The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-12-18

BLOOD
By Rafael Sabafini'
o pArAri. aABATlHi
hpp0r NEA SERVICE NC


wronged, II Is tho frenzy into which
men whip themselves 90 Justify an
evil passion, l must have known
then, II | had not already learnt Il,
Al last II came, slowly, deliberately.
the unapcakablo things attributed 20
Peter Blood. Yesterday had hls
own explanation OF that tale OF lie.
vasseur that you hoard in 81. Nlch.
olns. Aud now this this but
gives me confirmation OF his truth
and worth. To n sooundrel such ns
| was too readily brought TO believe
him. the act OF which you have Just
told me would have been impossible"
"rhat Is my own opinion" said
his lordshlp gently.
IT must DO. hut even II Il were
not. that would now weigh for moth.
ing, What wcighs-oh. no heavily
and blttcrly--ls tho thought that but
for tho words In which yesterday
repelled him. he might have been
saved. II only l could have spoken
TO him again before he went | wait.
ed for him: but my uncle was with
him. and ! had no suspicion that he
was going away again. Aud now he
is lost--haok at his outlawry and
piracy, In which ultimately he will
DO taken and destroyed. And tho
fault Is mine--mlneg'
what arc you sayingg Tho only
agents were your uncle's hostility
and his own ohs,inacy which would
not study compromise. YOU must
not blame yourself for anything"
She swung 20 him with some I'm.
patience. her eyes aswim in tears.
"You can say that. and In spite Of his
message. which In itself tells how
much was TO hlamei II was my
treatment OF him. the epithcts I cast
az him that drove him. SO much no
has told you. / know Il to be true"
"You have no cause for shame"
said he. AS for your Horrow-why.
II Il win afford you Holacc- you may
s,iil count on mo 20 do what man
can 10 rescue him from this post.
ton"
She caught her breath.
You win do THAR she cried with
sudden eager hopcfulness. You
promlso7" She held out her hand TO
him lnpulslvely. lie took It In both
his own.
II promise" he answered her. And
then. retaining stiii the hand she
had surrendered 20 hlni-"Arabella. :"
he said very gently. ''thero IL sim
this other matter upon which you
have not answered me-"
This other natter" Was ne mad,
she wondered Could any other mat.
ter signify In such n moment.
This matter that concerns myself
and all my future, oh. so very close.
~. This thing that Blood believed.
that prompted him that !.
that you arc not indifferent 10 me. I"
He saw the fair face change color
and grow troubled once more.
indifferent 70 you7" said aho.
why. no. We have been good
friends: wo shall continue 40. hope.
my lord"
"Friendsi Good fr.snas7" He was
between dlsmay and bitterness. IT
Il not your friendship only that I
ask. Arnhcila- You heard what /
said. what I reported. You VIII not
say That Peter Blood was wrong7"
Gently shc sought 10 dlsenTnge her
hand. the trouble in her face lnereas.
Ing. a moment no resisted; then.
realizing what he did. he set her free.
"ArabellaF' he cried on n motto OF
sudden pain.
7 have friendship for you. my
lord. But only friendship"
His castle OF hopes came gathering
down about him. leaving him a little
stunned. As he had said. no was no
coxcomb. Yet there was something
that he did not understand. She con.
fessed friendship. and II was IN his
power to offer her n great position.
one 20 which she. a colonial planters
niece, however wealthy. could never
have nsplred even IN her dreams
This she rejected. yet spoke OF friend.
snip Peter Blood Ind been mistaken.
then. How far had he been mis-.
taken7 Had he been as mistaken In
her feelings towards himself az he
obviously was in her feelings towards
his loriship? In that case His
reflections broke short. To speculate
was 70 wound himself IN vain. He
must know Therefore he asked her
with grim frnnlkness:
rs II Peter Blood7"
Peter Blood7" she echoed. AZ first
she did not understand the purport
Of his question. When understand
Ing came. a flush suffused her face.
II do not know" she said. falter.
ing little.
This was hardly a truthful answer.
For. as II an obscuring veil had sud.
denly been rent that morning. she