Commodore Junk — page 313: what you’re looking at

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

306 COMMODORE JUNK. “Yes! Mad!” cried the buccaneer, fiercely. “I scorn my- self for my weak, pitiful fancy for so despicable a creature as you. So this is the brave captain, holding nightly meetings with a woman like that!” “As I would with anyone who could help me to escape from this vile bondage,’ said Humphrey. “Vile! Who has made it vile?” “You,” said Humphrey, sternly; “and as if I were not de- graded low enough by your base passion and declaration, you come here in the night to insult me by such an insinuation as that.” There was utter silence for a few moments, and then a quick step forward; and before Humphrey Armstrong could realize the fact, Mary Dell had cast herself down, thrown her arms around him, and laid her cheek against his feet. “Trample on me and crush me, or kill me,’ she moaned. “Tam mad. I did not think it. Humphrey, have pity on me. You do not know.” He trembled as she spoke, and clenched his fists tightly; but making an effort over himself, he said, coldly: “You have imprisoned the woman’s lover, and she says he is to die. She came there, as she has come many times before, to plan escape with me and the man I persuaded to be the partner of my flight. For this he is to die.” “Tt is the men’s will,” groaned the prostrate woman. “She has been praying to me to save her lover. I felt 1 could not ask you; but I do ask. Spare the poor fellow’s life, and set him free.” “Do you wish it?” “Yes.” “He shall be set free. You see, I can be merciful, while you alone are stern and cold. How long am I to suffer this?” “How long will you keep me here a prisoner?” Gomichbooksneo =>