The Blockade Runner — page 147: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

148 THE BLOCKADE KUNNER. first time, trust my lips with the deelaration. I have Mowbray’s promise, but I would win you myself.” Norah’s look checked him. “Was not that promise a bargain as well?’ she asked. : Captain Powers started. “Come,” she continued, smiling. ‘‘ Confess, Captain Powers, that you were to have me for certain work on the high seas. Ah! I know a good deal about the purpose of the Swiftwing. There were secrets in Mowbray House, but some were not well kept. It was a bargain as well as a promise.” | The captain stood perplexed in the fair creature’s presence, but his audacity came to the rescue. “Promise or bargain, it may yet be kept,” he ex- claimed. se Sur ey “T would not be misunderstood now, not for the world!” he continued quickly. “You have not an- swered my declaration of love——” “ Need I answer?’ “Tt is not necessary ;” and his lips closed behind the last word. “It was the desire of the dead that you should become my wife, Norah, and my life mission shall be to fulfill it. My love for you is not abated by our meeting to-night ; it has become intensified. I like a hard conquest, a well-fought battle, where there is much at stake. I shall make you my wife! Ishall triumph in this tilt for a heart at the altar!” Norah’s eyes flashed defiance before she replied. They accepted his challenge. “Captain Powers, | am notsurprised at your words,” ~~ she said, assuming a calmness which she evidently did 3 COMMicoookSs. Go