Adventure Magazine Cover, April 1916 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

22 vi y ON > BOY, girl and dog, were swallowed (ORS up in the crowd which grew more a3 noisy with every fresh cask that, being rolled up from the rough storehouses that lined the shores of the cove, was stove in with shouts of glee and bursts of song. Singing, playing, scuffling, stuffing them- selves with the good things from the feast which had been provided for the occasion, and washing out their dusty throats with great gulps of wine, their voices rose to a chorus that might have been heard at the other end of the island. The sailors from the ship had come among them and added their merrymaking to the general din. Some of the women had already married the men who had chosen them, or fought for them. As Nancy approached one group, which seemed more quiet than the rest, she saw that the interest was centered in Cherie and Bras-de-Mort who were standing hand in hand beneath a palm, while the padre, the little French monk she had first seen in Lille, half tipsy, his round red face shining like a tropic moon, was reciting the marri- age service, stumbling over the words by reason of having one eye on a cask that was being tapped by a couple of frolicking mariners. A storm of cheers greeted the conclusion of the service, as every one rushed up hel- ter-skelter to kiss the bride. Cherie caught sight of Nancy’s face, and slipping away came over to where she was standing and threw her arms around the girl’s neck. “T fear for you in all this madness, Made- moiselle,’’ she said, a look of deep concern in her dark eyes. For myself—I am used to such orgies, and tired of them, too. Now, thank God, I feel a greater security than I have ever known. My husband is a man— a real man. You would scarcely believe me, Mademoiselle, but lam—happy. Andhe will protect you, too, my friend, never fear.” “I thank you both from the depths of my heart,”’ said Nancy simply, kissing her, ‘“‘but in the long run I must look out for myself, and that I shall do.” “You do not know what I know. I must warn you. The Governor has given it out that you are reserved for him.” ‘“‘T have more than suspected as much.” “After all, if you could be philosophical about it, perhaps it would be the best thing. As the Governor’s lady—well, there are compensations in that station.” Adventure “Not for me.” ‘“‘Has he said aught to you?” “His actions have spoken more plainly than words.”’ She turned, with a feeling that some one was looking at her, and saw the priest, and by his side d’Ogeron again. The Governor tried now to take her by the hand, and securing it, sought to em- brace her. But she tore herself away from his grasp, kicking and struggling, with such good purpose that finally she was able to wrench herself free. The crowd had closed in around them, hooting and jeering. The Governor’s face was a thunder-cloud. “A very wildcat of a woman, Monsieur,” hiccoughed the monk, holding his cassock up about his knees as he jumped up and down with mirth. “By Our Lady! A wild- cat! A tigress!” “T shall tame her quickly enough,”’ burst forth the Governor. “Out of my way, you beggars! Are these the best manners you have, that you should stand about gaping at me? As for you, Mademoiselle, the padre will accommodate us with the ritual within the hour.” He turned and strode away, nor vouch- safed any further wedding announcement. The crowd drew back respectfully before Nancy, at this. ‘“The Governor’s lady! The Governor’s lady!’ she heard them say- ing, the words passing from lip to lip, until it seemed to have spread in a twinkling all over the island. Scarce three hundred yards off shore, for the deep water made close in under the overhanging cliffs, lay the Saint Jean Bap- liste in a very fair berth, anchors at bow and stern for fear of her being driven ashore in a sudden squall; so close in, that it seemed as if a stone might have been dropped upon her decks from the castle perched upon the hillside. Nancy, wandering down to the beach with Barney and Three-legs, could come to no conclusion upon the situation in which she found herself. She had been given an hour, sixty minutes more of liberty, and then She shivered at the thought of the alter- native as the words she had so bravely spoken that morning came rushing back upon her from her memory. “No,” she had said, “‘not while that cliff is yonder!” } Her eyes, fastened so longingly upon the CoOMmMichoooks (CO