Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1921-01-21
q they doing with him?y

ward the Curiew There she saw
her sweetheart in the arms OF sew
eral pirates. He was struggling
desperately. His strength was al
most gone. but he was lighting to
the last Margaret's face gray
paler She gripped her hands
tightly and watched with burning
eyes. Bessie. they are killing
him-he is dying before my eyes.
Oh, Bessie, lie viii not give up"
Harry's strength was almost gone
but lie broke away and leaping oy-
er the railing he jumped into the
Icy water Margaret watched with
terror and cried, Harry, I'm com
ing" AT the sound of her voice
lie rose and stretched out his arms
and with low sob Margaret jun
ped into the water and reached his
arms just then. a large wave
came and washed them away to
gether. Margaret wac only sew
snteen and what she suffered that
night is hard to tell She was go
ing to marry Harry Morgan,
young Engllshman. and they were
geing to make their home in Amer
lea. But, now, they were gone.
They had died together beneath the
ocean.
BessIe saw IT all. for the first
I nrfa nd
Scr cams brought her to herself and
raising her eyes she saw the burn
ing ruins of the Curlew filled with
women and children. Weakly she
rose 10 her feet and clung to the
railing for support She present
Iy was discovered by the captain. lie
stopped short. surprised at her un-
usual beeuty. She was quite a
contras to the full-lipped, dark
haired, black eyed Spanish girls
She looked very pretty there, the
moonlight streaming over her
loug golden hair, white face and
throat and down over her pale-blue
gown. Savage and cruel, yet he
was somewhat softened at the pale
beautiful face. Stepping close TO
her he muttered something in Span
ish. Bessie shook her head and
speaking in English he said. 'oh,
70 you came to me I? can you
dance. little one?" Bessie shook
her head. lie stretched out his
hand; involuntarily she shrank
back. None of that. he cried.
anger returning to his face. Look
lcok at the burning wreck. That's
what happens to anyone who hap
pens TO cross my path,who dares to
rebel or defy me" Hear their
cries," he mocked with a brutal
laugh Just then the voice of Bes-
s;e's mother r9q, atove the ar of
the ocean and the flames. With
low cry Bessie answered ard
fainted again.
Many hours afterward when Bes-
lie awoke she found herself in
long, dark narrow state room. 1t
was filled with dense, peculiar od-
or and the dull gloomy walls ware
covered with cobwebs. The light
was admitted through small port
hole at the end of the room. Weak
and weary she looked about her
wondering absently how she got
there. Then suddenly the terrors
of the night before came back to
her and leaning her aching head on
her arms she sobbed aloud.
Six weeks have passed since that
night ard for six weeks she has
has been living in the pirate ship.
She is very seldom allowed on deck
and many weary hours she spent
alone in that gloomy state room.
She often wonders why the pirates
did net kill her or put to torture
as they have done her fellowmen.
The truth is that the pirate captain
Intended to take her to Spain acd
soil her to some dancing master or
scme noblemen's home MS a serv-
ant or slave, Emt as time goes by
he begins to love her and one even
ing he asked her to marry him.
She was sitting alone in the state
room watching the sun set on the
ripping water through the little
porthole when the captain entered
Bessie knew what he wanted and
shrank from him back into the
corner. Purple with rage he stepped
toward her, You sneaking white
faced sQuaw You insult me to m
face. you spurn me like dog
could kill you" He drew out his
long bone-handled knife. But, at