Beadle's Dime Library No. 341 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

-— ' ° = : ~_ -- « A ee" 89 ae ey ee aw et SS ee oe ee eee ee ™ tas - ~~ —_ ~ a . * —y o_o rer a oe eee ee ee eee - ~ ~ Weyer rs > a . -*? - > : * - " » - a ei age ae * a om» “Ff. Saat ‘10 =e mm **'You can do so, Miss Hayward.” ‘*Hold, Helen! Do not bind yourself by any Boe to this sea monster,” commanded Mr. Hayward. “Silence, sir! for you, who would have torn your daughter from the man she loved, because he was a poor student, and married her to a worthless villain, believing him to be rich, have no right now to speak,” and Captain Morte’s manner was stern and earn- est, and Mr. Hayward lowered his eyes be- fore the piercing gaze, for his heart smote him with the thought that the pirate told the truth. “What am I to do, sir, to save my friends?” asked Helen, anxious to end the suspense that was upon all. He looked her straight in the face as he replied: ‘*Fulfill your pledge made to me in your girlhood.” ** What! become your wife?” she cried, in horror and amazement, ‘* Yes, Miss Hayward, I demand that you become my wife,” was the cool reply of the pirate chief. CHAPTER XVII. HELEN’S SACRIFICE, Tue low moan of Helen Hayward, at the demand of the pirate, was echoed by every one of those who now stood about her upon the deck of the schooner. There were those there that knew of her romantic love affair for Rupert Mortimer when she was but a child, and felt that it had hurt her to have him turn out as he had. But now, after time had healed the wound, and another love had crept into her heart, to become also a shattered idol, it was pitiful indeed to have her persecuted by this coming back of her old lover, and coming back with the brand of pirate upon his brow, and the demand that she should become a pirate’s . bride. But could Rupert Mortimer, wicked as he had proven himself, really mean this implied threat? was in every mind. He stood before them in his rakish uni- form, handsome, but stern and sneering, and his eyes were fixed upon the beautiful girl who quivered like an aspen leaf. an, can you mean the words you have just uttered?” cried Mr. Hayward, while ever ae of color fled from his face, ee — ‘‘That you expect this poor girl to become your wife?” cas Sl ‘No! no! no! you cannot mean it, Ru- ert Mortimer,” groaned Helen, clasping her ands together, and appearing the very pic- ture of grief. “Helen, I loved you when you was a child of twelve, and the years that have passed have only served to deepen that love. ‘‘My wild life made me a wanderer, an outlaw, but it has not made me willing to give you up, and I| will not do so,” **You are all-powerful here, surrounded as you are by your crew, your companions in crime, while our vessel, all of us, are at your mercy. **Do you consider this the act of a brave man, pirate though you be, to force me to be- sr what would cause me to loathe my- self?” ‘‘ Helen, I wish you to become mt wife, made so by honorable means, though I force you into the bands. “Will you do as I say?” ‘Tf I refuse?” ‘“Then may Heaven have mercy upon your friends.”’ “‘And 1?” ‘* Will be forced to become my wife.” ‘“‘And the fate in store for those here about me?” “Well, yonder man, Pierce Sanford, will be the first to go, for I shall hang him to the yard-arm of my brig, for I have not forgot- ten that I owe him a trifling revenge,” and the hard manner came back to Captain Morte once more, for he had softened some- what while urging his demand upon Helen. ‘* And then?” and Helen spoke in perfect self-control. ‘‘] will rob all on board of their gold and their jewels, burn this schooner and set them The Sea Desperado. ——— adrift in the boats in the face of this rising He remained in silent thought, while all storm.” gathered about Helen and began to plead to All shuddered at this threat of the pirate, | her not to offer herself as a sacrifice. while Helen asked quickly: ‘‘It is my duty,” she murmured. ‘* Will I go in the boats?” | Her father seemed utterly crushed and ‘* No, you will go on the brig.” could not speak, but looked imploringly at Her head sunk and she remained silent, his daughter. while Mr. Hayward said: At last the pirate, upon whom all eyes now ‘* Sir Pirate, if you will place your valua- | turned, said slowly: tion upon this vessel, and what riches we all | ‘Helen, for your sake, and to prove that I have with us, I will write you a draft upon | do love you and trust you, I accept your my Boston partner for the full amount.”’ _terms.”’ “It is your daughter, Horace Hayward, | ‘‘ And this vessel and all on board shall go not your gold I want,” was the reply. free?” ‘Oh, no, your trade is that of a sea-robber | ‘‘ Yes.” and cut-throat.” “Then I give you my pledge that I w Il ‘Well, I’ll prove that I do not wish to rob | accept the sacrifice and become your wile, you of your riches, or any of you, if Helen | Sea Desperado though you are, if you allow will consent to become my wife.” this yacht and all on board to go free,” said ‘You will release all?’ asked the maiden, | Helen, in a voice that did not quiver. quickly.” ‘*T accept your pledge, and after one month ‘* All but one.” has passed you shall hear from me. ** And that one?” ‘“* Farewell!” **Pierce Sanford.” He raised his cap, and bowing low, turned ‘* If I consent to become your wife?” quickly and sprung back to his own deck, “Yes.” when his commanding voice rung out in ‘You will not touch the gold or valuables | orders to cast the brig loose from the of any one if I consent?” schooner. “1 will not.” As the two vessels swung apart Helen Hay- * Or the vessel?” ward sunk down upon the deck in a swoon ‘She shall go free with all on board.” that looked strangely akin to death. “And Mr. Sanford?” asked Helen, in the same tone of forced calmness, as she turned CHAPTER XVIII. HELEN'S DOUBLE MISSION. and glanced at that gentleman, who stood leaning against the bulwark, his daughter, a | THe schooner went on her way, after being lovely girl of seventeen, clinging to his arm | released by the pirate vessel and rode out and trembling with fear. the storm that broke with nightfall to find ** He must remain.” an anchorage in Boston harbor the follow- ** For what purpose?” ing day. ‘*It is my intention to swing him up to the It was long before Helen recovered from yard-arm.”’ the deep swoon into which she had fallen; ‘No, no, you will not do that,” cried | but at last she awoke to consciousness and at Edith Sanford, pleadingly. once rallied, with the air of one who felt that But the pirate did not answer, and after a | she had a task to perform and must not yield moment Helen said: to weakness. ‘Rupert Mortimer, you have said that you | #Over her had bent her father and her loved me.” friends in sorrow and sympathy: but she re- ‘1 do, Helen.” fused to speak of her pledge when she be- **T will test that love.” came herself again, and at once assumed a ** Do so.”’ cheerfulness which she was far from feeling. ‘** You wish me to become your wife?” Going to a hotel with her father, Helen “Yes, I beg it, and if you refuse, I de- | stated that she would go out to call upon a mand it.” friend, and refusing the proffered escort of Helen was now white-faced, stern, and so | her father she started alone. perfectly calm that it was painful to look at She soon came to a house which seemed her, and know the effort she was making for | to be the one she sought, as it was the same self-control. number and street which was written on a In a voice that was firm and clear, she | piece of paper she held in her hand, and as- said: cending the steps she raised the heavy brass “Well, sir, I agree to become your wife, | knocker and let it fall several times. but upon conditions.” A sad-faced woman answered the sum- The man started, his face flushed with | mons, and to the query of Helen: pleasure, and he made a step toward her, ‘Ig Mr. Walter at home?” while a moan broke from the lips of all else | She answered: who heard the words of the brave girl. ‘‘Yes, miss, [but he is asleep, as he is a | ‘What are your conditions, Helen?” he | night-watchman, and sleeps all the morn- eagerly asked. ing.” : ‘First, that you release this vessel and all ‘‘Tt is important that I see him.” on board.” ‘‘T will call him,” said the woman, and ** All?” ushering Helen into a little parlor she disap- * Yes, and their property must remain un- | peared. touched.” In a short while a man entered the room and bowed to his fair visitor. He was a man of forty, apparently in the middle walks of life, and with a face that seemed to have been schooled to hide all emotion. ‘Tl am William Walter, miss, and I be- lieve you desired to see me,” he said. ‘‘ Yes, I have come to see you upon a mat- ter of importance, and of advantage to you. 1 wish you to do a service for an unfortunate man, and for which you will be paid well.” ‘“What is it that Iam to do, lady?” and William Walter strove hard to recall where he had seen his fair visitor before and under what circumstances. “You are a night-watchman now, I be- lieve?” ‘* All but one, Helen.” **No, IL include Mr. Sanford too.” **T will not include him.” ‘‘Then do your worst, for I will not agree to other terms,” she said, coldly. Ne pirate frowned, and after an instant said ; “Well, I grant your terms.” “Those are not all.” ‘What else do you demand?” ‘“‘T pledge myself to become your wife, whenever you make the demand, after one month has passed.” ‘You will not sail with me to a minister now— “IT will do nothing of the kind; but you know me, Rupert Mortimer, and that I will keep a pledge I make you, and that pledge ‘*T am, miss.” is to become your wife after one month has | ‘‘May I ask what you are paid for your passed, and you have then but to come, or services?” send for me, and I will do as you com- ‘Tt is a strange question, lady.” mand.” ‘‘T ask it, to be governed in it by a price ‘* And I have only your pledge, Helen?” I intend to offer you.” **Only my pledge.’ | TJ receive seven hundred dollars a year, “And must release you and all with | miss.” ‘Would you like to make that sum by ** Yes.” one week’s work?” **T cannot do it.” ‘* Would I indeed, lady!” “Then do your worst, Rupert Mortimer, “Could you get some one to take your for T agree to no other terma,” place for that time?” " GOMIEDOOKS GO | | | te ee ait ‘- o = -—