Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 418 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

I The Sea Siren. 25 seeing Captain Moncrief connene over the taff- rail, stepped up to him and said in a low tone: ‘¢ Will vou tell me something, if I ask you?” ‘‘ Certainly, Miss Sibyl.” ‘‘ Why did you draw off from the Sea Scor- ion this morning, as soon as you recognized er?” ‘** Miss Sibyl?” ** Yes?” ‘‘ Had I held on a fight would have followed, and a sea combat is an ugly sight for a lady’s eyes. fs You should not have thought of me,” ‘* But I did.” ‘‘ Was that your only motive?” ss No.” ‘* Tell me the other.” ‘Well, my orders are to capture Bronx and hang him without trial to the yard-arm. ‘* Now a battle between the Sea Scorpion and the Sea Siren could end butone way.” ‘‘ And that way?” ‘‘ By the capture of the Sea Scorpion of course, though Bronx would doubtless fight with des- peration.” ‘‘ He would.” ‘¢Qnce he became my prisoner I would have to obey orders.” és ell?” ** And hang him.” ** And you shrink from it?” 46 ’ I do. sé Why ”” ‘‘ Well, he was your friend.” ‘‘ He is so no longer.” ‘‘You are the friend of his mother and sister.”’ ‘* Ah, yes, and I pity them.” ‘““So do I, and I wish that some one else than I might be his captor.” 48 You have a good heart, Manton Moncrief.” ‘¢ You are kind to say so, Miss Sibyl.” She made no reply, and soon after walked away. The next day at night came a severe gale set in. The course of the Sea Siren lay for Long Island, the skipper desiring to return home as soon as possible, and Moncrief had promised to run into the inlet and spend several days at Hurst Haven, for he was not yet wholly strong, and he knew the rest would benefit him, not to speak of the delight he had in being near Sibyl. You say yon channel isa bad one torun, Miss J Sibyl, in a blow?” asked Moncrief. ‘“ Yes, sir, but it can be done with proper eare.” ‘‘We will not be there, you know, until after nightfall.” ‘So I see.” ‘‘Then we had better stand off and on until daylight, and then run in,” _ no means.” res Yoni know your father has but one arm now, and as a pilot he—” ‘‘T will be your pilot, Captain Moncrief.” ** You?” ‘* Yes, why not?” ; ‘True, your father has said you were as good a sailor as he is and I believe it; but will you dare attempt the inlet to-night?” “Certainly, for the wind is abeam and this vessel works to a charm.” ‘¢You will have no light-house you know to guide you.” ‘‘T can go in by the sound of the surf, and by watching the breakers, which are wilder in the inlet.” ‘‘The vessel is in your hands for the trial, Miss Sibyl.” ‘¢- You honor me with your confidence, I assure ou,” but do you see yonder mansion on the ill?” and she poin two leagues away to the shore. a Yes.” ‘‘That is Hurst Haven.” — He turned his glass upon it, and after a long look, said: ; “(It is a grand mansion, truly.” __ “TItisa dear old home, and I love it; but see! it is just growing dark, and you will see a light stream out from the tower on the east wing of Hurst Haven, for father has given orders for it to be lit every night, as a beacon to some poor mariner— th ‘‘ Ah! there it is,” and afar off was visible the light. t was an ugly night, for the seas ran wild, and the winds howled over the schooner as they sped on with terrific speed. The skipper soon came on deck, and glancing about him, recognized the Hurst Haven beacon, for he said cheerily: ‘** Home again!” ** But a gerous inlet to pass through be- rae Rye an anchorage, Captain Hurst,” iy oa will pilot you through all right,” aN mg sks is a fine pilot to do so on such a “That is just what she is, Captain Moncrief, as you will see.” In a few moments after he said, in a low tone: a eee ay rr LLL Ce i cc ‘*‘ Now don’t say anything to her, and see if she does not know what she is about.” Half an hour after, as though to verify her father’s words, Sibyl said: ** Captain Moncrief, you mean for me to be your pilot, do you not?’ ‘Yes, Miss Sibyl.” ** You do not fear to trust the schooner and the lives of your crew in my hands?” ‘* By no means, and throw my life in the bal- ance,” he said, with a smile. ‘‘ Then please put another reef in the foresail, and shake a reef out of the mainsail, for she will work quicker.” The orders were given and promptly exe- cuted. ‘‘T will head now directly for the inlet, for we are opposite to it.” ? ‘*You have a good eye to know that, Miss ibyl.” i tell by the beacon at Haven Hurst, as it now lies, and the small light you see dead ahead,” ‘* Ah, yes! I see it, and it appears to be in the window of some house.” ‘That light is in the sitting-room of Hugh Bronx’s home.” ** Indeed!” ‘Yes; and now I want two of your best men to take the wheel with me.” ‘* There are no better than the two now there, Miss Sibyl.” ‘‘ Then into the inlet we go,” was the cheery reply, and she took her stand to the right of the starboanel wheelmen. ** Steady as you are, men!” ** Steady ’tis,” was the reply. ** Head so that one of you keeps the bowsprit Me ees of that light, the other to lar- oard. a | | never seen her look half as beautiful, or appear as fascinating. It was midnight before they said good-night, and sinking into a downy Manton Moncrief soon sunk to sleep and dreampt that he was in en. The next morning after a tang, 4 breakfast the skipper set about showing him his splendid farm, and returning by the shore they boarded the schooner, when the young sailor was sur- peseg and pleased to find that Sibyl bad sent to is crew the greatest quantity of milk, fresh but- ter, eggs, fowls, vegetables and all kinds of good things to tempt the palate, while the officers were invited to dine at Hurst Haven that day, ase they had not been forgotten in the sup- es. ** Leave the boatswain in command, Moncrief, and let all your officers come, for Sibyl has set her heart on it, and to-morrow we will give the men a dinner ashore in the woods,” said the i oncrief could refuse nothing, ard so it was decided that Allen Rossmore and his junior offi- cers should dine at Hurst Haven at two o’clock that day. Having gotten all going rightin the house- hold, Sibyl mounted her horse, determined to ride over and see Bessie Bronx and ber mother. She did not su por that Hugh had been home, and more, if he had, that he had breathed one word that would reflect upon herself. She loved Mrs. Bronx and Bessie dearly, and she was determined that the shortcomings of the son and brother should not stand in the way of their friendship. Entering the gateway, Sibyl rode up to the piazza, but seeing no one, dismounted and walked in through the open hall door. Tapping at the door which she knew led into Thus the Sea Siren drove on, until the roar of | the sitting-room, the answer came from within: the surf was appalling. But the fair pilot never moved, and the schooner was soon burying her sharp prows in the wila breakers. ‘* Starboard hard!” cried Sibyl,as the break- ers were even with the stern of the schooner, and quickly came the response: ‘* Starboard hard ’tis!” The sharp bows seemed drowned for a mo- ment: as they swung around, but the Sea Siren went flying along fora dozen lengths ere another order was given. Then came: ‘* Starboard hard!” ‘* Starboard hard ’tis!” ‘‘ Steady as you are!” “Steady ’tis!” Again the schooner held on, for a cable’s length, and then came: ** Hard! hard a-larboard!’ ‘** Hord a-larboard ’tis.” An instant the bows swung rapidly, and then | were brought to a steady, and the schooner shot | ahead in the still water, for she had passed in through the inlet and was in the little haven be- pies the sandy stretch of beach which kept at the mighty ocean. liding on for a quarter of a mile the sail was taken in, the anchor let go and the Sea Siren was in a haven of safety, brought there by the fair pilot, Sibyl Hurst. CHAPTER XLIX. THE REBUFF. It was still early in the evening, when the | ** Come in!” She knew the voice, It was that of Mrs. Bronx, and she quickly entered. Mrs. Bronx was a woman of fine appearance, though a trifle cold and haughty in manner. She idolized her children, had few friends, was lenient with them but very firm with her servants. She was an ambitious woman, and had lived in the hope that Sibyl Hurst would one day be the wife of her son, for she knew her to be an heiress. She was beautiful, refined and educat- ed, while not a word could be said against her, She was reading a paper as Sibyl entered, and looked up at the opening of the door, Her face paled as she recognized the maiden, who advanced toward her in her pleasantest way, saying: ‘*My dear Mrs. Bronx, I am so glad to see ha onee more, and I hope you and Bessie are well. Sibyl paused, for the woman had drawn her- self up to her full hight, her face was white and ae oxen flashed, while she stepped back and said sha : ‘** Miss Hurst, I believe?” ‘Why, Mrs. Bronx, do you not know me?’ cried Sibyl, in alarm. ‘* T knew one once by the name of Siby] Hurst, _ and believed her to be a noble girl. | Sea Siren dropped anchor in the cove, and Cap- | tain Hurst decided to go home at once, as it was but a short distance up through the woods. A boat was lowered at once, and the father, daughter and Moncricf were set on shore and cb led the way up to the mansion. The baying of a dog erected them, but a shrill call from Sibyl changed his angry bark into a yelp of greeting and a huge mastiff came bound- ng toward them. he servants in the kitchen also heard the sig- nal, and recognized it, and the door was thrown open and a joyous welcome given them. Lights were flashed in the mansion windows, fires were built, for the night was raw, and the old cook set to work to prepare a substantial supper. Moncrief gazed about him with silent delight. It was just such a home as he had pictured what home should be, but which he had never known, as, from boyhood he had followed the sea. The rooms were large, elegantly furnished, and thick carpets were on the floors. A charmin a huge wood fire crackled upon the hearth, and sinking into an easy-chair he began to build voice of frenzy: castles in the coals and became lost to the pre- ’ ’ >) ‘*T have found her to be fickle, false, heart- less and treacherous, and I despise her!” The words seemed to come in a hiss from the woman’s lips, Sibyl was appalled, and seemed to feel that the lady bad lost ber mind. ‘*My poor Mrs. Bronx, you are ill, for I am by! Hurst, and I love you very dearly,” she said. As she spoke, Sibyl advanced toward her, but the woman drew back, and said sternly: | | ; ‘‘Do not come near me, girl, but leave my house at once, for you are not worthy to be be- neath its roof!” ‘The eyes of the maiden flashed fire at this, and it seemed to dawn upon her that if Mrs. Bronx was insane there was method in her madness; and she said, in her cool, cutting | way: ‘*My dear madam, I shall leave once, nor will I ever do you the honor to step foot into it ip Pome ’ ‘* Anger I do not feel for you, but pity—pity that you should be the mother of Hugh now a fugitive upon the seas.” The words were stinging, the manner so calm, so cutting, that Mrs. Bronx shrunk back before the awful anger of the gir] whom she had so in- ronx, room was placed at his disposal, sulted But at the allusion to her son, she cried in a! ‘* No, no, no! you dare not say aught sent until the skipper came to call him to sup- | my noble boy—bhe whose heart you have bro- r. ug such a supper as the three sat down to | ! ken!” ‘**I say nothing that is not true, and as for a Moncrief had only imagined there might be but | heart, he has none to break. never enjoyed, while the skipper had brought out of his cellar a bottle or two of his choicest wine, It might have been the eed the pretty dress, which Sibyl bad hastily put on, | ‘**T bid you farewell, madam.” Wheeling majestically, Sibyl drew her riding- Be habit about her superb form, and strode from perhaps , the room and the house. y Her horse awaited her, and springigg intothe for the one she had worn on the schooner saddle, she rode home at a rapid gallop, was wet with spray, but certain it is that Man- ton Moncrief mentally took oath that he had had occurred, for her angry face caused : ' To her father and Moncrief she related what them ICO im ‘Si = (E(o) (E rou houseat si com .. 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