Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-10-21

apple blossoms in the orchards OF
Somerset"
Apple blossomsi" His lord
ships voice shot up like rocket,
and cracked on the word. What
the devil? Apple blossoms!" He
looked at van der Kuylen. The adj
rniral raised his brows and pursed
his heavy lips, His eyes twinkled
humorously in his great face.
"So!" he said. Fiery boedical!"
My lord wheeled fercely upon
Captain Blood
IF you want your past forgotten
and your future assured, this is
your chance. Your duty lies here,
at least for as long as the war lasts.
When the wars over, you may get
back to Somerset and cider or your
native Ireland and its potheen,
but until then you1l make the best
Of Jamaica and rum"
Van der Kuylen exploded into
/ laughter. But Blood remained sol
emn to the point of guinness. His
/ thoughts were on Miss Bishop, who
was somewhere here in this very
house in which they stood, but
whom he had not seen since his ar
rival Had she but shown him
some compassion
And then the rasplng voice Of
Wtlloughby cut in again, upbraid-
ing him for his hesitation, pointing
cut to him his incredible stupidity
ia trihing with such a golden OPP
portunity as this. He stifened and
bowed.
MY lord, you are in the right. 1t
shall be as you wish; and very
gratefully let me assure your lord
ship. l shall know how to earn his
1najesty's appreciation. You may
depend upon my loyal service"
Thus it was settled. Blood's COM
mission was made out and sealed
in the presence of Mallard, the
comman1ant
1--WE sail tomorrow morning." his
lordship announced Blood was
startled.
And Colonel Bishop" he asked.
'He becomes your affair. You
are, now the Governor. You will
deaa with him as you think proper
on his return. Hang him from his
own yardarm. He deserves it"
Isn't the task a trife invidious?"
wondered Blood
Very well. I'll leave a letter for
him hope he'll like it."
Captain Blood took up his duties
at once. With the sanction of Lord
Willoughby he marshalled his buc-
cancers and surrendered to them
fifth Of the captured treasure,
leaving to their choice thereafter
either to depart or to enrol them
selves in the service of King Viii
liam.
A score Of them elected to re-
main, and amongst these were
! Jeremy Pitt, Ogle, and Dyke, whose
| outlawry, Ike Floods, had come to
an end with the downfall OF King
James. They were - saving old
Wolyerstone, who had been left be-
hind at Cartagena--th only sur
Yiyors Of that band of rebels-con-
yict who had left Barbados over
three years ago in the Cinco Llagas.
On the following morning, whilst
van der Kuylen's fleet was making
finally ready for sea, Blood sat IN
the spacious whitewashed room
that was the Governors office,
when Major Mallard brought him
word that Bishops homing squad
ron was in sight.
q am glad he comes before Lord
| Willoughby's departure. The or
ders, Major, are that you place
him under arrest the moment he
steps ashore"
/ Peter Blood sat back in his chair
and stared at the ceiling, frown-
Ing. Came a tap at the door. and an
elderly negro slave presented him
self Would his excellency receive
Miss Bishop? He sat quite still, con-
scious that his pulses were drum
ming In manner wholly unusual
tc them Then quietly he aseented.
He rose when she entered, and if
he was not as pale as she was, 1t
was because his tan dissembled it.
For a moment there was silence be-
tween them, as they stood looking
each at the other. Then she moved
forward and began at last to speak,
haltingly. in an unsteady voice,
amazing in one usually so calm and
deliberate.
81. L.. Major MAllar& has
! just told me ="
Major Mallard exceeded his
duty" said Blood, and because Of
the effort he made to steady his
voice it sounded harsh and unduly
loud you alarm yourself without
reason, Miss Bishop. Whatever
may lie between me and your uncle,
you may be sure that I shall not
follow the example he has set me.
l shall not abuse my position Va
/ prosecute a private vengeance. On
the contrary, shall abuse it TO pro
tect him. Lord Willoughby's rec
concentration to me is that I shall
treat him without mercy. My own
intention is to send him back to his
plantation in Barbados"
She came slowly forward now Il
am glad that you viii do that
Glad. above all, for your own sake"
/ She hold Out her hand To him