, 1926-04-14

me-" my great-uncle protested. ~ was
compelled in the beginning of our nc
quaintance to give her q wrong i'm
preston of my character, and am
extremely DESTROYS to have her good
opinion"
But why is Master Ormerod a cap
tive? Why does he say l am a cap
tive, if"
"You are not a captive returned
my great-uncle. AT least, l say that
under the impression that, as your
fathers daughter and n devout ia
cobite. you would not. whatever your
personal feelings might be, undertake
TO Interfere with our Plans"
81 am wondering are you all mad
she said blankly.
You may well say sol" I exclaimed.
THE truth is this. mistress Master
Murray hath besides his own ships
company a second band of pirates the
which are restless beneath his thumb.
He desired me to be his lieutenant
to help him hold them in restraint,
and"
you restrained them bravely aboard
the Santlsslma Trinidad - she said.
THAT was to save you! !" declared.
"rroth, and I'm saved" she echoed
sarcastlcally.
Eyes, you n your father" said
Murray gravely. colonel O'Donnell
risked everything on this coup of ours.
To protect him twas essential 1t
should be known he was privy
to it. We had the choice of two
lei to that end. One was to sink
the Santlssima Trinidad with all hands
except yourselves. The other was to
arrange to remove the two of YOU In
such fashion as to establish your limo
cence. I I'm free to say the first was
the easiest curse. The dictates of
humanity. however, prevailed.
How he rolled that last sentence.
And what do you know of human
ity that soaked the decks of the San
tissima Trinidad with blood?' she an
swered. You that the Spanlards cite
us n byword for cruelty and wicked
nessl l will not believe a word that
you say. l will not believe any man
here. You are all smlrched with the
same DauneSS.
Peter leaned his great bulk forward
upon the table.
Don't talk no more. you" he com
handed the freshman, "Neen, | talk
Little gal. Bob andt l we don't come
wit Murray because we like to. He
makes MS. ia! He uses us. lie uses
your fat'er. He uses you. But when
we are wit him we do what we can
to take care Of you. It is not goodt
for little gals to be on pirate ships.
Neeni"
He leaned back.
Dots all"
Her blue eyes dwelt seriously upon
his vast, flat face, with its lnsignih-
cant features blobbed here and there.
81 believe YOU she said.
"Stap me-" jeered Murray. "Our
Peter is discovered a squire o. danes
"A preux chevaller. Peter, you ha'
disguised your talents. We must
know more of them"
ia said Peter vacantly.
Mistress O'Donnell rose.
Sir" she addressed ny great
uncle-"you will be excuslng me If
L do not linger for more conversation.
What you do hath no concern with
me. l am very d%lstraught, and my
heart is sick with the black sorrow.
and IL" she swayed n llttle-"I
would lie me down and-9nd-weep."
! slipped from my seat and steadied
her.
Take her to your stateroom, Rob
said my great-uncle. you must
i0Nge with Peter"
lie rose. himself. bowling with the
fine courtesy which became him
| guided her as far as the stateroom
She thanked me family MS /
opened 1t for her, and | was abruptly
impelled To recover her friendship.
what | tried TO tell you wns the
| murmured. the words splitting
from my tongue. Indeed 1t WINS
Peter Corlaer had the right of
IL. We two are no pirates, and NIL
that we ha' done has been Intended to
smooth your way"
There was n wistful light in her
us she lifted them under long,
lashes.
God send you be honest. sir" she
said. IL must walt TO Judge. The
world is gone all twlrly-round. Even
the padre"
She choked bnck n sob.
"You will not misunderstood" she
ended with quiet dignity. III | say
no more that maybe nlrendy ha' said
too much"