A fateful Abduction.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume IX, Issue 89, 16 February 1905, Page 2

A fateful Abduction.

(copyright. T

~?7fsr-

By WAY AGNES FLEMING,

Author of "A Wonderful Woman,/-' -"Jharing Her Crime"' "Mauda Percy's Secret,"- "A Wife's Jragcdy,"- Etc., Etc

PART 7 S ichafter xir,: TSii KOYER CHIEF. For %, few moments profound .stillness reigned throughout the old Moor Manor. Kate stood in the deep darkness, listening attentively, but no sound broke the profound stillness. Suddenly the tramp of a heavy footstep broke upon her ear, and a moment later, <she heard the voice Of the eail as he addressed Alice: "Good evening, M'Lss Desmond. I trust I see you better this evening." "I thank you, my lord, I feel very Weak; but otherwise well," answered Alice, faint with apprehension.

"Have you had any intruders since?" he demanded, fixing his eyes sharply on the face of Alice.

Miss Desmond hesitated, but Janie took upon herself to answer. " "No, we have had no intrudersf that's true, anyway, thought Janie), "everybody thinks the old place is deserted, when they see no light." "I did not ask you—please hold your tongue until you are spoken to," said the earl harshly; then turning to Alice, he added, in a softer tone: "I trust I shall be able to take you from this dreary place very soon; in the meantime, I will do everything I can to make you comfortable. Put in more wood, John, I intend to stay all night." "He intends to stny all might, does he," , thought Kate; "a pleasant prospect for me, if I have to stay in this cold dark place until morning. I wonder what sort of a place I have got into? As I have nothing else to do, I will go on an exploring expedition and see." As we have before remarked, Kate Sidney wus descended from a race of warriors; and the heroic blood of her forefathers hud descended to her unadulterated. Fear was ia sensation she never felt; and so she hesitated not a moment in an act that might make many who pass for brave, shrink; for it requires considerable moral, as well as physical courage to explore a deserted old house alone, after night—one, too, bearing so terrible a reputation as did the old Moor Manor. Kate turned for the purpose of putting her resolution into practice, and endeavored to peer through the thick darkness. Gradually her eyes grew more accustomed to the gloom, and she saw that she was in a sort of a long hall, that seemed to lead to the interior. „.,,/.., Feeling hex way wit h her. M nd JLi!2. ng tne~wail. sne approached auobr at the. end of the hall, which she strove to open. This, with some difficulty, she succeeded in doing; and entering, she found herself in a high, lofty room, exactly similar to the one which she had left. Proceeding cautiously, step by step—for all was still profoundly dark—Kate discovered, to her surprise, a staircase at the farther end, that seemd to lead down to rooms below. Here, for the first time, the hesitated a moment; but curiosity overpowering her every other feeling, she slowly and carefully began to descend. The stairs seemed to her interminable; Mid at length, with a feeling of thanksgiving, she found herself at the bottom, and in another long, gloomy hall. Again she hesitated, and was half inclined to turn back; but ashamed to yield to the strange feeling of dread that was creeping over her, she essayed to recover her self-possession, and exclaimed, half aloud: "What nonsense it is to be afraid! I have gone so far without danger, and now I wall not turn back until I find out all about this queer old place. Perhaps I shall never have the chance again—so I will see where this hall leads to!" Suiting the action to the word, Kate Started forward, when a sudden noise behind her made her start, and turning round in nlmrai. Nothing was to be seen, however, and quieting her fears with the thought that " 'twas only the wind," she cautiously advanced. Again she heaird the noise behind her; this time she could not be mistaken; it sounded like a footstep. Wild with terror, and scarcely knowing what she did, Kate fled like lightning down the long hall, when her foot caught in a large ring fastened in the floor, and with a piercing shriek, she fell headlong to the ground. Before she could rise, two hands, icycoid, were placed over her mouth; while a long, shrill, peculiar whistle sounded behind her, waking a thousand dismal echoes through the dreary rooms. Stupefied wiitih horror, Kate, was unable to either move or utter the least Bound; while, as the echoes died away, all became again profoundly still, the two icy-cold hands still holding her fast. Gradually part of the floor beside her seemed moving away, and Kate soon saw that she had tripped over the ring of a trap-door. The door was raised from below; and still immovable with terror, she beheld a man standing on the steps, holding a lantern in his hand, which he raiised aloft to penetrate the darkness. Kate thought she had never beheld so brutal a looking face—half buried in hrge, black, bushy whiskers; and a deadly feeling of sickness came over her as she thought into what hands she might fall. She lifted her head and gazed at her captor, who was younger and not so ferocious looking as the other; but there was an evil light in his eyes, and a fierce, sinister expression in his countenance, that made her shrink from him with a shudder of loathing. Her presentiment of danger was fulfilled. The old Moor Manor was then inhabited—into wihose hands had she fallen!—did her uncle know these fiercelooking men were here? : With lightning-like rapidity these thoughts flashed through Kate's mind, and with these came back the lofty fortitude that for a moment had deserted her. Now she was certain she had fallen Into the hands of villains, her fearless nature was again calm. She would have risen, but her captor"held her fast. ■■'• "Hello, Simon! who's this?" said the ijujtam on the stairs, fixing his evil eyes on ■Kate. '[ "A orisoner, I've captured. Come, get

out of that, and let us down. Here, my pretty wench, will you walk, or shall' we carry you down stairs?" said the gruff voice of her captor. "I will walk!" sa4d Kate, shrinking from his outstretched hand with a shudder of disgust. "All right; that'll siive trouble. I like to see a spunk. Down with you!" said the man, with an insolent leer, that made Kate's eyed flash fiercely, though she did not reply. Knowing that resistance would be madness, and that it was in vain to call for help, Kate, compresvsed he* lips firmly, and turned to descend the) stairs. Her captor followed her, drawing the trap-door after him. while the other still preceded them with the light.. They then passed .through several jgloomy, vaulted rooms, from the heavy, earthly smell of which Kate concluded stye was underground. The wet, slimy, green walls were dripping with moisture-t-while horrible vermin, with which cfld houses are infested, werit crawling over the floor in all directions, scared a'Kfay by the light.

Kate shuddered with horrpr, as she gazed around; and shrieked rtlovid, as.a bat—that evil bird of nighitf-flew by, flapping Fits wings in her fac£. "Curse tfhe baits!" said the |man, called Simon, in a tone so fierce, that Kate trembled aind hurried on fastjer after her guide.

At length the vaulted passages were left behiud, they again pas>ted down a few steps, arid entered what anight once have been a dungeon, when, the noise and uproar of a carousal fe'ifl upon the ears of tin* tcyrified Kate. The guide advanced, ohiu opening a dpor at the farther end a iWze of light for a moment nearly blhAded her—berjig so long accustomed to darkness—.while the sounds of jinglisg glasses., oaths, songs, and bursts of Juoanse laughter, mingled together in wild nproar. Kate drew baelcsick wish horror,as she beheld the fearful! den she had entered; but the man Simoa gave; her little time to hesitate. Seizing: her roughly by the arm, he forced her forward until she entered the room wh«}retl|e carousal was at its height. As the ejfes of the men fell on her every voice • was hushed in surprise; and all turnelS to Simon, as if seeking an explanation. ( Kate raised her head, iand ventured to glance around. The room was like all the others in the old mjanor—high and lefty—with stone, walls, fLyor, and ceiling. A huge fire glowed and roared in an enormous fire-place, and *>:idered everything around as clear asj at noonday. Rougfh slab benches were i;anged around the walls, and formed its*' only article of furniture. A long tablje, extending from one end of the room (to the other, stood in the middle of the floor, covered with bottles, glasses, jars, and steaming pitchers of hot water. Around this was seated nearly thirty men—a fierce, dark, blood-thirstydloofcing crew—from whose nautical air Kate at once knew them to be sailors. All were arnfied With pistols and daggdrs stuck in th.fcir belts; and, oh! the feeling of sickenitag terror that made Kate stagger against the wall as the dreadful conyrietion that she had fallen into a den of pirates or smugglers forced itself on her mind. At the head of the board stood an elevated seat, empty now, but whicjh seemed evidently designed for some on,e of higher rank than the others. The* man Simon cast his eves towards this, then turning to ' ?~ir"- •*■»•«■»• "Where's the captain?" ' '

"Syra came for him a few moments ago," answered a young man, somewhat less savage-looking than his companions. "Shall I go after him?" "No; you needn't mimj; hand me the jar—l'm dying o' thirst. Here's to your good health, my dear," said the man, with another insolent leer towards his prisoner. ••■ * ~i

'Kate's cheek crimsoned, and her flashed fiercely as she drew herself 'up and stood looking with lofty scorn on the savage-looking revellers.

"By George, she's a rum 'nn!" remarked one of the men, with a coarse laugh. "Say, my dear, won't you taste this!" and he held out toward her a brimming goblet of brandy. "Where did you get her, Simon?" inquired half a dozen voices at once.

"Here, Bill, tihe jug's empty—fill it drain!" said Simon without paying any indention to his interrogators, and handing the empty jug across the table. "Go on with your singing, Jack," he added, turning to another; "I'll tell you all übout it when the captain comes."

"Sing us our own song, Jack!" called half a dozen voices together. "Hurrah for the pirate's song!" The man addressed as Jack, a fierce, powerful-looking brigand, drained a glass of brandy; then throwing himself back in his Chair, he sang, 'in a powerful voice: THE PIRATE'S BONG. "To the mast nail our flag—lt Is dark as the srrave, Or the death which lti bears while It sweeps o'er the waveLet our deck clear for action—our guns be prepared: Be the boardlng-axe sharpened, the clmeter bared; Set the canisters ready; and then bring to me", For the last of my duties the powder-room key. It shall never be lowered—the black flag we bear; If the sea be denied U 3, we sweep through the air.

"Unshared we have left our last victory's preyIt Is mine to divide It, and yours to obey. Here are shawls that might suit a sultana's white neck. And pearls that are fair as the arms they will deck: There are flasks which—unseal tbem the air will disclose Diametta's fair summers—the home of the rose . I claim not a portion; I ask but as mine—■Tls to drink, to our victory, one cup of red wine.

"Some fight—'tis for riches: some fight - 'tis for fame: The first I despise, and the last is a name. I flght—'tis for vengeance! I love to see flow, At the stroke of my saber, the life of my foe. [ strike for the memory of long vanished vears— I oniy shed blood where another sheds tears. , , I come as the lightning cornea reu from above. O'er the race that I loathe, to the battle I love."

"Hurrah! hurrah for the pirate's song! Hurrah for the battle we love!" shouted every one present, as wild with excitement and brandy, they arose to their feet and waved their glasses above then heads. "What now, my men? You seem more than usually boisterous this evening,' called a clear, commanding voice at this moment, ns a young man suddenly made his appeararace among them, and took the vacant seat at the head of the table. "Hurrah for Captain Raymond! Long live our rover chief!" shouted the men,

Vis wren one toict, nnnaeuro vj c-vwie-meut. . „ '•Thank volt, my lads. 'Fair as air! shall ever be our motto—the broad ocean our' home—our good swords our law; with no master but strong wine, and no mistress but our gallant bark!" answered the young ro v er chief, with a kindling eye. There was something in his tone that bespoke him different from the rest—a certain air of refinement and cultivation, mingled with a lofty consciousness of command and superiority. Kate, when tha pirates seemed to have almost forgotten, lifted her head and surveyed him earnestly.

In person, he was tall, slight and perfectly symmetrical—with an air of easy grace and dignity that stamped him far above his calling. His countenance, bronzed slightly by exposure to wind and sun, was strikingly handsome, and when he smiled, there was a winning sweetness in his look that impressed Kate deeply. His forehead—high, broad and very wihite —showed how fair his natural complexion was; while his fair hail clustered in short, crisp curls around It. But to Kate, the chief attraction was his eyes—large and "darkly, beautiful blue" —that ever wandered around with a keen, quick, restless glance. His air of quiet superiority showed how perfect his command over his men was, together with the innate consciousness of being their superior. Kate did not wonder how he—the youngest, apparently, of that band—could have become its commander; it was merely the triumph of mind over matter—the triumph of education and refinement over their animal natures.

Kate thought, as she gazed, she had never beheld a more perfect specimen of manly beauty. Handsome, indeed, he was, with "man's best beauty;" but could one who looked to be so perfect 0 gentleman—one of Nature's own princes —be the dreadful pirate-chieftain ol whom she had heaird such fearful stories: —whom she had heard represented as a demon in human form? Could this be the daring, fearless, rover-chief, Captain Raymond ?

Suddenly his eye fell upon Kate who seemed in a fair way of being forgotten by the whole party, and he arose to his feet, with a look of utter amazement. His men followed the direction of his eye, and unaniiniously exclaimed: "Come, Simon, you've to tell us yet how you got the girl. Quick—out with it. man!" "How came this woman here?" de manded the young captain, turning his eyes from one to the other, in complete astonishment.

"Simon Crow brought her here. Tell us how you got her, Simon!" chorused several of the party.

Captain Raymond turned his eyes inquiringly on Simon.

"Well, you see, captain," began the man, "I was, as usual going round up aloft, watching our new lodgers, you know, when I hears, all of a sudden, a great buzz; and a minute after, the door was hauled open, and this wench here was launched clean into the room where I was. I kept dark, thinking she'd stay quietly where she was; but instead of that she starts on a voyage—to see where she'd come out, I suppose, I followed her as softly as possible; but at last she heard me, and hoisting all sail, she scud before the wind; but her foot caught on the trap-door, and sne oame down on her beam-ends. _I tackled, 0n..t0 cL '%-isMMzQir~lack, and we brbugnt her here; so that's all about it." During Simon's explanation, the pirate chJief had kept his eyes fixed on Kate. Then he advanced.toward her, and said, in the courteous tone of a gentleman:

"I sincerely regret this unlucky adventure, madame, as you have probably been greatly alarmed. I must apologize for any rudeness \tiiwt may have been offered to you by any of my men. They are little used to the society of ladies." "So I perceive," said Kate, scornfully; "and the best way for you to atone for their insolence is, to give me my liberty immediately."

'Don't captain!" She wiJl turn informer!" shouted eevry one present, simultaneously.

"Silence!" said the pirate captain, with a sudden flash of his blue eye, and in a tone that made the boldest quail. Every voice was instantaneously hushed; and, as if satisfied at this proof of his power, he turned once more to Kate, and said, with grave courtesy:

"I am sorry it is not in my power to comply with your request. Neither I nor my men would feel .safe in this our retreat afterward. In short, madam, it is my painful duty to announce to you that you must remain with us—at least until such time as this place will be deserted by us." "You have no right to make me your prisoner," said Kate, indignantly, "and I demand my freedom. A brave set of men you must be, to lay in wait to entrap defenseless women. It is an action worthy a band of outlaws." A subdued but fierce murmur ran round the circle at Kate's daring words but no one dared express their anger aloud.

There was a sudden gleam in the young captain's eyes, but he repressed all signs of anger, and said, quietly: "Allow me to set you right, madam. We did not entrap you; yon threw yourself in our power. And," (here he lowered his voice), "let me beg you to use more respectful language when speaking of us. There is a spirit in my men that your words will be apt to arouse, and which I may find it difficult to subdue." Kate felt she had been imprudent; but she deigned him no reply, and stood ns haughtily erect before them as though she had been their queen. "Every comfort in our power will be yours while you are with us," continued the youug captain; "and now, may I ask by what name we aire to address our fair prisoner?" "I am called Kate Sidney, and I come of a family that are not to be insulted thus, with impunity. Perhaps they will one day make you repent this!" said Kate, proudly. Another fierce growl of rage, at this insult to their chief, ran around the table. Every eye was directed toward the fearless girl, who stood proudly erect, looking down haughtily and scornfully on those by whom she was surrounded, and from her to the young chief, who had suddenly grown very pale. This, the only sign of Jhlia emotion, passed in a moment, and he said, calmly: "I have heaird of Miss Sidney's family, and I am convinced from what I have heard of herself, that she will not break a promise if once given. Promise me, then, never to breathe a word of what you have heard and seen here to-night, and you shall the next moment go forth, free as the winds of heaven."

A fierce murmur of disapprobation, lender than before, came from the pirates at this. Captain Raymond turned suddenly round, and fixed his eyes upon them, with ft look which, jn spite of

tnefnselves, 'compelled obedience; and they sulkily relapsed into silence. A slight smile, at this evidence of his power, flitted for a moment across his handsome face, and turning to Kate, he said, with calm courtesy: "I await your answer, Miss Sidney. Will you promisef" "No!" said Kate, scornfuly; "not to save myself from death—much less imprisonment—would I league myself with a band of outlawed rovers. The very moment I am free, that same moment will I give information of your hidingplace, that you may be dealt with as you deserve by the laws you have so long violated. I will consider myself doing an act of justice to the world, to rid it of a band of robbers and murderers!" "Death to the Jezebel!" shouted the pirates, rising to their feet fiercely, and seizing their swords. "Silence!" commanded the rover chief, sternly, drawing a pistol from his belt; "the first man who again presumes to speak, I will shoot down like a dog!"

There was a look of fierce resolution on his face that again made them quail —perhaps they had seen the threat kept before. All slunk silently back to their seats, like whipped curs. "Girl!" he said, turning sternly to Kate, "you seem determined to provoke your death. Once more I ask you, will con promise what I desire, and go forth fe*e?"

"Once again," replied Kate, with grim resolution, "I answer you—no!" "Can nothing induce you to consent? Remember, you may be obliged to stay with us for years," said Captain Raymond.

Kate thought of Alice, and turned j ale; but a resolution once taken by her no power on earth could alter. She therefore looked up steadily in his handsome face, and answered firmly:

"It is all useless, sir—l will never consent; and so soon as I am free, just so soon will I give information against yon. I can promise nothing to such as you!" She glanced scornfully around on the long array of dark, scowling faces, that looked the rage they dare not speak. "Then you must stay with us," said the captain, slowly—almost sorrowfully. "I am sorry to be obliged to retain you a prisoner; but you compel me to do so. For the last time, I ask you again, will you not change your mind?" An angry flash of her eye, and an impatient wave of her hand, was Kate's sole answer.

"Be it so, then," he said calmly, "follow me." Kate moved after him to the farther end of the apartment. Here he touched a spring and a concealed door flew open. He passed through. Kate followed, and the door closed noiselessly between them and the pirate crew. _ ! CHAPTER XIII. .. J SYRA. For a few moments Kate stood gazing around her, scarcely able to credit her senses. The scene itihait here met her eye was so completely different from that she had just left, that it was no wonder she was completely bewildered. Instead of the rough stone floor she had left, she now stood on a rich Turkey carpet; instead of the rude benches she beheld luxurious sofas and ottomans; instead of the damp, bare walls, this room was hung with elegant pictures, while exbeautiful statute . wejcii-grojjm, ed around in every direction. A large and handsome lamp, suspended from the ceiling, lighted up this elegant apartment. A marble-topped center-table stood in the middle of the floor, covered with books, and a mimic fountain of perfumed water stood in another corner, filling the room'with fragrance. Cages filled with bright, foreign birds, whose gorgeous plumage flashed in the light, hung around in various directions. A little staircase of four or five steps was at the end of the apartment, evidently leading to another room, which was concealed from view by two heavy curtains of green velvet. Full-length mirrors were ranged all around, reflecting the room and its inmates in every direction, and bewildering to any one, on suddenly entering, by seeing the countless apartments by which they were surrounded. Kate was absolutely overwhelmed with surprise, and stood gazing, first around her, and then turning to the young captain, half in doubt whether he were not an enchanter, who had suddenly decorated the apartment by his magic skill. He noticed her bewildered look, and a halfsmile broke over his handsome face, as he rang a musical little silver bell that stood on the table.

The summons was answered by a young girl, so beautiful, that Kate stood gazing upon her as one might look on some radiant vision from another world. And yet her beauty was not spiritual, not such as we conceive angels to be. It was a beauty wholly and entirely of this world—of middle height, with an exquisitely proportioned figure, dark, oval face, large, melting, languishing, liquid, jet-black eyes; hair of that rare glossy black so seldom seen, but so very beautiful, hung in soft, wavy tresses, like raveled silk, around her low, polished forehead. The rich flush that gives so much beauty to the brunette glowed on cheek and lip, and every movement was instinct with grace. And yet the large, dark, oriental eyes had in them a look of sleepy wickedness that made Kate draw back; it was as if gazing on a beautiful serpent—she bad forgotten it could sting. The hot blood of the fiery South ran in those veins, it was easy to see.

The young girl came gliding forward, bowed low, then crossing her arms on her bosom, stood with her eyes fixed on the floor, the long, silken, black lashes resting on her crimson cheeks, like dark fringe, waiting until he should speak. "Syra," said the young captain, "you will consider this young lady your msitress while she remains. Let her want for nothing, and remember to treat her with the utmost respect. I will surrender my apartment to her while she remains."

"Captain Raymond shall be obeyed," answered the young girl, quietly, without looking up. "Very good. Adieu for the present, Miss Sidney."

He bowed, and turned away. Syra lifted her dark eyes, and stood watching him until he vanished through the secret door. Then, turning to Kate, she said, in a low, musical voice in which she spoke: "Perhaps you would like to retire, my mistress. If so, I will sttiow'you to your room."

"If you please," said Kate, rising to follow her, and wondering at the little surprise she manifested at her sudden appearance. • Syria led the way toward the short etair-case, drew aside one of the rich curtains, saying, as she did so: "This was Captain Raymond's chamber; but he has resigned it to to^ t If

you wish for anything during the night, please to ring. Kate nodded and entered the chamber. It was furnished almost similarly to the one sbe had left, save that one corner was occupied by a bed, hung around with heavy, daik curtains. Kate threw herself on a couch, and, covering her face with her hands, gave way to the bitter thoughts that came surging through her mind. Now, for the first time, the full loneliness of her situation broke upon her mind. Away, underground, where she could never possibly be discovered, without the slightest chance of escape?—her friends a? ignorant of her fate in the hands of a baud of lawless pirates, poor Kate's fate seemed dark enough. And then Alice — poor, uncomplaining, suffering Aliceshe, too, must remain In the power of the earl, without the chance of being roscude; for it was almost certain the earl would hear of her visit, and then take measures to see that it was not repeated. And so Alice would be left alone, if the servants were taken from her, which Kate felt certain would be the case as soon as what they had done was discovered. Overcome by her own bitter thoughts, Kate's feelings found venf in a passionate flood of tears. Exhausted at length, Kate sat up, and, taking one of the books from the table, strove to read, im order to divert her thoughts. It was an old volume of ballads—quaint, but sweet. As she opened it, her eye fell upon a page marked in pencil, most probably by the hand of the young captain himself. Kate read: --»—»- -""i "Well, well, I say no more, Lot dead caro for dead; Yet woe is me! Therefore liliust attempt to leud One other kynde"bf life , Than hitherto I have: < Or else this pain and strife >. I Will briug me to the grave.". And underneath was writenl "The trees do spring, yet are not seen to growe, A.nd shadows move, althoiign they seem to stay, Tn winter's woe Is burled summer's bliss, And love loves most, when love most secret Is." _ _ Kate sighed, and closing the book, leaned her head upon her hand, and fell to speculating as to what could have reduced one so young, so. handsome, so evidently accomplished, to become the leader of a gang of outlaws. That at some period of his life he had been a gentleman, she felt certain—an indescribable something in his air and mauner convinced her of it. Something, too, she could not account for, drew her forcibly to him, a sort of hazy idea that she had seen him somewhere before, filled her mind—his face seemed familiar like the faces one sees tin dreams; but nothing seemed definite, nothing tangible. And this dark, beautiful girl—who could she be? his sister, perhaps. But a moment's thought convinced her that was simply impossible, besides the dissimilarity of form and feature, his manner of addressing her was more that of a master addressing a servant, than a brother to a sister. Tired at last of speculating, without being able to come to any conclusion, Kate threw herself upon the bed, and in .a few moments was buried in profound slumber, from which she did not wake until late the following morning. A noise by her bedside awoke her, and -pprißgiiig-u.f>-,~e* ( o behe'rSr.iin old, jet-black negress,-standing beside her, holding a waiter with coffee and toast. Kate was for a moment startled by the sight, but a second glance at the old woman's goodhumored ebony countenance reassured her.

"Law, misses! I'se sorry fur tea* 'sturb yer, child," said the old woman, drawing a little table near the bedside, and placing the waiter on it; "but Mar.se Caippeu, he wouldn't guv me no peace, till I'd fetch yer some brekras. Eat away now, honey, you won't get anything to beat dat air coffee."

"Who are you ?" said Kate, quietly.

"Lor', child, I's only old Aunt Moll— I isn't nobody of no kiinsoquince—'spoet yer though I was missis here—he, he, he!" and Aunt Moll indulged in a.gleeful chuckle.

"Who is that handsome young girl I saw here last night? Is she your mistress?" inquired Kate.

"My missis! she! O Lor' ! He, he, he!" oind evidently thinking the question a good joke, Aunt Moll laughed till the tears ran down her fat, shiny, black cheeks. "Why, laws, misses, dat ar was only Syra, my grauddarter, dat's all. She my misses! O Lor'! He, he, he!" "Your granddaughter!" echoed Kate, in surprise. "Is she then only a servant?"

" 'Deed she is—dat's all! She's powerful handsom' dough, m Syra. Lor', musses, we's bin here ebber so long wid young massa Gaippem. 'Deed we is, chile; powerful lonesum 'tis her, 'cept when dem ar rip, staving, terrifying, brandydrinkin' sa-ilors is here. I'd jest 'sign my sitivation long ago, if it wa'n't for young Massa Gappe-n; for dem ar screechin', roarin' set's '.muff to make any 'spec table, ageble old woo man like I is, go right off and heave demsedves away; but young Massa Oappen, he allers says, 'Moll, you poor o!e debbil, yer know we can't do widout yer,' so I jes stays fur to please him; but df dem ar tarrifyin' ole highbinders stays here, I'll jes' *sigu my sitrivation—dar!" Kate smiled, in spite of herself, at the old woman's quaint language, which was almost new to her; ajul her curiosity being aroused to lea,rn further, she inquired: "And may I ask, my good aunty, how you came here first, since I suppose you have not been always with the pirates?" "O Lor'!" said Aunt Moll, sitting clown, and wiping the perspiration off her face; "we done come from a long piece away—from Cuba, if you ever heard tell a place." Kate having signified that she possessed that much geographical knowledge, Aunt Moll conitimied: "We b'longed to an Ole planter, me and Syra. You see, missis, Syra's mother was my darter, an' she wer' a mullatter, powerful handsom', too, she war jes' like Syra. Well, a few years, when Syra was 'bout fourteen, ole massa died, and his misses, she wanted to sell off ail do sarvints, an' de old place. Well, dey put me an' Syra up at auction with the rest, an' I hopin' dey'd sell us bof togedder. But dey didn't. One ole feller got her, an' a sugar planter bought me. Oh, misses, I tought I'd die den; I hadn't nobody in de worl' to love only Syra, an' when I seed theim takin' her off, I jes' caught hold «f her, an' screeched good, I tell yer. Well, misses, a nice 3'oung gentl'en toe up an' axed what was de matter; an' when dey tole him, he jes' said he'd pay whatever dey liked if dey'd sell us. So dey did, and young Massa. Oappen, he brought us here.taught Syra to read, and we's been here ebber eence. 'To be continued.) 921.