Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 483 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

“kb lives, our vessel’s safety to the hand of a wo- man,” and the young captain bowed low, his hat in his hand. The rough storm coat that Kate had on, envel- oping her to the heels, the man’s tarpaulin, hid- ing her face, had caused him to believe her to be a fisherman’s daughter, some daring young maiden whose life was passed upon’ the water. But the appearance of the refined and hand- some gentleman who called her his daughter, showed that he was mistaken. Then toohe observed what had escaped his at- tention before, a small, well-shaped boot beneath the storm-coat, and hands that were tiny, shape- ly, and covered with jewels. ‘* May I present myself as Carl Casandra, Captain of Revenue, under the Government, and commanding the schooner-of-war Vandal?” and Captain Casandra again bowed low. Kate put out ber hand in her frank way, and answered: ‘“‘Tam glad to mect you, Captain Casandra, and to present to you my father, Mr, Cyle Ken- yon, a planter.” The two men grasped hands, and the planter said: ‘‘Captain Casandra, I too am glad to meet you, and to feel that I owe the pleasure to the courage of my daughter. ‘‘My home is yonder, sir, Castle Kenyon we call it, and I would like to claim you, and your officers, during your stay in my little harbor, for your vessel will need repairs that cannot be done in a day.” Gladly did Carl Casandra accept the invita- tion to become the guest of the planter, and promising to come up to the mansion, with a couple of his officers, as soon as they had seen to the welfare of their vessel, he saw the father and daughter Cepart in tha life-boat, which Low arrived in safety with her'party. That evening, when the young officer beheld Kate Kenyon come into the parlor, where he sat Shnieie Wit} the planter and his brother offi- cers, while awaiting for supper, her radiant beauty completely dazzled him, and before he went to sleep that night he registered a vow that Kate Kenyon should one day be his wife. Whether the vow was kept or not, the sequel will skow, CHAPTER V. HOPE. ‘CAPTAIN CASANDRA was a man of strik- ing appearance, for he had dignity of mien, ndded to a courtly manner, was tall, we'l- formed, and his face was cne to command at- tention at a glance. H> was young for the position he held, of cap- tain in the Revenue Service, but he had worked hir way up by gallant acts, and his daring and good service caused some of his wild escapades to be overlooked by Government officials, when under different circumstances they would not have been tolerated. The result was that Captain Casandra, at the age of twenty-eig ht, found himself in command cf a fine schooner, and he was returning from a long and successful cruise against smugglers, when overtaken by the storm in Chesapeake ay. His schooner sadly needed refitting and over- hauling, and she would have gone in for repairs long before, only she could not be spared, so the result was that she leaked badly, and would have gone to the bottom but for the pluck of Kate Kenyon. Captain Casandra and each one of his crew fully realized this, and where the latter looked with devoted admiration and gratitude upon the young girl, the gallant commander fell over head and heels in love with her, He did not hurry his workmen in patching up {6 schooner, so that days passed ere he set sail from the little harbor of Castle Kenyon. Ile had sent a junior officer on to make his re- rert to Government, and to have all in readi- ness for his vessel to go upon the stocks, and so he was content. The days he remained in Castle Kenyon haven he passed with the beautiful Kate. hey rode together along the highways, stroll- ed togethcr around the forests, rowed or sailed upon the bay, and in fact it seemed as though the heart of the young girl had been won by the man whose life she had saved. At last the parting day came, and Kate had teken Captain Casandra over to see her mother’s grave. It was near the sunset hour, and the captain vas to sail just after nightfall, for he had been taucht well the channel by the fair pilot. “You sey that I may come to see you again?” he asked in a low tone, as the two sat together ypon the rustic seat by the violet-covered grave. | A Cabin Boy’s Luck. ‘Yes, I will be glad to see you, as I know father also will be,” was the response, ‘* Perhaps, Miss Kenyon, if we’-had met under different circumstances, I would not have said for a long time what now I wish to say. ‘** You saved my life, you saved my crew and vessel, and you won my greatest gratitude and admiration. ‘‘In the week that we have been together, you have grown into my heart never to be ef- faced therefrom, and I can only say I will come again gladly, to see you, if I feel that I am not coming merely to be led into deep sorrow by un- requited love. ‘** Bid me hope; it is all I ask, and I will come. ‘Can I come under those circumstances, with such a welcome word from you?” He did not touch her hand, but sat apart, speaking earnestly. ** Come!” she said, in a low voice, and at the same moment she arose to go to the mansion. ‘¢ Miss Kenyon, one moment, please.” She paused, and still standing where he was when he called to her, he said; ‘“*T would say to you that my life has not been all that it should be, for I lived fast and recklessly ; but I had ambition only to urge me n. ‘‘ Now, with love to protect me, and ambition to urge me forward, my life shall be a changed one, and I will prove myself worthy of your con- fidence, and, may I say, love?” She held out her hand with a smile, and he sped it warmly. Then they started for the mansion, and two hours after the schooner set sail. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and planter Kenyon and Kate sailed in the schooner out to sea, the maiden, at the request of Carl Casandra, taking the wheel, while the little yacht with her negro crew followed in the ves- sel’s wake, A league at sea the schooner hove to, fare- wells were said, and the yacht put back to the haven, while the Vandal went on her way. ‘‘How do you like Captain Casandra, Kate?” asked the planter, as the two were walking u the path to the mansion after landing from the yacht. ‘Father, I may as well be frank and tell you that I love him.” ** Ah, child! I feared as much,” ** Feared it, sir?” ‘‘ Yes, for Carl Casandra does not impress me as being sincere.” ‘Sincere, father?” ‘‘Yes, Kate, for I studied him well, when I saw that you were interested in him, and he in you. ‘‘He is wonderfully fascinating in manner, handsome, sings well, rides like a Centaur, and paling still, is a perfect searnan and without ear. ‘* He has worked his way up well, and in war times would make a great name; but he is stern as adamant with his men, almost cruel, and holds no friendship with his officers, while 1 am sure that he is dissipated.” ‘* He told me he had lived a fast life, father, but said he would change his career if I bade him hope some day to gain my love.” ‘‘T hope he may; but your answer was—” ‘*T bade him come back to see me.” ‘¢ Well, Kate, your happiness is what I seek and I pray he may prove worthy the wearing of a gem so priceless. ‘He loves you, that I saw, and I hope it may change him from what I feel now that he is. ‘¢ Now, let us drop this subject, and await the tide of events, to see what will come of it all,” and the planter kissed his daughter good-night, and sought his own room; but there was a shadow upon his heart which he did not like to have there, for it was called up by a dread of unhappiness to his loved daughter. CHAPTER VI. THE GAMBLER CAPTAIN. Upon his arrival in port, Captain Carl Casan- dra got his schooner laid up for repairs, and then sought rooms he was afterward to occupy, when he remained a few weeks in the harbor. The image of Kate Kenyon was constantly in his mind, and, as soon as he had gone to Wash- ington to make his report in person, and then attend to some important business matters, he meant to return to Castle Kenyon for a couple or weeks. To Washington he went then, and received the thanks of his superiors for his valuable ser- vices, after which he returned to Baltimore, and settled himself down in his rooms for a few days. That night, while his successful capture of a 32 tr ae en neg ees Mey es hy band of smugglers upon the Virginia coast, was; the talk upon every lip, he wended his way to a, large gambling-saloon, and, recognized by the doorkeeper, entered. It was a gorgeous place, and a large number of gamblers were there, and by many he was. cordially greeted. Straight to the roulette-table he went, nodded to the man in charge, and began to bet heavily. For’ awhile, as is so often the case, he won largely and then the tide turned, and he risked all of his winnings upon one bet. He lost, and at once began to wager high. Bet after bet was lost, and the interest of all became centered in the playing of the young captain. alm, pale, yet plucky, he still bet against fate, and still lost heavily. At last he paused and said: ‘Benedict, you have won from me to-night. just ten thousand dollars of my money. ‘Will you cash my I. O. U. for an equal, sum?” ‘*'We will stake you for that sum, Captaim Casandra, if you wish to play,” was the answer. ‘“I do; here is the I. O. U., so give me a thou- sand to begin with,” The note was written, the money handed over, and once more did the young sea-captain begin oO win. But once more luck changed, and in an hour’s: time he had not a dollar. ‘* Give me five thousand more, Benedict,” he said calmly. The money was given to him, upon the same- terms as before, and this too was lost. With a face that was very pale Car] Casan- dra turned from the table, and walked out into the street. For awhile he seemed to stroll listlessly about, as though not knowing or caring whither he- went, Then he stopped, hesitated a moment, and aa a went hurrying along in the direction of the arbor. At last he halted at a brick house, old and. dilapidated, and standing slightly apart from others. A yard ran down to the water’s edge, but it. was rank with weeds. A single light was visible, and knocking at the door, the window above was raised and a. voice said: ‘Well, who are you, and what do you want?” ‘* Ho, Marks, it is the Vandal, so let me in.” *“‘Ah! Captain Casandra! I will be down in a minute,” and soon after the door was throwm open. ‘“Come in, captain,” said a tall man, with long blacs beard, who had opened the door. e sailor entered, and the man barred the door, after which he took up his lantern and led. the way up a pair of rickety stairs. ¢ Into a large room he turned, and it was bril- liantly lighted, comfortable, and with drawn curtains oyer the windows, A large table was near the fire-place, and up- on it were piles of gold, bank notes and pa rs, which the man had evidently been looking over when he heard Captain Casandra’s knock, ‘* Be seated, captain,” and Marks motioned to an easy near the table, and stepping to a sideboard brought out a decanter of brandy and glasses. He was &@ man of powerful build, with long black hair and beard, and his face, whats features were visible, indicated cunning, and devilishness to a wonderful degree, ‘‘ Well, Marks, you hold my paper, due soon, and I wish to renew it,” said the captain, bluntly. ‘*Tt will be due day after to-morrow, captain, and the sum total, with interest, is just twelve thousand five hundred dollars.” | | ‘“‘ TWenty-five hundred dollars being interest,” sneered the captain. ‘Yes, sir, for I have renewed for you five separate three months, making fifteen months you have had the ten thousand, on interest of five hundred per term.” ‘Well, you must renew it, and give me some: money,” *‘T cannot, sir.” ‘“*Cannot what?” ‘“*T must not, Captain Casandra.” ‘‘ Man, I lost at the gaming table to-night. ten thousand douere iven me by another, 4 plant- er, to depos | rk. to deposit for him in bank ““T hoped ‘ne bill in pny Nate a not, ead *0 I ve my. for ten thousand, and then for fe th ‘d 3 ) f ve and all went, so I owe just twen- chooks:-com SS -_ ~ e+ — te ie te