait where you
are.'
/ bent over and touched him. The
fellow lay in heap with no percep-
tible heartbeat, no semblance of
breathing. My fingers sought his face,
and could scarcely suppress a cry of
surpriSe-he was not Estada. Who,
then, was he? What could have been
his purpose in thus invading this
stateroom? All / could grasp was the
fact that the fellow was not the Por-
tuguese-he possessed smooth face,
long hair, and was a much smaller
man. dragged the body where the
light illumination from the after port
fell directly on the upturned face. The
features revealed were unfamiliar
those unQuestionably of a half-breed
Indian. Dorothy crossed to my side,
her foot striking knife, which came
glimmering into the narrow range Of
light. She stared In horror at the
ugly weapon. and then at the CHASTITY
eountenance.
HE came to murder! See, his knife
lies there. Why should hB h9pe sought
10 KIN maT'
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16

'sWhy not?' he asked in his harsh
sroak of voice $50 long as we be
At sea? What harm can the girl do?"
Perhaps none; / will take a half
chance, at least. You shall have the
freedom of the cabin. So long as you
keep your word, while as to the deck,
we will consider that later. Prove you
mean what you say by joining US
here.'
My recollection of that meal is not
sought constantly the girls face, and
to my CONSERVATION exhibited an in
terest in her personality which prom
ised trouble. ] know MT whether she
noticed this awakening admiration,
but she certainly played her part with
quiet modeSty. I believe that even
the Portuguese reached the conclusion
that she was not altogether regretful
for this adventure and that it was safe
for him to relax some degree of vigi-
lance. His manner became more gra-
cious. and long before the meal ended
pliment and fiatter. contented my
self with occasional sentences. The
young woman sat directly across from
me, our words overheard by all, and
as / knew both men possessed some
slight knowledge of English I dare not
venture beyond commonplace CONVEX
sation in that tongue. With quick wit
she took her cue from me, so that
nothing passed between US, either by
word of mouth or glance Of eye, to
arouse suspicious.
Believing the feeling Of confidence
would be increased by such action, l
was first to leave the table, and it be-
ing my watch below Immediately re-
tired to my room, noisily closing the
door after me, yet refraining from let
ting the latch c&tch, thus enjoying q
slight opening through which to both
see and hear. Manuel did not linger
long, making some excuse to go for
ward, but Estada remained for some
time, endeavOring to entertain. His
egOtiSm made q fool of the man, yet
even he finally became discouraged of
making her comprehend his meaning,
and lapsed into a silence which gave
her an excuse to retire. This was ac-
complished so graciously as to leave
no sting, the fellow actually accom-
panying her to the door of her state
room, bowling his compliments as she
disappeared within. The fool actu-
ally believed he had made conquest
and preened himself like a turkey
cock.
"Gunsaules, you need not lock the
senorita in her room or guard her in
any way hereafter. She is permitted
to come and go as she pleases aboard"
Estada entered his own stateroom,
leaving the door ajar. When he came
out he had exchanged his coat for a
rough jacket. Thus attired for turn
on deck, he disappeared through the
companion.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16

man has been murdered, knitted. Who
did it-and why?"
He could scarcely answer, gripping
at the table for support, and never re-
moving his gaze from the face of the
dead man. Yet believed his words
was convinced this was not the terror
of guilt.
my God! cannot tell; / have.
never dreamed Of this"
Had the man enemies. Anyone
you would suspect?"
Enemies? Ay, plenty of them; we
all have. We expect that in our
trade. This ship is full of devils ready
enough to do such a job; but could
not name the ore who did do It. I
know Of no cause. / have heard moth
ing"
II believe you, Levere," I said.
"What can we do senor?"
do! We must talk that over first.
We cannot meet this thing until we
are prepared. There is more danger
in hasty action than anything else."
shut the door behind us and turned
the key. 1t was a relief to get out
side, even into that dismal cabin, be-
yond view of Estada's dead face. Lee
We're, who had evidently lost his nerve.
sank into chair
you fear an uprising, mutiny?''
| questioned, when this is reportedY'
What will PREVENT" he asked.
'The captain cannot stir; the mate is
dead; the men already crazed because
we take no prizes. They will murder
us also and take control. Those devils
amidships"
And who leads them2 Who would
be captain?"
Manuel Estevan," he whispered.
Il thought as much. Then it is
Manuel Estevan we must secure first
before they know. Whatever his
men may know of what has occurred
they will make no move until they get
his orders. We must stop the posi-
bility of his issuing any. Without
leader the advantage is ours"
"You mean to kill him?''
"Only as last resort There is no
good feeling between those quartered
amidships and the crew."
mo, senior; it is hate generally, al
though they are not all alike. The
real sailors are mostly captured men:
they serve to save their lives, and
only for these others on board could
not be held long. Your plan, senior,
Is to set the one against the other?'
Eyes, if possible. These sailor men
are of all races. Can they be trustedY
"Some might be, sir; it is hard to
tell how many. 1t is not the race
which counts SO much, senior. There
are those among them who would not
care to return to honesty"
"And you, LeVere?"
he spread his hands and shrugged
his shoulders. @There is NO hope Of
me; I was born TO the free lifO."
ssvRtgt .sSn D It with pour
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16
CHAPTER XVI.
In Dorothy's stateroonn.

I stood crouched, with eye at the
crack watchful of every movement in
the lighted cabin, my own decision
made. l must see and talk with Dor
Otny. Gunsaules turned down the light
and departed along the passage lead
ing amidships. A moment later
heard the sound of dishes grinding to-
gether preparatory to being washed.
No better opportunity for action was
likely to occur, although the situation
was not without peril. crept along
close to the side walls, lifted the latch
hoiselessly, and slipped quickly within.
There was no light, except glimmer
of stars through a large after port,
but against this faint radiance she
stood vaguely revealed. Her first
thought must have been Estada, for
there was startled note in her chal-
lenge.
"Who are you? Why do you come
here?"
Speak low" cautioned. "You
must know my voice."
''Geoffry Carlyle!"
Eyes, but do not use that name-an
hope depends on my remaining I'M
known. You welcome mel"
She came straight forward through
the dim star shine, a spectral figure,
with both hands outStretched.
welcome !" her tone that Of intense
sincerity. "Your presence gives me
all the strength / have. But for you
/ should throw myself through that
port into the sea. But / know not
how you came here-tell me, you are
not one of these wretches?"
mo; you must believe that first Of
all, and trust me-"
ST do-but-but tell me all you can"
'IS there a divan here, or anywhere
we can sit down together? / can see
nothing in this darkness"
eyes; hold my hand while I guide
you; we can sit here"
1t was couch of some kind against
the outer wall. She did not release
her grasp, seemingly gaining courage
from this physical contact, and my fin
gers closed warmly over her own"
Nov, please" breathlessly, ''how Is
it possible you are aboard this YES
Sel-an officer?"
/ told her the strange story, as
swiftly and simply as possible, speak
Ing scarcely above a whisper, feeling
as progressed that / related a dream
rather than series of facts. It
seemed to me she could scarcely be ex-
pected to believe the truth of what /
said, and yet she did, almost unques-
doningly, the clasp of her fingers per-
ceptibly Tightening as I proceeded.
She sat SO close beside me that I
could feel her breath upon my cheek.
"Why, Tiff you had not told me
this yourself could hardly believe
such a tale" she exclaimed. "Yet It
must be true, miraculous as it seems.
But what Is 20 be the ending? Have
you any plan Of eecapeT'
Hardly plan. i have had no op-
portunity even to learn the true ma
lure Of the crew. Watkins fs an hon.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16

cit is all mystery" admitted.
What shall be done with the body?
It cannot be left lying exposed here;
no one would believe you killed him,
and my presence must not be suspect
ell"
"Copld it." she suggested, be
dropped through the port?''
She shrank back from touching the
inaninate figure, yet it required the
combined efforts of both to force the
stiffening body through the portfolio.
We could distinguish footsteps on the
deck above, but these were regular
and undisturbed-the slow promenade
from rail to rail of the officer on
watch. Clearly nothing had been
heard or seen to awaken suspicion.
eff you should be questioned tomor-
row you had best know nothing"
said gravely. 81 do not think you will
be, for surely an attack can be no plan
of EStada's. 1t could gain no advan-
tage. The fellow was pillaging on his
own account; if he is missed it will
be supposed he fell overheard, and no
one will care. You are not afraid to
remain here alone?"
"No; / am not greatly frightened,
but shall try and bar the door with a
chair. / have no key"
'Then I'll leave you; half of my
watch below must be gone by now. I'll
take the fellows knife along, as it
must not be found here"
We parted with a clasp of hands, as
I opened the stateroom door and
slipped out into the cabin. To my sur
prise the light over the table had
been extinguished, rendering the cabin
so black had to actually feel my way
forward. The lantern must have been
put out since then by some confed-
crate. After a moment of hesitation
l found my way across to my own
stateroom and pressed open the door.
The hilt of the knife in my belt at
tracted my attention, and | drew it
forth, curious to learn if it bore any
mark of ownership. My eyes were in
stantly attracted to a dark stain on
both hilt and blade. held it to the
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16

and Manuel Estevan. And now that
have answered your questions, what
is it to be between us-peace or WARP"
Her eyes dropped, and 1 could dis
tinctly note the trembling of her slen-
der figure. When She slowly raised
her glance once more it rested on my
face as though seeking approval, guild
ance.
IF there be only the one choice"
she said quietly. 81 accept peace. I
cannot live locked in that room alone
haunted by my thoughts and memo
ries. If l pledge you my word, senor
am l to enjoy the freedom of this
cabin and the deckT'
Estada looked at us, q shade Of
doubt in his eyes. / made mo Sign, but
Manuel nodded.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16

AHu you VIII uOC IOSO IdlIu IN 1uG &
she questioned earnestly. ut will not
lower your belief in my womanhood?"
Nothing could do that. Mistress
Dorothy, / want you to realize the
depth of my interest and respect. Your
friendliness has meant much to me,
and | would never urge you to lower
your ideals. But we must face this
situation as it is. We possess but two
weapons of defense-deceit or force.
A resort to the latter is at present i'm
possible. / cannot conceive that you
are lowering yourself in any way by
using the power you possess to escape
violence"
"The power possessw
"YeS-beauty and wit. These are
your weapons, and most effective ones.
You can play with Estada and defeat
him-temporarily, at least. I confess
there is danger in such game-he is
wild beast, and his evil nature may
overcome his discretion. Take this
pistol. Keep it hidden about your per-
son, but use it only when all else fails.
You retain faith in me?"
Implicitly"
"And pledge yourself to your part,
leaving me to attend to mine?"
Her two hands clasped my fingers,
her eyes uplifted.
"Geoffry Carlyle, I have always be-
lieved in you, and now, after the sac
rifice you have made to serve me I
can refuse you nothing you ask.
will endeavor to accomplish all you
require of me. God knows how I hate
the task; but-but will do my best.
Only-only," her voice sank, ''if-if
the beast lays hands on me he-he
pays the price. I could not do other
wise. Geoffry CARLYLE am Fair
fax"
Satisfied with my mission and conf
dent nothing more need be said, I
arose to my feet.
''Then we can DO nothing further
until I learn the disposition of the
crew." said quietly. "Estada is not
likely to resort to extreme measures
at present. That is why I believe you
are comparatively safe nOw-his own
position of command is in the ball
ance."
II will see you again?"
perhaps not here; it is too danger
Gus; but 1 will find means to commu-
nicate with you. Good-by."
We stood with hands clasped in the
darkness. / thought she was going
to speak again, but the words failed
to come. Then suddenly, silently the
door opened mere crack, letting in a
CLEAN of yellow light from the main
cabin, while the crouching figure of a
man, like gliding shadow slipped
through the aperture, closing the door
behind him as softly as he had opened
it. I heard her catch her breath and
felt her hands grasp my sleeve, but ]
never stirred.
Who could he be? What might be
the purpose of his entrance? But one
answer occurred to me-PedrO Estada,
driven by unbridled passions to attack
the girl. I thrust her behind me, and
took a step forward, with body poised
for action. was unarmed, but cared
little for that in the swift desire to
come to hand grips with the brute. /
could hear him now, slowly and eau
tiously feeling his way toward us
through the darkness.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
A New Conspiracy.

The interior of the cabin appeared
desolate in the gray light of dawn.
led the way directly to Estada'S
stateroom. My heart pounded like
hammer as l raped on the wooden
panels and waited some response from
within. There was no answer, no
sound of movement, and l raped
again more loudly, my questioning eyes
seeking LeVere's face. He was listen
ing as intently as myself.
''There is something wrong, senor,"
he whispered, "for he was ever light
sleeper"
The door was unlocked, the latch
yielding instantly to the hand, and
stepped within. A glance told every
thing. Estada lay in his bunk, with
one leg dangling outside, and his head
crooked against the side wall. His
very posture was that of sudden death,
even had it not been pictured by the
CHASTITY face, and the dark pool Of
blood underneath. heard an excla-
nation from LIE We're and stood for an
instant utterly unable to move. I
knew already what should find, yet
finally forced myself forward-he was
stone dead, pierced with three knife
thrusts. 1 stood up and faced the
mulatto, whose countenance was fairly
green with horror.
"What do you know0about this, Sc
nor LeVere?" 1 asked sternly. ''The
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16

GUS game, / admit, and a disagreeable
one, but the case requires desperate
remedies"
She lifted her eyes, searching my
face through the dim light.
"Geoffry Carlyle" she said at last,
a tremOr in the low voice. "there Is
no sacrifice would not N ke to pre-
serve my honor. hate this man;
dread his touch; shrink from con-
tact with him as I would from q
snake. but I am not going to refuse
to do my part. II you sag this u
right and justified I VIA cUnaeut.~
II believe It ia
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16
"Ha answer nothing senior"

"He answer nothing, senior"
"The swine" said LeVere, II sup
pose I'll have to go myself
"We'll go down together, senor," ]
said quietly. "Estada must be sick;
/ could hear the rumpus Armada
kicked up even on deck here. No man
could sleep through that racket"
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20
Keep Your Eyes Open or
You'll Have Them Opened
AID EXPERTS EXPOSE
MAIL ORDER FAKERS

NEW YORK. N. Y, June IL
Oh this is the day
We give sugar away,
If you buy our unknown tea
Such might well be the refrain of
the fake grocery mail order houses,
says bulletin from the Associated
Advertising Clubs of the World
which has recently made some in
vestigation Of the methods of such
\concerns. To make all the prices on
their so-called "cut price" list look
low, they will cut the price of sugar,
or some well known soap, or some
other article of known value, then
make it up by selling something else,
such as a bulk tea of unknown value.
at price that will make the whole
operation pay a profit
Ii is well TO bear two things in
mind says the bulletin. First, be-
ware of the man who offers you a
staple product like sugar at a price
several cents below the price at the
refinery. He will make it up in some
thing else
Second, no business man will give
his goods away, nor lose money on q
staple article which does not go out
of style and which is good until used,
like sugar. He is not a philanthrop-
list. He will make up his loss
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20
Church
First Methodist Church

The pastor will be acting superin-
tendent of Sunday school in the alb
sence of the regular superintendent.
On time all the way through
IL a. MFRS. Hargrove, one of
the best known workers of our
church, will be heard This should
mean a full house, regardless of the
hot weather
Evening hour at the Airdome. If
it rains, in the basement of the First
Methodist church If the evening is
even gloomy and threatening meet at
the church. First Methodist pastor
will preach. Subject, "A Dying Mans
Advice to His Son"
James H. Felts, Pastor.
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20
DEATH on Mrs. MecLANAHAN

DEATH OF MRS. McCLANAHAN.
Mrs. Lula McClanahan, wife of the
late Mr.. Tom Mechanism, died at
her home, 1903 Main street, Friday
morning at 1890 o'clock.
Mrs. McClanahan suffered a stroke
of apoplexy at the grave of her dear
friend, Mrs. F. X Austin, Wednesday
just as the casket was being lowered
into the grave. She was hurried home
and her condition grew gradually
worse until the end came Friday
morning.
Deceased had lived in Columbus a
long number of years She was a
sister-in-law Of Mayor d. S. McClan-
ahan and is survived by one brother,
Mr.. Alex. Darter. Her husband pre-
coded her to the grave in 1914.
Funeral services were held yester-
day afternoon at o'clock at her late
residence, conducted by Rev. Mott,
minister of the Christian church In
terment occurred at Friendship GEM
etery.
The following pall-bearers official
ed: Messrs. w. N. Pickett, NJ C.
Vandiver, Claude Neyman, T. NJ Pull
len, J. B. Williams and J. A. Per-
kerson.
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20
Chat Of People an6
Events

pageants, she has written a number
of children's plays, and is winning
laurels as a writer of short stories
Compliment to Mrs. Bernard Har-.
wood of Tuscaloosa.
Mrs. Willis Banks was hostess al
a beautiful bridge party on the after
noon of Thursday, an occasion ar
ranged in graceful compliment to her
house guest, Mrs. Bernard Harwood
of Tuscaloosa Exquisite decorations
were featured in the home, with pink
and white crepe myrtle attractively
combined in the floral setting of
living room and dining room, and
these flowers, always suggestive of
old-fashiOned gardens, used with the
additional color tone of deep blue n.y.
drangeas in the hall.
Dainty chiffon fans were the tro-
phies of the afternoon awarded the
guest of honor, Mrs. Harwood, and
Mrs. S. B. Street, Jr. A delicious meat
course with sandwiches and iced tea
was enjoyed after the games.
The guest list included: Mrs Har-
wood, Mrs. Sanford, Mrs. Reuben
Banks, Mrs. George Sherman, Mrs
Simpson, Mrs. Albert Herring, Sr.,
Mrs. Edward Kennedy, Mrs. Hugh
Hairston, Mrs. Woodward, Mrs. Sam
Tate, of Brooksville, Mrs. Eunice
Campbell, Mrs. Arthur Stansell, Mrs.
Leonard Brooks, Mrs. ]. w. Carr, Mrs.
Lee Game, Mrs. Leighton Lide, Mrs.
Catchings Baird, Mrs. H. M. Pratt,
Mrs. William Burris, Mrs. w. C.
Watson, Mrs. F. P. Phillips, Mrs. Tay-
lor Henry, Mrs Eugene Beard, Miss
Marx.
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20
sHoMER FoR Mss BROwNLER.

SHOWER FOR MISS BROwNLEE.
A shower was given for Miss
Jennie Lee Brownlee Thursday after
noon at the home of Mrs r. c..
Mobiles. Misses Sanders rendered a
vocal selection and then was a reci-
tation by Miss Blaneh Robinson.
There was a flower contest and Miss
Jennie Lee Brownlee won the prize.
Little Virginia Halbert acted as
Cupid and brought in a huge basket
of gifts for the bride-to-be. About
twenty-five guests were present
and a very enjoyable afternoon was
spent
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20

the affair soon took the form of a
neighborhood barbecue and dinner,
and good friends gathered from ev-
cry quarter to enjoy the occasion a
fine barbecue was furnished and a
royal basket dinner was enjoyed with
it. Several from this city attended.
among them being Rev + +. Gregory
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20
First Christian Church.

Bible school 10 a. m. Prof. j. C.
Meadows superintendent.
IL a. m, subject, Christian Re-
sponsibility"
Young Peoples Christian Endeav-
or at 1880 p. m.
Prayer meeting Wednesday even
ing at O'clock.
Ladies meeting Thursday after
noon with Mrs. w. F. Mott on Second
street, South.
Union services at the Airdome
Sunday evening at $50 o'clock. Ev-
erybody is cordially invited
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20

$3.50 P. NJ. Conducted by the Ladies
Missionary Society
Opening Song
Bible Lesson by the President. Mrs.
j. H. Cox.
Prayer by pastor
Address by Mrs. Hargrove
Everybody invited.
Mrs. T +. Gregory
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20

Among the pretty parties which
have brought welcome to Mrs. Ber-
nard Harwood, of Tuscaloosa, during
her visit to Columbus, was the bridge
at which Mrs. Leighton Lide enter
tanned Friday afternoon, when her
guests were: Mrs. Harwood, Mrs.
Willie Banks, Mrs. Catchings Baird,
Mrs. Frank c. Owen, Mrs. Jesse
Woodward, Mrs. w. D. Sanders, Mrs.
Lee Game and Mrs. Edward Kennedy.
Ferns and zenias were artistically
displayed in all decorative details, and
at the conclusion of games of auction,
a delightful menu of frozen fruit
salad sandwiches and tea was served.
Continued Wednesday,
The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-07-20

MISSIONARY SOCIETY MEET
The Woman's Missionary Society of
the First Methodist church will meet
Tuesday afternoon at o'clock with
Mrs. j. H. johnson. All members
are urged to be present. The meet
ing will be a social one.