Thrice Lost, Thrice Won — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

8 me and repair it. Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp, or a crucible to pid all tone, or into gold? or have you come upon a buried treasure, or what? — I have no objection to have my fortune made, and it’s slow work making it in the Raven. The revenue cutters were within an ace of having me, crew and cargo, this last time.” “They'd have had you long ago, if you had been an hon- ester man; but Satan is good to his own. However, your for- tune is made, and within your grasp now, if you choose to reach out your hand and take it.” “Then, by Jove, L choose! Just have the goodness to ex- plain yourself a little.” The old man leaned forward, and his ert ferret eyes peered sharply into the brilliant blue orbs of the stalwart captain. “Roysten Darrell, have you any objection to a 1 wife ?” “Not the least in life! To a dozen, if you choose. Have you found me one?” “I have—an heiress—a millionaire’s only child.” _ “Good! It has been the ambition of my life to marry a millionaire’s daughter. But where is she? [| didn’t know sag EES existed over in yon big fishing village of Rock- edge “No more do they. She isn’t in Rockledge ; she is heré, in this house.” “Thousand thunders!” cried Roysten Darrell, in his boister- ous voice. “You don’t mean old J udith ? By Jupiter! I’m not of a fastidious stomach in these matters, but Ill be hanged “f I could bring myself to such a pitch as that. No, > my worthy old crony, said the captain of the Raven, mak- ing a wry face, “if Judith is your heiress, you'll allow me to decline. Much obliged to you, though, all the same.” “Don’t be a fool, Darrell!” exclaimed Peter Fisher, angrily, “and don’t lift the roof with that big voice of yours. I don’t : mean Judith, you know as well as I do; I mean Estella Mal- | lory. “What! Little Estella? But, mon amt, she’s ‘nike a child.” “She’s over sixteen years, Captain Darrell, and a good- looking, well-grown girl. You objected to age a moment ago —now you object to youth. Pray, what will you have q”? “Y’ll have little Estella with all the pleasure in life. The question is, will Estella have me? She scuds like a frigat:. ened deer at the first glimpse of me.’ “No wonder, with your rough ways, and your thunderous voice, and your ponderous six feet three. But Pll make all that right—she’ll do whatever I tell her, or Vi know | the reason why. And you ll marry her? Give me your nai nd that, Roysten Darrell.” a + . ; i ’ ry Pvt heh oy a * a | <p, ri - = > 4 \ co ast Oo UP re. wl ae ¥ *