Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

254 THE ARGOSY, the speaker’s throat; but Marie read his mad purpose, and throwing both her strong arms about his neck, she clung to him with all her might. “Tt didn’t hurt me—what he said—don't be rash; he will kill you—for my sake, Henri—TI love you.” It was a strange place to make such a confession, with this brutal, grinning crew of rufhians standing all about; but it had the desired effect. Cottrell took the girl’s hands in his and gently disengaged them from around his neck. He was calm now, and he looked Cavara straight in the eyes, his face pale and set. “ Iam powerless to defend this girl or myself against your insults,” he said in a voice low but clear as a bell; ‘‘ but were you in my power I could not make you suffer more than you do. For in your heart the fires of hell are raging!” It was a Parthian shot, and the Spaniard winced, his lips twisting in spite of himself. This stranger had read his very soul, knew that beneath his mask of cold- ness his heart was burning with unsatisfied craving and ambitions, and that this man should lay it all bare and taunt him with it was a greater blow to the proud Cavara than 1f he had been struck in the face. Suddenly the outlaw stepped up close to Cottrell, his face working horribly. ‘For that,” he cried harshly, “ you shall suffer as few men have ever suf- fered. Here, men, bind this fellow and take him to the castle. Tonight he shall sleep in the Dungeon of Despair! ”’ CHAPTER X XIIJ].—THE SPELL OF A VOICE. As the men deftly bound his hands behind him with the cruel, cutting cords, Cottrell stood as motionless as a statue; and not unlike one he looked, with his face as white as marble, his clear cut features sharply outlined in the torchlight against the dark background of the woods. Whether this man Cavara was going to do his worst, or was simply playing a ghastly joke, dictated by the grim humor within him, he could not determine ; but like a brave man, he meant to meet whatever fate held in store, as a gentle- man and an American. } In fact, what might happen to him had ceased to trouble or even to interest him. The thing that brought anguish to his heart and made him grind his teeth at his own helplessness, was the thought of Marie and her fate. What a miserable failure he had made of his attempt at rescue; instead ot releasing her from captivity, he had only opened the flood gates of Cavara’s passion. Ah, well, he had tried his best, though futile his efforts. If Dick Struthers would only appear!. He surely would not wait long. If no news came of him Dick would surely come to the rescue. Ah, that gave him an idea. Cottrell turned his head slightly till his eyes rested on the brigand chief. “ Don Cavara,” he said, speaking with difficulty, for his throat was burning and his tongue was parched. “ Don Cavara, I suppose you realize what it means if any harm befalls either the countess or myself? The authorities of GONG OOO UN ceo