"A SECRET SORROW."

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8612, 17 March 1897, Page 1

"A SECRET SORROW."

BY MRS MAY AGNES FLEMTNG.

Author of "A Mad Marriage," « Carried By Storm."

CHAPTER XIX.

IN VNIXPBCTED MBBMNS It was a pleasant afternoon, about a week after the event recerded in the last chapter. Since the fatal Bi K ht Kate had carefully shinned the captain, with a feeling almost of loathing. She knew now those mournfnl blue eyes that had so interested her could light upwith the fire of death—that loir, musical voice could shout the death-cry of his victim. There was blood on his hand and death in his heart, and Kate could never feel towards him as she had once felt. I

It was evident tbat he noticadit, but it was equally evident that it troubled him little. There wai an easy indifference— proud, yet .careless—in his manner towards her,' that seem?d to imply that though he felt bonad to treat h«r aa a lady, yet he was perfectly unooncerned as to what she might think of him or his actions.

His days were mostly spent in gating idly over the tide of the vessel, or chatting with his second in command—a young Spaniard, whose sinister look had from tho first made Kate dislike him. As for her, she usually spent her daya in the cabin, sometimes reading, and sometimes thinking of the dear ones at home. Here she had no one to disturb her reflec ions for Syra generally passed the day upon deck, happy to be near the young captain, when her rival, as she considered Kate, was not of sight. Bat at night,lying awake on ker rest* less couch, she would hear a light, firm footstep, pacing up and down the opposite state-room, occupied by Captain Baymond. Sometimes, too, in the clear, moonlight nights, when unable to Bleep, she wou'd bteal on deck, and seating herself under the shadow of some projection, watch the tall, slight figure of the young chief tain, as he paced restlessly up and down the quarter-deck, unconscious of the eyes regarding him. Often, st such times, she wonld catch a glimpse of the shadowy form and wild black eyes of Syra, as she crouched in some corner, watching and waiting with him she loved bo ' vainly and bo well.' Both were waiting and watching for what never came ■ waiting for the son to rise on the dark night of their lires. For, spite of herself at such times, her heart would go out to those two—one wrapped in his hidden grief and remorse aa in a man'le; the other waiting, so sad'y and so patiently, in her deep, earnest love; but both were wailing in vain. The bright hne of health was gradually fading from Syra's dark cheek ; the splendid Syrian eyea wtre fast losing their lustra; a shadow lay on her darkly beautiful face there was a languor in her s'recgth was wasting with tha fierce fire within her passionate heart. Watching her, Km' 9 would think of the words of the poet— 'Love's light has fled from her eye and

cheek, To burn and die in the heart they seek. Alaa! that so often the grave should be The seal of a woman's fidelity ! And the grave was destined to be the seal of Syra's too.

But this pleasant afternoon, Kate bad deserted the cabin for the deck; and, leaning back in her seat, she watched, dreamily, the foam dancing in the sunlight as the brig cut her way rapidly the bight waves.

I ' Sail ho !' called the man at the cross trees, in startling tones., Captain fiaymond, who bad been leaning idly over the side of the brig, smoking a cigar, now sprang into the rigging, and scanned the Horizon in every direction. | 4' I cannot made it out,' he said, hastily.! ' In what direction is it ?' ' Standing to the eastward, air; another merchantman I think.' A feeling of sickness came over Kate, as she* thought that the terrible scene before witnessed was about to be repeated. ' Yes, yes; I can see her plainly now,' said Captain Raymond; sweeping the horison with his glass. ' Yes, she is a merchantman,most decidedly. We seem destined to meeJiio other kind of veisels this cruise, Mr Mondalvi,'he added, turning with a laugh to bis second in command. ■

' A.l the more the rtfore the merrier, Senor Captain,' said Mondalfi, ia his peculiar, sneering roice and strong foreign accent;' our swords ate growing rusty in their loabbards for went of work. 1 ' Call ell bands on deck,' said Captain Raymond. Then turning to Kate, he lifted his bat i and Raid, courteously, but with brief ! *!*>rndesa— : iAs I had some diffioulty in making ■; -. ou go below during the last engagemont, I must prevent your presence on the deck this time ; for, as you see, we ara about to give chase to yonder ship, and an *engngemant will probably take place. Miss Sydney, you will excuse me if I insist on seeing you to your cabin and locking you in. Sailors are proverbially superstitious, and my men consider your presence en the deck daring * 'battle an omen of ill-lack, fie sides scenes of j>!oodshed and death «r hardly fitted for a £ady's gentle eyes.' ' Nor for the eyes of jtny civilized being a,»e each scenes of mHrd*r^t—for it does no t ideserve the name of battje,' Kate wit a spirit—' a gang of outlawed pirates, to the vessels of their bjrn, coun^v, and murder the bravo orews for: defenoHvc them. No! such scenes are hardly .tt'ed for.eirtlized eyes-. 1' His ey <* flashed a«d his face flushed hotly, as L'e °-is Up to keep down his

rising pa«si ">*• . • • You are i V g««fc. Mas« Sidney,' ha said, after a wuse, ' and as .such are privileged to sa **bat you pleaae. But were it a man wh « h*4 «poken thus, rest assured he shoild »*«' "Peak pother, again.' i Kate saw the sti '*»* ha made to/ suppress Irs anger «"* fP« k caWy;: and, somewhat alarmea •* bet impudence! she said, more calmly— „ ; ' Iwill co to »be cabin «J"«tf; jour; eecort thither is quitfjunnt 0U ' may lock the door, if you i »•*••.» ut •• I hare no intention of le« V*€ i(;. tDe trouble will be use'ess.' 11 ihall not look it; Miss Sidx 8^ ord is sacred,' he said, lifting his hat ' p^'itely,, and stepping aside to allow her tc*P*a"« j Kate bowed coldly and haughtily,'- -«nd descended to the cabin, Sjra lay on *he sofa, in a deep s'eeo—that sleep reset «bliag death in its profoundness, for wh. '*n all of her race are so remarkable. Kate siched as she noticed the smooth bro> ▼ contracted, as though in pain, and the

careworn look oa her beautiful features Poor Syra! ahe tared, indeed,' not wiie]y, but «oo well.' Sinking on her knees, Kate buried her face in her hands, to shut out, as it were, eren from herself, the terrible Tision of the approaching coniict. She knew by the orders given, and the sounda on deck that they were rapidly approaching the ship; and, in trembling; erpectation, she waited the opening of the conflict. Thus an hour passed away, every monent dragging on like an age» and then the uproar of the battle commenced. Kate sprang to her feet, with a strong, a'moH uncontrolable impulse to fly on de< k; but the remembrance of her

promise given to the young captain] restrained her. Na urally fnarless, and j come of a brave, high-blooded race, it was with wild excitement that sha paced to and fro the narrow limits. The noise awok« Syra, who sprang to hw fttt with

youou commander. wjr eagle eye of the young capWn saw thS

cenfliot at the sound, and then the roice of the pirate chief sbouted— my men! Let the conflict

Surprised at an order which they had never received before, bat accustomed to implicit obedience, the savage pirates, in the very act of victory, drew back, and sullenly lowered their raking sword* Still more amased, tht crew of the* merchantman awaited the remit of this unexpected deliverance frata death, Approaching the earl, Captain Raymond touched hisn on the ahmlder. and said, sternly— lord* W°rd Witt 7°n' if y°U P*aiMe' mj Thunderstruck that he should be known to the leader of a gang of pirates, the earl followed him to the retired part of the jewel, where they wera aoreeoed from the view of the other*. For a moment the two atood gating fa each other's faces ; then the earl saW— Well, Sir Pirate, what hare you to say to me, or how came you to know msP, (To be Contnwd.)