Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

OOCTAVIA’S PRIDE. 9g direction,” said he, a little angrily. ‘‘ If any trouble comes out of this affair from the shore, | presume you won’t care to be dragged into it.” ; Captain Lo sighed lugubriously. ‘«<Tf I could be assured there was no wrong about it,” he began, and then, suddenly struck by anew idea, he asked, anxiously: ‘‘ But what am I to do with the passenger when I arrive in port?” ““T have been waiting for you to make such an inquiry,” was the composed reply, ‘‘ Your passenger is not to arrive at all in the port.” in “You ask me to commit murder? Begone, sir. Iam not a tool for such a deed!” vociferated the master of the Sea Foam. 3 «“ Now again you jump at your own conclusions. I do not intend that any harm shall come to your passenger— who will enjoy a very romantic and novel experience. Un- derstand me: this person for a little time will be in my way; of course it is so, or I should not take all this pains and expense to get up an impromptu voyage for the person’s ex- press benefit. I mean to have aclear path for the time I desire, and if you do not consent, I can find plenty less scrupulous shipmasters who will; but when I can, I prefer to deal with an honorable man. . Besides, I thought my five hundred pounds would do most good in your case. If you decline the business, I may as well spare the waste of time and words.” . He rose as he spoke, and made a movement toward the door. Poor, perturbed, half-distracted Captain Lo stretched out his hands. “Stay; if I can be assured the passenger is to come to no harm, I will consent.” ‘I have already given that assurance,” returned his mys- terious visitor, haughtily. ‘‘I am no murderer, man!” 4 m *»comicboo €5) com —