Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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.r , ; i ? - "" f Sir Henri BUCO > By CYRUS TOW Author of "The Sout of Country/' "The C COPYRIGHT. 1005. BY G. W. "My'lord," 'shouted the unfortunate captain, "give him no heed. He Ilea In tit* throat; be Ilea a thousand time*. Twaa a mutinous dog, that brother of his, that I hanged. I am your prisoner. ' You nre a soldier. I look for speedy j I'liuiaumeill?CCrXBIIl UCUUl, it IllAy l)?? j - but let It not be from his band." "Think, senors," urged the boatswain. "You would hang him, perhaps. It la the worst that you could do. Is that punishment meet for him? lie has despoiled women, bereft children, tortured men. in the streets of La Guayra. A more fitting punishment should await him. Think of Panama, of Maracalbo, of Porto Bcllo. Recall what he did there. Is hanging-enough? Give him to me. Let me have my way. You have your daughter, safe, unharmed, * within the shelter of her lover's arms. The town is yours. You have won the fight. 'Twas I that did it. Without me your wives, your children, your subjects, would have been slaughtered In Caracas, and this dog would have l>een free to go further afield for prey. He coveted your daughter?would fain make lier his slave In some desert Island. Give him to roe!" "OKI man," said the viceroy, "I tako back my words. You have excuse for your betrayal, but your request I cannot grant. I have promised him to Alvarndo. Nay, urge me no further. My f * word Is nassed." "Thank you, thank you!" cried Morgan, breathing again. "Sllenee, you dog!" said the viceroy, with a look of contempt on his face. "But take heart, man," he added as he saw the look of rage and disappointment sweep over the face of the old sailor; "lie will not cacu|>c lightly. Would tJod he had blood enough In his hotly to pay drop by drop for all he luith shed. Ills death shall be slow, lingering, terrible. You have said it, and you shall see It, too, If you will, lie shall have time to repent and to think upon the past. You may glut yourself with his suffering and feed fat your revenge. 'Twill l?e a meet, a lit ting punishment so fur as our j>oor minds can compass. We have already planned It. Tnkc hiui away and hold iilm safe. Tomorrow he shall be pun1 -lied. Alvarado, art ready for duty?" "Keudy, your excellency," answered tiie young man, "autl for this duty." _ "Take him, then. I give him into your hands. You know what Is to be done; see you do It well." "Aye, my lord. Into the strong room with him, men!" ordered the young Spaniard, stepping unsteadily forward. As he did so the crucifix he wore, which the disorder In his dress exposed to view. Unshed Into the light ouce more. Morgan's eyes fastened upon It for the lirst time. "By heaven, sir!" lie shouted. "Whore got yo tlint cross?" "From his mother, noble captain," interrupted Ilornigold, coming closer. He had another card to play. He had waited for this moment, and he throwback his head with a long, bitter laugh. Thee was such sinister, such vicious mockery and meaning In Ills voice, with not the faintest note of n j merriment to relieve it, that his listener era looked aghast upon him. "Ills mother?" cried Morgan. "Then this Is"? ?"|rbe lsiy I took into Cuchillo when wo were at Panama," said Ilornlgold In triumph. "And tuy son!" cried the old buccaneer, with malignant joy. A great cry of repudiation and horror y hurst from the lips of Alvarudo. The pthers stnml with astonishment and Incredulity Written on their.faces. Mercedes moved closer to her lover and strove to take bis hand. "My lords and gentlemen, hear iuc," continued the buccaneer, tho words rushing from his lips In his excitement, 'Where got jre that crow?* for In the new relationship be so promptly and boldly affirmed be thought he ftaw a way of escape from his Imminent peril. "There lived In Maracnlho a Spanish woman, Maria Zerega, who loved me. By her there was a child?mine?a boy. I took them with me to Panama. The pestilence raged there after the sack. She fell 111 and as she lay dying besought me to IT save the boy. I sent Hornlgold to her with Instructions to do her will, and he carried the baby to the village of Cuchlllo with that cross upon his breast and left him. We lost sight of him. There the next day you found him. He has English blood in his veins. lie It my son, sirs, a noble youth," sneered the old men. "Now you have given me to hfm. 'Tls not meet that the father should suffer.at the hands of the.son. $&y. I ia?v, f Morgan, i iNEER NSEND BRADY, themers," "for Low trip of Honor,** Gto. . DILLINGHAM COMPANY You shall set mo free." added the man, turning to Alvnrndo. i "Bather than that"? cried Hornlgold, viciously springing forward, knife ID i hand. He was greatly surprised at tlw immu >ei miming appeal of Ills former captain. , "Back, man!" lnteri>oaed tlie viceroy. "And were yon a thousand times bis father, were yon my brother, my own fatlier, you should nevertheless die, as it hath (teen appointed." "Can this lie true?" groaned Alvarado, turning savagely to Ilornigold. "I believe it to be." "Why not kill me Inst night, then?" "I wanted you for this minute. 'TLs a small part of my revenge?to see liitn die anil by his son's hand?a J worthy futlier, noble son"? "Silence!" ^touted I>e I.nru. "Art ( thou without bowels of compassion, man? Alvnrndo, I pity tliee, but this makes the promise of the hour void. Nay, my daughter," as Mercedes came forward to entreat lilni, "I'd rather slay thee witli my own hand than wed thee to the son of such as yon!" "My lord, 'tis Jiuit," answered Alva* rado. Ills anguish was pitiful to be* hold. "I am as Innocent of my parent* age as nny child, yet the sufferlug must he mine. The wins of the fathers are visited on the children. I did deem It yesterday a coward's act to cut the thread of my life, liut now?I cannot survive?I cannot live?and know that In my veins runs the blood of such a monster. My lord, you have been good to me. Oentlemen, you hare honored me. Mercedes, you hare loved me?O Qod! You, infamons man, you have fathered me! May the curse of God, <h.f n~i ?? ?- * uix. mum n iii/ui ,i wii unn.il, rest upon you! My mother loved this man once, 1 It seems. Well, nobly did she expiate. I go to Join her. Pray for me. Stay not 1 my hand. Farewell!" < jle rained Ida polnard. ('Let no one atop him!" cried the old Viceroy na Alvnrndo darted the weapon straight at hlg own heart, 'This were the best end," Mercodes bad stood dnxed during this conversation, but with a shriek of horror as sho saw the flash of tho blade she threw herself upon her lover and 1 strove to wrench the iltgnor from him. 1 "Alvarndo." she cried, "whatever 1 thou art, thou host say beer*! - Nay, rtaj J me first, If thon wilt!" 1 < CHAPTER XXIII. | M| . 1TE, strike, Alrarado," cried the , I A I viceroy, filled with shame and 1/^1 surprise at the sight of his , I daughter's extraordinary bold- ( ness, "for, though I love her, I'd rather ( sec her dead than married to the son of such as he. Drive borne your weapqn!" ho pried In bitter spam, "Why stay your hand? Only blood can wash out the shame she hath put upon roc before you all this day. Thou hast a dagger. Use It, I any!" , "I>o you hear my father's words, Al- ( varado?" cried Mercedes, sinking on her knees and stretching up her bands , to lilui. " 'TIS a sharp weapon. One touch will eml It all, and you can fol- J low." "Cod help me!" cried tho unhappy j young captain, throwing aside the poulard and clasping his hands to his eyes. "I cannot! Hath no one here a point for me? If J liavp deserved well of you or the state, sir, bid them strike homo." "Live, young sir," lutcrrupted Mor* , gan. "There are other women In the world. Come with me aud"? "If you are my father, you have but little time In this world," Interrupted the Bpnulard, turning to Morgan and gnashing his teeth at him. "I doubt not but you were cruel to my mother. I hate you! I loathe you! I despise you for all your crimes, and most of all for bringing me into the world. I swear to you, had I the power, I'd not add another moment t * your life. The world were better rid if you." "You liave been well trained by your Spanish nurses," cried Morgan resolutely, although with sneering mockery and hate in his voice, "and well you seem to know the duty owed by son to sire," "You hare done nothing for me," returned the young soldier. "You abandoned me. Rnch as you ere, you were my father. You cast me away to shift for myself. Had It not been for these friends here"? "Nay," said Morgan, "I thought you dead. That cursed ooe eyed traitor there toM me so, else I'd have sought you out." "Glad am I that you did not, for I have passed my life where no child of yours could hope to be?among honorable men, winning their respect, which I now forfeit because of thee." "Alvarado," said the viceroy, "tbts much will I do for thee. He shall be shot like a soldier lustead of undergoing the puuishment we had designed for blm. This much for his fatherhood." "My lord, I ask It not," answered the young man. "Sir," exclaimed Morgan, a gleam of relief passing across Ms features, for he knew, of course, that death was his only expectation, and he had greatly feared that his taking off would be accompanied by horrible torture#, "you, afc Itaat, are a father^ and I. thank \ yon." "Tm, I am a father, and a moat unhappy one." groaned Do Lara, turning toward Alvarado. "Perhaps It la well you did not accompltah your purpose of self destruction after all, my poor friend. As I said before, Spain hatl) need of you. You may go back to the old country beyond tho great sea. All here will keep your secret; my flavor wlH be of service to you even there. Yon can make a new career with a new name." "And Mercedes?" asked Alvarado. "You have no longer any right to question. Ah, well. It la just that you should hear. The girl goes to g convent. The only cloak for her la hi our holy religion?and so ends the great race of De Lama!" "No, no," pleaded Mercedes; "send me not there! Let me go with hhn!" Kite stepped nearer to htm, beautiful and beseeching. "My father," she urged, "you love me." She threw her arms around his neck and laid her head upon his breast. Upon It her fatlior tenderly pressed his baud. "You loved my mother, did you uot V she continued. "Think of her. Condemn me not to the living death of a consent?away from him. If that man be his father? and I cannot believe It; there Is some mistake; 'tis Impossible that anything so foul should bring Into the world a man so noble?yet I love him! You know him. You have tried blhi n thou "nua times. He tins no qualities of his base ancestry. Ills mother nt least died like a Spanish genlJ#voman. My lords, gentlemen, some of you have known me from my childhood. You have lived In our house and have fob 'God help net1 cried the captain. ' I cannot 11 lowed the fortunes of my father; you have grown gray In our service. Intercede for me!" "Your excellency," said old Don Caesar de Agramoute, a man who, as Mercedes had said, bad literally grown gray in the service of tho viceroy and wbo .was of birth scarcely Inferior to bis own, "the words of the Lady Mercedes move me profoundly. By your grace's leave, I venture to say that she bath spoken well and nobly, and that the young Alvarado. whom we liavo seen Id placw that try men's Bonis to the extreme, hath nlwayn comported himself m a Spanish gentleman should. This may be n lie. Will you maiden to the man. I am an Iter, sir, and have done you some service. I would cheerfully stake my life to maintain his honor and his gentleness at the sword's |?oint." "He speaks well, Don Alvaro!" cried Captain Gayoso, another veteran soldier. "I Join my plea to that of my rotnrade, l>on Caesar." "Gentlemen, I thank you,-' said Alvarado gratefully, looking at tho little group. "This Is one sweet use of my adversity. I knew hot I was so befriended"-? "You hear, you hear, my father, what these noble gentlemen say?" Interrupted Mercedes. "But" continued Alvnrado sadly, "It Is not meet that the blood of the princely De J.arus should he mingled with mine. Itather the ancient house should fall with all Its honors upon It than be kept alive by degradation. I thank jrou, but !t cannot be." "Your excellency, we humbly press you for un answer," persisted Agramonte. "Gentlemen?and you have lndee<l proved yourselvea generous and gentle soldiers?I appreclato what you say. Your words touch me profoundly. I know how you feel, but Alvarado Is right." "8lr," exclaimed a thin, faint old voice from tbe outskirts of the room, "no base blood runs In the reins of that young man. You are all mistaken." "Death and fury!" shouted Morgan, who was nearer to him. "It Is the priest! Art alive? Scuttle me, I struck you down. I do not usually need to give a second blow." "Who Is this?" asked De I,nra. "Back, gentlemen, and give him access to our person." The excited men made way for a tail, pain, gaunt figure of n man dad in tbe liablt of a Dominican. As ha crossed hia thin hand* on his breast and bowed low before tbe viceroy the men marked a deeply scarred wound upon his shaven crown, a wound recently made, for It was still raw and open. The man tottered as he stood there. "Now, sir," said the viceroy as tbe priest seated himself on a stool arblcli willing hands had placed for him, "your name." "Fra Antonio de las Cases, your excellency, a Dominican, from Peru, bound for Hpaln on the plate galleon, the Alralrante Recalde, captured by that man. 1 was stricken down by his blow as I administered absolution t? the mother of the young captain. 1 recovered and crawled Into the woods for concealment, and when I saw yom soldiers, your excellency, I followed, but slowly, for I am an old man and sore Wounded." "Would that my blow had bit deeper, thou false priest!" roared Morgan In furious rage. "Be still!" commanded tho old vice roy sternly. "Speak but another word until I give you leave and I'll have you mm itrw wpcta. holi ?????????? faOe^; irbcn yW'cwBtTWo the ball. To? beard"? "Some of ow eonremtloo, air, from which I feathered that this unfortunate man"?pointing to Morgan, who aa one of the chief nctors In the transaction had been placod In the front rank of tbo circle, although tightly bound and guarded by the grim soldiers?"claimed to be the father of the brave young soldier." "Aye, and he hath established the claim," answered T)e Lara. "Nay, my lord; that cannot be." "Why not, alrV Interrupted Alrarado. stepping forward. "Because It Is not true." "Thank God! Thank Qod!" cried Airnrndo. Indeed. he almost shouted In Ills relief. "lltrw know you this?" asked Mercedes. "My lady. KcntlM nil, I hare proof Irrefutable, lie Is not the child of that wicked man. His father Is"? "I core not who," cried Alvnrndo, " en though he were the meanest and poorest peasant, so he were nil honest rann." "My lord," said the priest, "he was a noble gentleman. Your excellency," turning to the viceroy, "his blood Is ss noble as your own." "Ills name?" said the old man, who had stood unmoved In the midst of the tumult. "Captain Alvnrndo that was," cried the Dominican, with an Inborn love of the dramatic lu bis tones, "stand forth. My. lord and lsdy and gentles nH. I present to you I)oU Francisco de (luznian, die sou of bis oxeellency the for- | mer governor of I'nnnmn and of Ills wife, Isabella Zcroga, a noble and virtuous lady, though of humbler walk of llfo and circumstances than her husband." "It Is a lie!" shouted Ilorulgold. "He is Morgan's son. He was given to 111c as aneh. I left him at Cuchlllo. You found lilui, sir"? ne appealed to-the viceroy. "My venerable father, with due respect to you, air, we require something more than your unsupported statement to establish so great a fact," said the viceroy. "Your ernro yivnnWc. ~?n " 1' ? ?.? .'fv?n vjii, mini JlUl* gran, clutching nt lila hope still. "I require nothing more. I see and boll ere," interrupted Mercedes. "But I want proof," sternly said her father. "And you shall have It," answered the priest. "That cross he wears"? "Am I am about to die," exclaimed Morgan, "I saw his mother wear it many a time, and she put it upon his brcaet!" "Not this one, sir," said Fru Antonio, "but Its fellow. There were two sisters In the family of Zerega. There were two crosses made, one for-each. In ah evil hour the elder sister warrted you"? "We did, indeed, go through some mockery of a ceremony," muttered Morgan, +JmLS8& I know not?In Maracalbo you married her. You were forced to do so before you received her consent. One of my brethren who performed the service told me tha tain-. After you took her liwny from awacRtno Wf old ratner, broken hearted Rt her defection, sought asylum in Panama with the remaining daughter, and there she met the governor, I>on Francisco de Guzman. lie loved her, he wooed and won her, and nt last he married her, but secretly. 8he was i?oor and humble by comparison with him; ahe had only her beauty and her virtue for her dower, and there were reasons why It were better the marriage should be concealed for awhile. ''A. child was born. You were thut child, sir. Thither canje this man with his blqqdy marauders, In his train ffere. Ills wretched wife and her own hoy. an Infant, born but a short time before that of the governor. Do Guzman sallied out to meet them und was killed at the bead of his troops. They burned Panama and turned that beautiful city Into a hell like unto I>a Guayra. I found means to secrete Isabella de Guzman and her child. The plague raged In the town. This man's wife died. He gave command to Ilornigold to take the child away. He consulted me, as a priest whose life he had Tb? print rested himeell on s (tool tfflk I spared, am to what were best to do 1 with IiIid, and I Advised Cuchlllo, but his child died with Its mother before > It could be takeu away. i "Isabella do Guzman was 111. I deemed It wise to send her infant away. I urged her to substitute her child for the dead body of the other. Intending to provide for Its reception at Cuchlllo, and she gave her child to the sailor. In the confusiou and teri ror It must have been abandoned by > the woman to whom It was delivered; she, It was supposed, perished when i the buccaneers destroyed the place out of sheer wantonness when they left Panama. I fell sick of the fever short1 ly after and knew not what happened. The poor mother was too seriously 111 , to do anything. It was months ere we i recovered and could make inquiries for the child, and then It had disappeared, . and we found no trace of it. You, sir," I pointing to ilornlgokl, "had gone away I with the reet. There was none to tell r us anything. We.neyfr heajd of It again and supposed It dead. ' "And my child, sir priest?" cried Morgan. "What l?eenuie of It?" "I burled It In the same nve with it* poor mother, with the v >ss on Its breast. May Ood have uie;* y on their on Is!" "A pretty tale, indeed!" sneered the buccaneer. "It accounts in some measure for the situation." said the viceroy, "but I must l?nve further proof." "Patience, noble sir, and you shall hare It. These crosses were of cunning construction. They open to those who know the secret. There la room lu each for a small writing. Each maiden, so they told me, put within her own , cross her marriage lines. If this cross hath not been tampered with It should bear within Its recess the attestation ( of the wedding of Francisco de Cuz man and Isabella Zerega." "The cross hatb never left my person," said Alvarado, "since 1 can remember." "And I can bear testimony," said the viceroy, "that he hath worn It constantly since n child. Though It was large and heavy, I had a superstition that It should never leave his person. Know you the secret of the cross?" "I do, for it was shown me by the woman herself." "Step nearer, Alvarado," said Pe Lara. "Nay, sir," said the aged priest us Alvarado came nearer him and made to take the cross from his breast; "thou hast worn It ever there. Wear It to the end. I can ojmmi It as thou staiulest." lie reached up to the carven cross depending from the breast of the young niuu bending over hint. "A pretty story!" sneered Morgan again, "llut had I aught to wager I'd offer it with heavy odds that that cross holds the marriage Hues of my wife." "Thou wouhlst lose, sir, for see, gentlemen," cried the priest, manipulating the crucifix with his long, slender fingers and finally opening it, "the opening! And here is a bit of parchment! Head It, sir." lie handed It to the viceroy. The ohl noble, lifting It to the light, scanned the closely written, faded lines on the tiny scrap of delicate parchment. " 'Tls n certificate of marriage of"? lie paused. "Marin Zeregn," said Morgan triumphantly. "VnV ? anon.nrn.1 41 ? -1.1 ? - r ?ugi?vtcu IUC UIU 111(111 (111(1 his trlunifih rang In his voice?"of Isabella Zorega and Francisco do Guzman and signed by Fra?An?tonlo! Was It thou?" "Even no, sir. I married the mother, as I burled her yestereve upon the Band." " 'Tls a fact established," said the viceroy, satisfied at last. "Don Francisco de Guzman?Alvarado that was? thy birth and legitimacy are clear and undoubted. There l>j- your side stands the woman you have loved. If you wish her now I shall be honored to call you my son." I nttvT&rVori'Wlfn honorable gentleman were Joy enough, but when thou glvcst me Donna Mercedes"? Tie turued, and with a low cry the girl fled to his arms. He drew her close My lather I My mother I to him and laid his hand upon her head, and then he kissed her before the assembled cavaliers, who broke into enthusiastic shouts and cries of happy approbation. "There's more evidence yet," cried the priest, thrusting his hand into the bosom of his habit nud drawing forth a glittering object. "Sir, I took this from the body of Bister Maria Christina, for upon my advice she entered upon the service of the holy church after her bereavement, keeping her secret, for there was naught to be gained by Its publication. She killed herself upon the sands rather than give aid and comfort to'this man and his men. Here, young sir," said the priest, opening the locket, "are the pictures of your father and mother. See, cavaliers, some of yon knew Don Francisco de Guzman and can recognize him. That Is his xrito Rlitt UHB rnilllff nn/t Imrl <rnl/lon hair like thine, my Hon, In those (lays. You are the express Image of her person as I recall It." "My father! My mother!" erle<l Alvarado. "Look, Mercedes; look, your excellency, and gentlemen, all! But her body, worthy father?" "Even as her soul hath gone out Into the new life beyond, her body was drawn out Into the great deep at the call of God?but not unblessed, senors, eren as she went not unshrlven, for I knelt alone by her side, unable by my wounds and weakness to do more service, and said the office of our holy church. "That which was lost Is found again, l^et us rejoice and praise God for his mercy. Donna Mercedes, gentlemen, my blessing on Senor de Guzman and upon ye all. Henedlcite!" said the priest, making the sign of the cross. CHAPTER XXIV. -rT>II> bless me also, my father!" I A I cried Mercedes, kneeling by \f \ I Alvarado's side. CJU "Most willingly, my fair daughttt*," answered the old man. "A fit helpmate Indeed thou hast shown thyself for so brave a soldier. By your leave, your excellency. You will Indulge an old man's desire to bless the marriage of. the m a* he did that o.f the mother. No obstacle, I take It. now exist* to prevent this most happy union." "None," answered the viceroy as the young people rose an?l stood l>efore him, "and Kltul I am that this happy solution of our difficulties has come to pass." "My lord," said Agrumonte, "there is not one of us who would not Rive all he possessed to stand in the young I*ord de Guzman's place." "Well, well," continued the old man, "when we have restored order In the town we shall have a wedding cereninnr?uov * "Your excellency, there Is one more thing yet to be done," said Alvarado as soon as he could l>e heard. "Art ever making objections. Captain Alvarndo?Don Francisco, that Is. We might think you hnd reluctance to ttM bridal," exclaimed the viceroy in some little surprise. "What Is It now*/" "The punishment of this man." "I gave him Into your hands." "Damme!" shouted old ilorulgoltL "I wondered If In all this fathering and paotberlng and sweetheartlng and giving in marriage be had forgot"? "Not so. The posti>oncincnt but makes it deeper," answered Alvarado gravely, "ltest satisfied." "And 1 shall have my revenge in full meusuro?" "In full. In overflowing measure, senor." "Do you propose to shoot me," asked the buccaneer chieftain coolly, "or behead me 7" "You shall sec." "When ?" "Tomorrow." I The somber, sinister, although unknown purpose of the Spaniards hud new terrors lent to It by the utter in ability of the buccaneer to foresee what was to he his punishment, lie was a man of the highest courage, the oivmwi mini, jci in mat uour lie wax astonicd. 1118 knees smote together; he clinched his teeth in n vnln effort to prevent their chattering. All his deviltry, his assurance, his fortitude, his strength, seemed to leave him. lie stood before them siuldeuly an old, a broken uian, facing a doom portentous and terrible, without a spark of streugth or resolution left to meet It, whatever it might be. And for the first time In his life he played tho craven, tho eowurd. lie moisteucd his dry lips and looked eagerly from one face to another In the dark and gloomy rlng that encircled hlui. "Lady," he said at last, turning to Mercedes as the most likely of his enemies to befriend him, "you are a woman. You should be tender hearted. You don't want to see au old man, old enough to be your futher, suffer some unknown, awful torture? Plead for me? Ask your lover, lie will refuse you nothing now." "An eye for an eye," said the girl slowly, "a tooth for a tooth, life for life, shame for shame," her voice rising until it rang through the room. 1,1 y ruined sisters, from without, borne hither on the nlglit wind, I refuse to Intercede for you, monster. For myself, the Insults you have put upon me I might forgive, but not the rest. The taking of one life like yours cannot repay." "You hear?" cried Alvarado. "Tako him nwav." "One moment," cried Morgan. "Holy father, your religion, It tenches to forgive, they nay. Intercede for me!" Ills eyes turned witli faint hope toward the nged priest. I "Not for such as thou," answered the old man, looking from him. "I could forgive this," he touched his battered tonsure, "and all thou hast done against me and mine. What suffering comes upon me I con bear, but thou hast filled the cup of Iniquity and must drain It to the dregs. Ilark ye?the weeping of the desolated town! I cannot interfere! They that take the sword shall perish by It. It Is so decreed. You believe not In God"? "I will! 1 do!" cried the buccaneer, clutching at the hope. "I shall pray for thee; that Is all." "Ilornigold," cried the now almost frenzied man, his voice hoarse with terror and weakness, "they owe much to you. Without you they had not been here. I have wronged you grievously, terribly, but I ntone by this. Beg them not to let me go, but only to kill me where I stand! They will not refuse you. Had it not been for you this man would not have known his fatlier. He could not have won this woman. You have power. You'll not desert nn old comrade In his extremity? Think, we have stood together sword In hand and fought our way through all obstacles In many a desperate strait ?thou ami I, old shipmate. By tho memory of that old association, by the love you once l?ore ino and by that I gave to you, ask them for my death, here?now?at once!" "You ask for grace from me!" snarled Ilornlgold savagely, yet triumphant. "You?you hanged my brother"? "I know, I know! 'Twos a grievous error. 1 shall be punished for all. Ask them to shoot me?hang me"? He slipped to his knees, threw himself upon the lloor and lay groveling at Hornlgold's feet. . [to n onmatim.) The Ruling Passion. "What Is Jenks sore about?" "He saw an old inun who could hardly walk crossing the street, and he didn't have his automobile along." Distributing His Credit. "Your clothes always fit bo well you must always patronize the same tailor." "I>o you take me for a millionaire7" A Better Way. "Did lie make his money grinding down the faces of the poor?" ! "No; grinding down the faces of tho rich. lie la a beauty doctor."