The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-05-23

These are two Of my ofiicers-Senor
Gates, one of your own countrymen,
and Manuel Estevan. And now that
l have answered your questions, what
is 1t TO be between us-peace or WARP"
Her eyes dropped, and l could dis
tinctly note the trembling of her slen-
der figures 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 1 pledge you my word, senior,
am I TO ,ljoy the freedom Of this
cabin and the deck?"
EStada looked ut us, a shade of
doubt in his eyes. l made no sign, but
Manuel nodded.
why not?" he asked in his harsh
croak Of a voice. $50 long as we be
at sea? What harm can the girl do?"
perhaps none; l will take a half
chance, at least. You shall have the
freedom Of the cabin. SO long rs 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
of words but of faces. Estada's eyes
sought constantly the girls face, and
to my CONSERVATION exhibited IN 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. l 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 vigil
| lance. His manner became more gra-
| cious, and long before the meal ended
pliment and flatter. l 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 | 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, ]
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 refraning from let
ting the latch catch, thus enjoying q
slight opening through which to both
see and hear Manuel did not linger
long, making some excuse to 20 for
ward, but Estada remained for some
time, endeavoring to entertain. His
egotiSm made a 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 C to retire. This was &C.
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 a 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 60 as she pleases aboard
Estada entered his own stateroom
leaving the door ajar. When he came
out he had exchanged his coat for q
rough jacket. Thus attired for a turn
on deck, he disappeared through the
companion.