Adventure Magazine Cover — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

A Night in San Asensio Selby? If my husband were to die, I’d die, too!”’ The light from the candle was dim. It was not easy to see things clearly. But it struck Mr. Westcott, glancing from one grave face to the other, that Captain Selby looked subdued and almost ashamed of himself, as if it was quite outside his range of experience to find husband and wife in love. The woman moved across the room to where he sat and he stood up quickly. “Captain Selby,” she said, “have you a mother? You had once. For her sake, then, have some pity on a woman who needs your help! It’s tearing my heart to have to ask you this favor! I don’t know why you’re here, how it all happened, but I’ve prayed on bended knees, night after night, that a way of deliverance would be opened out, and you’re here! You don’t be- heve me? You don’t think any woman can pray as I’ve prayed and have her prayers answered! It’s the truth, all the same! Why are you here? You’ve been sent! Captain Selby, ’'m asking you, as a woman who loves her husband, to take him aboard your ship and get him away from San Asensio and his enemies!”’ “And my wife, also!” said the husband. “Captain, you will take my wife, also!” “T can’t take a woman aboard my ship!” said Captain Selby. There was a strained silence. “Take my husband,” said the woman. “That’s all I ask, Captain!” Noa: He shook his head. She put her hands out and he took a step backward toward the wall. “No, ma’m, I can’t do it!” “God!” said the woman. bitter as that?” “Hush!” said the husband. so much noise! Please!’’ “Take my husband!” said the woman. “No,” said Captain Selby. ‘“You’re ask- ing what’s not possible!” Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. “It’s hot in here, isn’t it?” “And you said, not ten minutes ago, if you could be of any service, I was to com- mand you! You’re rather a hypocrite, Captain Selby, aren’t you? You’d better go now, perhaps. Would you like to know who my husband’s enemies are, so you can tell them where he is?” “‘Are you as “Vou make 183 She covered her face with her hands and began to sob brokenly. Mr. Westcott felt rather sick. Why, why when he knew what kind of an animal the man was, had he imagined him capable of a decent action? “Captain Selby!’”’ he said. to me!”’ And then he stopped. “One moment, Mr. Westcott, I know just what you’re going to say. Don’t!” He turned to the woman. ‘‘Madam, I said I’d help you. Iwill. No, don’t interrupt, please! I want to think.”’ “If I stay here,’ said the woman’s husband, “‘they will most certainly kill me. You will take me, at least, then, if I am to be separated from my poor wife!”’ The woman went to him and took his hand in hers. He put her away from him impatiently, as if matters were too difficult now for any display of affection. “You must get out of here,”’ said Captain Selby shortly. “Your wife, also! It wouldn’t be fair for you to leave her. [ll have no woman aboard my ship—not even my chief engineer’s wife, or my mate’s, from one home port to another! That’s a rule of mine. I never go back on a rule, once I’ve made up my mind that it’s a rule worth keeping.” “No,” said the woman, “you’ve made up your mind. And so you won’t help us! You’re one of those men who lay down rules and obey them, no matter how wrong they may be! You’re always right, aren’t you, Captain Selby?” She tilted her chin and gazed at him scornfully from under her dark lashes. “Captain Selby, wasn’t there ever a woman in your life you loved?” “‘No, ma’m, never! I’ve had my dreams, of course. Most men have. But no woman ever meant anything to me. No woman ever will. But I’m not a monster, ma’m. And I keep my word. I said I’d help you. IT will. I can’t take you, myself, Mrs.— Mrs.—” He hesitated and the woman said— “Alvarez is the name.” “Thank you. I can’t take you, myself, Mrs. Alvarez, but I know some one who will. Another ship is lying near the Lockborough Inlet. The captain’s a friend of mine. He’ll give you and your husband a passage, if[ask him. I'll help you aboard and make all the necessary arrangements. Will that suit you?” “Vou listen DOOLK C©@