A FORTUNATE MISFORTUNE.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7257, 13 March 1889, Page 2

A FORTUNATE MISFORTUNE.

{Concluded.) " That captain is a d——d interfering fellow," he burst forth; but Gydric, even in his intense anxiety, laid a warning hand on his cousin's arm and lifted his eyebrows in distress. His cousin shock him off. " Fd like to know who gave him charge over my father's effects? Would you believe it, Hales, but the d—-d impudent cad refused to let mc into my father's cabin 1" " Well, well," said Mr Hales, soothingly " very annoying, but after all there's n hurry, is there! It's only a matter ot a day or co." " Not it. He tells mc he ie not expecting the agent for a week, and until then nothing on board is to be Interfered with." Cjdiif had been silent and his face was pale. "What do you want in uncle's cabin f he demanded, and suddenly Cecil turned and so did they all. " If you want to know particularly I*ll tell you, ,, he answerd, after a pause, looking Cydric hard In the face as he spoke, '' I want my gun—are you satisfied f Cydric was not satisfied, though, he knew that the gun was locked up in that cabin. "My father gave it mc, as Gydric can estify, but unless I can get it now I never will," Cecil went on angrily; " but Fll get it yet, in spite of the old fool." The trunks were being placed high up on:the beach to wait for the Haleadale dray, and then Cydric mounting once more rode off with Harriet, leaving the others to follow. He was very silent, and Harriet felt inclined to be silent, too; for she had understood what the little scene on the beach meant, coming so soon after Cydric's confidences to her. It was impossible not to doubt the motives of each a man as Cecil Houghton; morose, sQent> and inscrutable as he seemed in Harriet's eyes; if these qualities were not enoagh in themselves temake her doubt him, hi ß manner on the beach would, have been reason enough. The ride home was a quiet one, and the rest of the day was spent by Cydric In riding with Mr Hales over the run? whilst Cecil and Jim Moore lounged in and out of the dining roomFinally came afternoon tea at which they all met. Cydric seemed to hare forgotten his trouble,, when, at a little after four, and just as Harriet had taken tea in the drawing-room, he and Mr Hales rode Into the them, she went oat on to the verandah, and had.the pleasure of beholding Cydric striding across the paddock, with his saddle on his head, and his bridle hanging over his arm in imitation of her father, who walked beside him. Cydric felt glad, somehow, to see

fc hat tall straight figure on the watch for him, and be nodded in spite of the saddle, whilst Harriet, thinking that ahe had never Men co handsome a fellow, went in Tery happily, and began pouring oat tea for Jim Moon. Now Moore had been observant on this day, and it seemed to him as if young Houghton was taking a gooddealmoreaponhimeeU than necessary Helesdale. Harriet had opened doors for herself ever since he, Moore, conld remember, and there was no reason why she shouldn't go on with it. He could hare understood the thing better if Harriet had been an old lady, he might even have opened the door himself In the* case, but Harriet was not an old lady, and there had been some tomfooling nonsense OTer the handle, which had disgusted Mr Jim Moore's sense of what was proper in a girL However, if Harriet liked having the door opened and shut for her, he was not going to stick at that, so when Harriet came along the hall to the drawing-room, she found Moore holding the door wide open, and looking as much at home as Cydric had done when he tried to lift his hat from under the saddle. But Harriet had no idea of what Moore was doing, holding the door, and waiting for her. " Do you want more bread and butter I s she asked anxiously, as she hurried up to him, "whydid you not ask Ann for it, Mr Moore T "There's plenty of bread and butter. t-.hn.nb- you," called out Cecil, and he smiled almost for the first time since he landed. Harriet being now at the table, and B*** n ß anxiously into the tea-pot, and at the bread and butter plate, Moore closed the door and came and sat down. " The others have just come in," Harriet said. " They will be ready for some tea I expect. Will you have another cup Mr Hooghtonf " "No, thanks," said CeciL "I am not much of a tea drinker." " You won't say that in a year or two if you stay in New Zealand," remarked Jim Moore. "We drink tea three times a day out here." " We'll see," said Cecil grimly. " I may take to something stronger." But steps were heard in the hall, and the door opening, Cydiic and Mr Hales c ame in rubbing their hands from the cold and eager for tea and bread and butter or anything that would satisfy the appetite raised by their ride in the cold wind. " Hough ton is anxious to have a look at your place," said Mr Hales to Moore, who not liking to light his pipe in the drawingroom and having drunk his tea, was sitting in a straight backed chair with his hands stiffly planted in his pockets as being the most easy and natural position obtainable in this " jimcrack " room, as he named it. " You'd better come over to-morrow then," he answered. " 111 be glad to show both these gentlemen over the place." This was agreed to, and then sounds of cracking of wips being heard and " Who a Billy. Get up, Olympia," and so on I coming in at the distant hall door. Mr Hales announced that the recovered trunks were close at hand. Cydric hurried away, followed by his cousin, and the party broke up, for Harriet remembered many neglected duties which had to be attended to, and Mr Hales wanted Jim Moore to look at an imported bull just arrived. The next few days at Halesdale were spent in different fashion by all the party* Mr Hales went round the run with hi 9 usual regularity.learinghis visitors to do as they pleased. Cecil Houghton put off going to town as he had meant to at first, and went every day to the wreck. He made friends in some degree with Moore and spent one or two nights at PukehoeMoore's station, but he did not lessen in his surliness or become any more pleasing in Harriet's sight as he prolonged his stay at Halesdale. He was so different to his cousin, who had never wanted any thawing, and who, during this last week, had been so much thrown on her hands for .entertaining. Cydric could not ride'/ every' day with Mr Hales, and he did not want either to visit the Hespia quite as often as Cecil did; so the poor fellow had to be content with what Harriet could do for him, and he became so domesticated in a da; or two that he was just as often found in the kitchen watching her make pastry or ironine collars—his collars too—as anywhere else. But this state of affairs did not last long, it was suddenly broken up, quite unexpectedly, by Harriet, who one morning came down to breakfast looking very wide awake and startled. Cydric and her father were alone in the dining-room, and as her father was reading a paper he did not notice anything unusual, but Cydric, having nothing else to do, looked at Harriet, and, seeing that something was amiss, was about to make some hurried enquiry, when a quick little frown of command silenced him just as his cousin and Jim Moore walked in from the garden. " 100 two fellows have been smoking," Cydric eaid, " you ought to be ashamed of yourselves, at this time, too." Cecil smiled, but took his cup of tea without answering, and breakfast was gone through very silently, though Harriet every now and then brought out a sudden little remark on some topic no one was interested in, and to which n° one but Cydric attempted an answer, Cecil simply sipping his tea and staring moodily out of the window, evidently without interest for anything but his own thoughts. Moore, too, seemed pre occupied, every now and then almost putting down his fork in a fib of meditation. Breakfast over and the dining-room emptied of all the occupants excepting Cydric and Harriet, Harriet at once began. " Mr Houghton," she said in a low, eager voice. " I have something to tell you." " Well," said Cydric, unconsciously imitating her tones, " What ? " " I dare not tell you here, I am afraid," and she glanced anxiously at the door and stopped. " Will you catch Tim for mc at ten, and we will go and meet father on the ran. lean explain better then than now, I am so afraid of being heard," her voice dropped suddenly, as Cecil passed the window with a cigar in his mouth. Cydric was now in a state of wild curiosity, conjuring all kinds of fearful posslblltles, but Harriet went off to the kitchen and for the first time forbade him to follow. "For I can't really do anything, you know, when yon are there," she said, more in her natural voice. "Well, ril saunter over to Tim's paddock and give him a good brash down, I'm bubbling over with curiosity, Miss Hales." Harriet looked distressed, and shaking her head in rather a lugubrious way she left him. At 10 o'clock they were oft, and the instant they were outside the home gate, Cydric began. " Now, Miss Hales," he said peremptorily, "lam not a Job, and I can bear this no longer, What is it?' "I overheard your cousin and Jim Moore talking this morning, they were just under my window." "WeU," said Cydric impatiently, for Harriet stopped. '■Oh well, I don't see that it will do any good telling you," ahe said suddenly, "I believe father would have been best after aIL" This was such an unexpected remark, and, to Cydric, socrael, that he had nothing to say to it. He dropped his eyeglass, and drew in his veins, and replied after a panne. "Shall we canter T This question was asked In a tone which Harriet had not the pleasure of hearing her friend use, and it had its effect; it made her reconsider her half determination Instead of gathering her reins up likel wise, she turned a very astonished and disturbed face full .upon Cydric "Are you cross r she asked abruptly.

" Cross t" replied Cydric in surprised tones, " I hope not, Miss Hales." "Oh, goodness! then why do you want to canter just when I am going to tell you about—about what I heard. ,, "I beg your pardon," answered Cydrle at once. •• I was a little pat out, I don't know why you should not think yon can trust mc." "Well, I will tell yon. I heard them both talking, and I heard yon' cousin ask Jim Moore to row him to the Hespia to-night." ••The—yon did r cried Cydric, his blu e eyes flashing. " Didn't I tell you he'd stick at nothing ; he means to get the wilL" " Yes," said Harriet, " but he said he meant to get his gun, else Jim would never go with him, I am sure." " No, I believe Moore Is an upright sort of fellow." "Father says he is the best fellow he knows along the coast," remarked Harriet, " and he would trust him with anything. I'm awfully fond of Jim, too, and I couldn't bear to think he would do anything mean." "Oh, of course not," replied Cydric coldly. "It is fortunate for him that he is so faultless in your eyes." "Oh, he isn't faultless," and Harriet laughed, " not by any means, but the giver of Timothy is not to be disparaged in the presence of Timothy's mistress." Cydric gave one scathing look at the prancing Tim. " I did not know you and Mr Moore were on such terms," he said shortly. " What terms I" demanded Harriett. "Well," said Cydric, "at home, as far as my experience goes, ladies do not receive gifts from a gentleman unless— —" " That's got nothing to do with it, Mr Houghton," Harriet interrupted angrily " and I think we had better be going home if you're going to talk in that way, besides," more good naturedly. "we haven't planned anything about our attack, yo a know." " Yes, I do know," Cydric answered in moody tones, " but it doesn't matter much now what becomes of anything." " Goodness 1" exclaimed Harriet, " what fort "then, as he did not answer, "don , ' talk like that, Mr Houghton, but listen to mc." " I will," he said more cheerfully, warm ing to the subject, "but, Miss Hales what a fool he was to say it all under your window." "He did not say much, and it was only as they passed. I heard him say, * Then you'll row mc to the schooner,' and Jim said,' Yes, but let it be after 12, when the tide is out.'" " Well, then f " said Cydric. " Well, then, as they went past your cousin said he would get his gun even i< he were Imprisoned for It." " And he will," said Cydric grimly, " un. less I can prevent him." Harriet drew Timothy up. "Now listen to mc, Mr Houghton," she said in a breathless voice, as if she were trying to keep something down, " if you mean to do anything rash I will go at once to father and tell him everything." " I will do nothing at all unless you wish it," answered Cydric instantly and frankly, " but surely, Miss Hales, you sympathise with mc in the risk I run of losing every thing. I must expect nothing from Cecil If he can destroy that wilL I know him well enough not to doubt that he will do so if he gets the chance." " I don't want you to quarrel with him,'' Harriet answered, " but of course I don't want him to get the will." " Well I won't quarrel with him," said Cydric, " as I don't think that would be of much use, but so far I can only see one thing to be done. I must get the will first." " Either that or warn the two men in charge to keep a good watch to-night." " To-night P cried Cydric, " will they try to-night r " Yes, I think so, it is so calm and the tide dead low at two o'clock." "Then to-night I shall make my attempt," said Cydric, " only like the little piggy I wiU go to the turnip field a little earlier than the wolf." " And I," said Harriet, in a firm steady voice, " will go with you, unless you refuse to take mc, when I go straight to father and——" Cydric gazed. " You !" he said at last, " what can you mean, Miss Hales f " I mean what I say," she answered, " I can row, perhaps, far better than you, Mr Houghton. This afternoon we will ride to the beach to look for frost fish, for the moon is up at six, you know | Judd's dingy is beached and we can borrow it without leave; we must then row off to the schooner and—oh! Mr Houghton,! wish you wouldn't." The alteration in Harriet's voice, from steady resolve to desperate pleading, made Cydric smile. •• Do you think I will let you do such a rash thing ?" he answered, " out in a boat unknown to Mr Hales. To be sure there is no possible danger." It was evident that though he wa horrified at the idea of Harriet going with him, yet there was something pleasant as well as horrible in the thought; he could not go alone and he disliked the idea of bringing Jenkins to go with him, putting himself in Jenkins* power as it were* After all, Cydric was over-ruled, not because he wished to be, but because he could not refuse Harriet or object to her doing what he saw she was determined on. The rest of the ride was spent in planning their expedition, must it be confessed, with as much pleasurable excitement an the idea of a moonlight row, the risk of being caught, and the procuring of the will was likely to give them. "You are both mad," said Mr Hales, 'but you may do what you like, Harry; and if you bring mc back a frost fish and don't catch cold I shall say no more about it, only don't be out later than eight , ' " There'll be no fish by that time," said Moore: and Harriet almost jumped when he spoke, so afraid was she that he might offer to go with them. "Then we'll dig for pipis," she answered quickly, " and get Judd to catch us some crayfish." Cydric appeared with the horses, and in a few momenta they had ridden off. "I am afraid it is a mad expedition," Cydric said, " and I don't feel at all happy when I fchinfe- of you, Hales." Harriet smiled. "Weare only going to row over to the schooner and back," she eaid, reassuringly, "there is scarcely anything to be afraid of in that; besides it doesn't seem to mc that you had much hand in my going; but, Mr Houghton, why do you not want father to knowf* " And Cecil be strayed ? Never if I can help it; I don't blame him, Miss Hales, no, not as much as you do for what he means to attempt to-night. I have known him all my life, and though he is a dare-devil in most things, still he has always been a good fellow to mc. I would do a good deal to prevent him committing such a serious wrong, if only for his own sake and if the thing came out I should feel that I had it to answer for." " But he will attempt it to-night in spite ofns." "Yes; but he won't get the will," answered Cydric They were now flying along the beach, and Harriet had as much as she could do to hold Timothy back, " Let's see now," she said, when she had him well in hand," we are to go to Judd's on the chance of finding one of the men there, and as an excuse for oar visit ask him for a crayfish t" " Yes," said Cydric," and then we come bade to the schooner, and go off in the dingy to pay an eveningeall to the Hespia; we will go on board, and the mate, no doubt being glad to see us, will ask ust° step up, and offer to show yon over the ship. I then cope with old Saunderson and get into my uncle's cabin as well as L can."

"Yes," sighed Harriet, as he finished speaking, " but don't you run any risk, please, Mr Houghton." " I'll try not to," said Cydrie,ln an assured voice. " I don't want to be had up b*. fore a magistrate." It was a glorious night, the moon gleamed on the water, for it was now past six o'clock. Harriet's face looked pale by its light. The sea wae quiet, the breakers coming in steadily and with a low, swishing moan as they frothed ove r the sand. They passed the Hespia and saw lights on board. Cydric shivered. "The cold is penetrating," he said, pulling up hi 9 coat collar with his teeth. " Are you a good sailor, Miss Hales?" •Tin not to be daunted by this sea," she answered brightly, " I don't think we wil l bother about a frost-flsh." Judd's shanty looked warmly Inviting as they cantered tip and caw through the window a blazing fire, and Judd with his family at tea. The old man came out when he heard the horses' hoofs and stood at his door. "Good evening, Judd," said Harriet, " we are looking for frost fish, but as we can not And any I thought you could let us have some crayfish Instead. ,, " This Isn't the time for frost flsh, Miss," Judd answered with a grin; "but I can give you a conple of very fine crayfish. * netted over fifty this morning." "Very well," said Harriet!," can you lend us a basket to carry them in ?" Judd went inside, and after awhile came out with the crayfish. " We're thinking of rowing over to the wreck," Cydrio remarked, as he took the basket, "there is so little sea on, and it's not often Miss Hales will get such a chance." „ "Well, I wouldn't, sir, if I was you, Judd answered, "you won't be let on board, the men have strict orders not to let anyone on her, and they won't neither > they're both grumpy sort o* chaps, and the Maoris have been prowling about the last day or two, and it's not improved their tempers—besides it's a chilly night. , ' "Well," eald Harriet, "good night, Judd." " Good-night Miss," and they were away. "Sowe're not to get on board," said Cydric, holding the agitated basket at arm's length. " But Z wish you had not been so fortunate in your purchase; Miss Hales, these monsters of the deep excite rather creepy sensations in my arm." "Whatare you going to dot" asked Harriet abruptly. "I'm going to board the Hespia," he answered. " And I will keep the boat for you," she said quickly, " and if you are caught, Mr Houghton, I will promise to row back alone. You will ccc that I am capable o* doing it." Cydric said nothing; he was torn with different feelings, he knew that he ought not to allow Harriet to go, and yet he knew he would let her, and that he could not help himself, for her will was as a wall against his own, and being young and pleasantly excited at the prospect of his adventure, he could not deny her the like pleasure, in accompanying him. They reached the shore opposite the Hespia at about 7 o'clock, and already the new moon had almost gone. The dingy lay beached all ready for them, and Into it Cydric threw the crayfish: he then tethered the horses to a huge log lying up. on the edge of the sand hills, and then the two together—for Harriet had tied her long skirt well up ont of the wet sand— pushed the little boat down into the water* Cydric now made Harriet seat herself in the stern. "You will get your feet wet," he said, " and though you may endanger your life for my sake, you shall not get your feet wet." Harriet laughed, but did not refuse, though it made it harder work for Cydric to get .the boat out into the water, —but he did it at last and sprang in at the bows as she slowly went off on the top of a wave. Harriet seized the rudder as they climbed over two or three big rollers out on to the calm sea. The moon now being downi the oars dipped up millions of phosphori, 'or it had now grown very dark, and only by its lights could they have found the Hespia. She was quite close, so close, and the night so calm, that Cydric trembled every time the rowlocks creaked or the water dripped from his oar. But there were no signs of any one on deck, and Cydric saw lights from the captain's cabin. "They are having tea," he whispered. " Then after that they'll hay a smoke, and after that they'll go to bed. "When will you go on board V Harriet asked with a beating heart, " and where shall I steer to?" " To her bows, lie well under them, and I can climb up with the lift of the swell and the help of a rope or two." They went gently and carefully round the Hespia, but if the mate and bis. comrade had not been shut up in the captain's cabin, and intent on their own conversation, the dip of the oars must have been heard. However, "fortune favours the brave," and in a few momenta Cydric drew in his oar and caught a rope hanging from the bows. " Listen, Miss H ales," he whispered, "I will go up at once, they will most probably sit over their supper for ten minutes more, any way I'll chance it, and while they are there I can get easily to the saloon. Can you get round to the stem and wait for mc there ? You're less likely to be seen, and if you go at once you won't be heard. I'll let myself down by a rope out of the stern, port holes, and by doing this I won't have to pass the cap* tain's cabin more than once." Harriet nodded. She could not answer Cydric was happily unconscious of this' He was all hopeful, full of the spirit of adventure, whilst she trembled with terror and the nervous apprehension of his being caught. Cydric now caught tight hold of his rope, and Harriet was amazed to see how easily and quickly he half drew and half swung himself up to the bows and out of sight. With trembling hands she took the para and carefully pulled, out from the schooner, going very slowly and watch* ing the lights from, the captain's cabin with dread, fearing every moment to see the doors thrown open, and the light stream forth. But nothing happened, and in* few momenta aha pulled inaopinto the stern to wait there. Cydric got safely on beard and silently crept past the lighted cabin, along tbedec k towards the companion way; then he paused and looked around ; the light was steady, but he knew that at any moment they might come oat. He hesitated and then crept slowly back towards the cabin, keeping himself as much in the dark as possible. As he drew near he could hear voices, and he knew that at any rate he was not being watched. Then approach* ing the window he raised himsel cautiously and looked In, there the two sat at the table smoking. Cydric's heart felt lighter and In an instant he was on his way back to the stain. The fates were propitious. He felt secure at least five minutes at least from Interruption. Pass* ing his own cabin door he turned the handle of his uncle's. It was locked. Cydric felt a cold chill ran through himWhat a fool he was not to have been prepared for this, he must now go back to Harriet having failed. Suddenly he turned with an eager face to hia own. door, that was open and Cydrio, with a bounding heart, went in. He had remembered, what evidently the captain had forgotten when he locked the one and left the other open, that these two cabins had folding doors between them, a convenience sometimes found in the old sailing ships for families travelling together. Cydrio knew that he could not move the elide without some. noUe, but he tneeeeded better than h e Tiad hoped, and In a short time stood In bis tmele's cabin. Bat now a light was necessary. Harriet, from her boat, aaw i*

suddenly stream forth over the water and her heart stopped beating. Cydrlo now I drew oat a huge bunch of keys which I Harriet had given him hoping that one I might fit the large trunk where he knew • his ancle's writing desk was sure to be t found. One by one the keys were tried I and one by one they were slipped along the f ring as they were either too large or too 1 small, and Cydrio began to falter again I and his breath came quickly as he conteni- f plated failure. Again a thought struck f him, and leaving the trunk he begatf I searching the cabin which, since bis uncle'a ! death, had not been touched; yes, there !- in one of the trousers pockets hanging ' I against the cabin wall, were the old maa'a &• keys. Cydric grasped them and had just | fitted the right key into the locs when—-. ¥ "By George! sir, what's that light « I coming from a port hole?' came frota I just above Cydrio's head—he had been so ' intent in his search that hie ears had I heard nothing. In an instant his light; 1 wa? out. "Well I'm jiggered if it alnfi I gone out I" wa9 tbe response to thl $ precaution, " I hope nothing's on flrf I down there, sir." | " We'll go and have a look any way,- I answered the mate, and Cydric's haij 1 stood on end. But he had not quite lost t his wits, for as their steps were he&rd I clattering down the iron stairs he gtatly I but quickly closed the sliding doors, &&d I breathed again. " This aide, sir, and from I this port hole I fancy," and the two mea f stopped at his own cabin door, the light I they held came glimmering in through the cracks, and he did his best to live without \ breathing for a few moments. A faiad smell of bad tobacco and a growl or two from his old friend the mate, and they walked not away, but to his uncle's door ; a nd turned the handle. "Ohl I forgot I this blooming thing was locked," remarked the.mate. " Alnt you got the key f asked the man. Cydrio gasped. "No; the captain took it with him, he said he could not feel sure about that ' Cecil Houghton; he knew he was up I to some dodge trying to get at his father's trunks and that—especially when thej quarrelled like cat and dog." They passed on, the immediate dange was over, but good heavens I crap. ; pose they should happen to leak ! out of one of the stern port holes! Cydric felt in this moment the rashness of his attempt and its probable effect on the brave girl who was waiting for him. H* * stood by the folding doors ready to burst forth the instant he heard Harriet's voice and in that moment he realized that h< was ready to die for her. Fortunately for Cydric this tragic end was not as yet necessary ; the steps and voices came back from the search, and the two men clattered up the stairs again. But now he must finish his work without a light'; the key was turned, the box opened and V there on the very top lay the desk. Again f the keys were tried and again Cydric waa ! successful. The will was in his hands. A I throb of relief went through him as he re. 1 placed the desk, first locking it, then the trunk. His object was gained, and if h a could only drop from the saloon port holes all would be safe, they wonld be home in two hours or less and his future prospects secured against the machinations of hi* I cousin. Cydrio slid back the folding doors and I stepped out; there was not a sound. H | closed it once more and waited. Nothing j was heard; evidently the men were elthez i in bed or back In the captain's cabin. j " Harriet," he whispered, leaning from a port hole, " are you there, dearest Harriett his voice trembled with anxiety. "Yes,l am here," Harriet answered with a little sob, " Oh, do be quick." "Yes, 1 wiU," said Cydric fervently " yon are a brick, Harriet." "Well, I wish you would be quiet and > come away—those awful men—," her vole* broke. -~-. Cydric hastily tied his rope, securing ' . both ends inside the port hole. He felt for I the. will to be sure it was safe*: then squeeaing himself through he let himself down by the double rope. But Oydrie'' difficulties were not yet over, he bad mU calculated the distance from the port hole to the water and made a mistake in the length of his rope. He soon found himself at the end of it with a drop of seven i9ts or so to the dingy; he waited a moment and hung dangling over Harriet who saw his difficulty as quickly as he did hlmeelf j both were speechless, horror-stricken, j hopeless. Harriet stood up, "I cannot reach you," she murmured in a despairing .voice. "Oh I Cydric, I can't even touch your boots." "I can't hang like this for more than [five minutes," answered Cydric, "Tea ' afraid it's all up, Harriet." "You had better get backT she whispered. " I daren't," he answered, " I see ft Ugh* coming *f". This Was truly awful! . " Can't you drop V she asked. " I should make such a noise." "Then what is to be done I" " Heaven knows. Anyway you had bete* leave mc." ■■ ■ -.-■ . -. ■ : '■■ <■■;'■>. ' " Leave you V she answered in despair* "Oh I don't ask mc to do that, drop Into the boat and we will perhaps get away before they discover us; d#&* Cydric," her voice trembled imploringly. " Never, and you must, you shall Jteaw mc, we will never meet again, for even if* do escape I would not face your f&tftf? after this unpardonable act, he could nob forgive mc. But Harriet, dearest Harriet, before you go, Before I am disgraced for 1 ever, tell mc that you love mc." ' ; „ " I do, I do," sobbed Harriet, forgetting precautionary measures and gazing with streamingeyes at her lover's boots, "better than anyone else in the world, Cfdrfft* "Hashl" said yydrie. "don't talk go loud. Oh I heavens, my arms are giving Harriet. I may call you Harriet maytffc IF*" "You've been doing it all staßfe" Harriet sighed out mournfully* v "Well It's pretty certain I wont do» much longer. Good heavens, I mttsfenH In a moment," then suddenly **fchese coming," he gagped In a tragic whfepe?, "and so am I j look ont 1" ... He fell with a loud cr*sh Into the «»*, and instantly voices were heard. Harriet seized the oars and rowed wildly, from the stern, while Cydrle sprang to hie feet, j " They will be after nain a moment, we shall never get to the shore before thisn, and he wae going to iwW, leave mc, Harriet,' , but recounted fllM|**' in time. ' L " Suddenly Harriet stopped rowing, awl turned the boat round once more towards * the Hespia—they were about twenty"J**B e from the schooner—the next minute* «fee was standing up fall In the Hgbt-efrOe lantern that flashed from the stern. " Cooee 1" she called in her fresh yooag roiee. "Cooee, ehipahoyT - " Hollo there," growled the mate in n» deep tones, "what do you wautr herer i Then seeing that It was a woman aWMJ young one too, he ejaculated. "Good Lord, Miss Hales 1" . «• Yes," answered Harriet with m laegn that rippled over the water and up to. the mate," Mr Houghton and I are ba*fßß» moonlight row; we borrowed *!»$« dingy, and have brought you over *&"&* of fine crayfish." , ,*«rr«i " Well, I hope yoa.woa'fc catchcolaVa" B *. except for that It's* glorious, night tsx * The dingy was now alongside the Hespl and Cydric held the basket up to therfiate, ]j? who took It. ■ ~ __„- / "Good evening, sir," said he, wear nlsing and smiling. "It is a gl«£ ott * night, Miss. Thank yon for the crayflsfl, though I don't suppose ia ac niadeyoufeelinelinedforarow. , ' *'X "Perhaps not," answered Harriet. j " Good-night," and away went tt» dingy -t% into the darkness. ;, I - ; -;"' '■■,•". ■ : •'Tβ* Esn, "'.':""'l, I