Year: 1861

SO will. Where can you raise so vast sum?n


Il the richest noble in the isle of Cuba If all of
my estates make not the sum- l will yet raise it'


"And how can gain it with safety-your harbors
being ever filed with frigates and barks OF war?'


'My order and guarantee of safety to your messen
ger, will be all that you require"


Again the pirate paused; mercy and interest seemed
to be balancing weights with hate and murderous desre
but again the young page spoke to his leader His
words seemed to have effect for the pirate replied to the
conde:


Il will spare your lves but on the failure of your
promise all shall die"


The helpless beings could not do more than trust to
the pirates promise and when he sent boat to the
wreck for them they went board of his vessel with
ont murmur.


Separate not from my daughter" cried the father
he stepped the deck of the prate and the latter
strange it may seem with almost gentle courtesy
replied


you both shall share my cabin. Edyardo see that
these be treated guests rather than as prisoners"


The page to whom the order was given advanced to
Blanca and her father and with gentle bade them
follow him below. The captain and his men were led
to another part OF the vessel yet treated with insult
At the same time the captain bade his crew fill away,
and gave his helmsman course still to the norhward


When Blanca and her father had found themselves in
the cabin of the pirate, they wondered much at the
magnfcence which surrounded them. An immense
lamp of solid gold studded with diamonds hung in the
centre of the apartment the hangngs around the
of velvet embroidered with gold; the carpet was
from the rich looms of Damascus Doors of mahogany
naid with gold, showed where the entrances to
other rooms probably places orrepose and each article
of furniture costly art and b0undlcss wealth
could makeit.


But Blanca scarcely glanced at these; her look was
upon the page whose intervention seemed to have
changed their doom He was tall slightv-but young
man. one whose large soft dark eyes seemed to speak
volumes of sympathy. His features were Spanish and
she knew why vet she seemed feel as if she had
seen him before. His Tone too as he led the fearful
girl to a seat, so kind.


Pear not, lady, when he once gives his promise,
Rinar breaks it," and then when she sighed and
fresh tears fell from her etty eyes, he added q will
pledge my very soul for your safety"


''IIe seems youth too noble for pirate said the
father when he pressed his daughter to his breast the
page having left them alone. y woQld he were the
chief instead Of him whose voice alone is enough to
strike terror to the heart"


And yet sir NOBLE that voice can be tuned to assoft
notes as ever from lovers lips" said the pirate
whose step had not been heard upon the yielding carpet
when he entered


The father started and shuddcred the daughter too
drew closer to his FORM she felt that the eyes of the
cheftain upon her though his yizor still remained
unopened.


''You seem to be frightened with my presence, fair
maiden" =" said he with midcr tone wet there have
been those of thy who were not wont to shudder
when came before them"


NJ
Gus scenes lately, sir and she soon regain her
composme, replied the father, aud then he added


May ask how soon you will give me opportunity to
send for our ransom?"


'In two days if these gales should last shall reach
my palacerock, replied the pirate; when there have
a vessel which under the guisc Of merchantmen may
be dispatched"


Sbe will not have long to wait; my orders shall be
full and pressing" replied the conde.


You seem to be in hurry to dispense with my
hospitality" replied the pirate in tone Of raiery; 81
seldom have guests and | would tain make the few
have feel at ease"


The conde had it on his lips reply that no one could
be at ease in such company but restraining the danger
Gus words, said:


eve thank you, sir for such courtesy, but far
better inclined to be alone"


"Be it as you wish replied the pirate and he arose
somew hat moodily and left the apartment.


The maiden trembled and saw that during this whole
conference the eyes of the chief had been fixed upon
her, and she felt relieved only when he had gone. The
father too troubled; he liked not the of the
chief nor the steady gaze which had been fixed upon
his child he knew that he i'll the power Of this end
and had but his word to depend upon But in the pres
of the young page he felt somehope there seemed
TO be protecting disposition in him. and he hoped for
the best though he feared for the worst.


When the pirate went on deck, he paced to and fro
moodily for trpe aud mgucFed TO himself in i'm
patient tones If all had not gone in way to please
him From his reverie he aroused by the touch Of
his page WHO laid his hand upon his maclad shoulder.
you seem worried my master!' said he.


"Wel what is it to thee, Edvardo, if be so2" said
he steny "thOu hast caused to break again my firm
resolve never to spare human foe"


THAT grey yhaired old man and that fair young girl
could be no foes to thee said the young man.


Look cried the pirate, pointing up to his fearful
flag ''war l not with the whole world?"


"Alasm sighed the youth, 1t is even So


''The lady Angela and young Nina yet i'll the
tyVhp
and fearful vet with different causes.


"Why-why does Rinard tarry long" muttcred
the lady Angela; "time weighs like a mountain my
heart while he abroad your sweet voice, dear
Nina loses It's music and would rather hear the NOAH
ing Of the gale ift but bore him to my side. And why
do love hint is because am but the very slave OF
his will? No not is because the whole world Is at
war with him, and he alone is kind to me- His smiles
are for aloneI alone draw the sweet tones OF
kindness from his soul, while all Others draw from him
notes harsh and discordant. Would that he would
Gomez


The lady passed and sighed The sigh was echoed
from Nina's throbbing bosom.


''Why do you sigh child:" asked the lady, "youlore
not as do T."


''Why do I sigl2" repeated Nina "Ask the chained
eagle why its crest droops and its eyes dim; ask the
broken winged dove which cannot reach its nest why its
mournfu voice is heard-I sigh fcr my home-I sigh
for liberty


''And yet has not Edvardo some claim that has an
answering voice within your hearty?


The young girl bushed and sighed again, but re-
sponded:


''You know lady, that I love him better than all else
upon this rocky sle-yet have before told you that
love the island home from which was torn, that love
my father, mother and brother"


perhaps have father, mother, brother, living;
perhaps they mourn as lost, but know them not,
and while he loves me, while Rirard lives l must be
happy. And yet-but see Chico comes, he may have
tidings for rs"


''Io, Chico, is there sail in sighty'


The black dwarf answered only by an affirmative gcs
ture he spoke not, for he was a mute.


is it thy master? can you yet see his crimson hul
waves his defying banner from her peak?"


The serpent-like eyes of the dwarf sparked brightly
as he again made an affirmative gesture. The lady's
ietty orbs of light too grew brighter and she
from her couch whereon she had been reclining, and
said to her fair companion


"Come to the tower we will 90 up to see the home
ward bound and fling the signals of welcome.
Your Edvardo will look for your forn-my Rinard will


fling his gaze upon that tower and it would sadden his
heart were not there to receive it,


The left the beautiful apartment and after pass
ing through various halls and corridors ascended by
of stone steps the watch tower which overlooked
,he and other islands Here they found sentinel
one of chosen band of six who ever performed the
duty by turns of keeping perpetual watch for the ap
pearance of friend or foe.


''Wherc is the Tessel?-comes he alone, or with