The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922, July 30, 1912, Image 6
I, I': r n i. I: i, h FLAME by LOUIS JOSEPH VANC ILLUSTRATIONSBY ELLSWORTflYOTJNG COPYRIGHT 1909 By LOUI$05EPH VANE. ! U 8YNOP8I8. The ntory ononn at Monta Carlo with VUli IVIDIIliD W llllUinUi f llllll.o.jr ..v. lanco and nomcthlng of a Rambler, In Ills liotel. leaning an the bnlcony ho scos a beautiful girl who nuddenly ontnni the clevutor and paefips from ,slf;ht. At the eamlni! table O'Rourko notices two men Torenco O'ltourko, a military freo Wtchlng him. Ono Is the Hon. Dertln Glynn, while his companion 1i Viscount pen Trnbcii, a duollst. The vlncount telln film the French' government has dlroc.ted him to O'Rourko an a man who would undertake a secret mission. At his apart ment, O'llourko. who had agreed to un dertake the mission, finds a mysterious letter. The viscount arrives, hands a sealed package to O'llourko, who Is not to open It until on tho ocean. A pair of dainty slippers aro soon protruding from undor a doorway curtain. Tho Irishman finds tho owner of the mysterious fcot to fco his wife, Ilratrlx. from whom he had run away a year provlous Thoy aro reconciled, and opening the letter ho finds that a Rangoon law linn offers him 300,000 pounds for a Jowol Known as mo Pool of Flamo and left to him by a dy ing friend, but now In keeping of ono named Chambrot In Algorlo, O'Rourko Worsts the nobloman In a duel. Tho wlfo bids O'Rourko farewell and ho promlsos to soon return with Uio reward. Ho dis covers both Olynn and tho viscount on board tho ship. As ho finds Chambrot thero Is an attack by bandltB and his friend dies tolling O'Rourko that ho has loft tho I'ool of Flame with tho governor general, who at sight of a signet ring Ktvcn tho rolonol will dellvor over the Vwel. Arriving at Algeria the Irishman nds the governor gonoral away. Des Trebos makes a mysterious appointment, md tolls O'Rourko that he has gained lossesslon of tho Jowol by Btcallng It. In i duol O'Rourko mustard tho viscount, locures possession of tho Pool of Flamo and starts by Hhlp for Rangoon. Ho finds tho captnln to bo a Hmuglr who tries to Float tho Jowol. It Is finally secured by tho captain and O'Rourko escapes' to land. With tho aid of 0110 Danny and his swoothonrt, O'Rourko recovers tho Pool tot Klnino. On board ship onco mora, bound for) Rangoon, a mystorlous lady nppears CHAPTER XIX. Tho wandoror had como upon Mrs. prynno but onco slnco ho had board ed tho Panjnnb, That morning, him olf early natlr becnttso of his vaguo ' misgivings, ho had dlscovorcd hor on tho hurrlcano dock of tho liner; an In conspicuous, alight flguro In tho shad ow of a life-boat, loaning upon tho tall and gazing with (ho fancied) troubled eyes, out and across tho wnsto bolow Ismalln. Though sho must havo been con bcIoub of noarlng footstops, sho had uot stirred, and ho hnd passed on, paining but a fugltlvo gllmpso of a profilo sweetly sorlous; nor had sho appeared olthor at broakfast or lunch eon. A. olrcumstnnco which lod him to Hurmloo that sho did not court ob servation: nn Idiosyncrasy which ueomod passing strango In a woman eo fair. Ho told hlmsolf that Bho woro nn nlr of wutchfulnoss, of vaguo expec tancy, n8 though she, like himself, feared somo untoward mishap; that sho had tho mannor of ouo definitely npprohonslvo, constantly on guard against somo unforeseen peril. Now, ho askod hlmsolf, what could It bo7 What threatened her? And wfly? Ho dimly promised hlmsolf tho plcaBuro of hor acquaintance, rolylng In tho rapid Intimacy that springs up botwoon strangers on n long voyago, with a still moro Indefinite Intention of putting hlmsolf at her sorvtco In any cnuso that sho might bo pleased to uaroo, provisionally: sho must not Jntorforo with his plans for reaching Han goon "In ninety days." That night ho was hoping to And tho lady at dlnnor; but though tho chip's company was smell, ho failed to boo her In tho saloon, at olthor tho captain's, tho chief 0 Ulcer's or tho doctor's tablo; nor, so far as ho could dotormlno, was sho taking tho air on dock. Was It possible thou, that ho hnd boon right, that sho had n reason Equally as compelling as his own for mocludlng herself? Or, was It simply '(and Infinitely moro probably) that airs. Prynno was lndlsposod, nn ener vated victim of oxcosslvo boat? 1 Tho laftor conjecturo proved ap parently tho right ono, Mrs. Prynno falllpg to nppoar during tho two fol lowing days, whllo tho Panjnnb. was rocking down tho Red Soa channel; and O'llourko grow Interested enough (he had little oIbo to occupy his mind, for a duller voyago ho had nevor lenown) to glvo Danny permission to jrarsuo his Inquiries: with nn Injunc tion, howovor, prohibiting too lavish an oxpcndlturo of tho boy's wealth of affection. Whereupon Danny return ed with tho Information that the mis tross of C3clle, tho maid, was suffer ing from boat exhaustion. This was entirely reasonable, O'Rourko accopted tho demolition of tils airy castlos of Romanco, lnughod at himself, In part was successful In putting tho woman out of mind; doubtless, In tlino, ho would havo dono 60 altogether, had not tho lndy choBon ' to tnko tho nlr tho night that tho Panjnnb negotiated tho Straits of Dab-ol-Mandob. For on that snmo might, O'RourkOi hlmsolf wakeful, was minded to sit up and watch tho lights of Porlm Island heavo Into view, O'Rourko, In a dock-chair an tho POOjW EMr7 mHPi (.&m.)3nmim - -" -" r m i. .. mt Btnrboard sldo, woll cloaked In tho shadow of tho deck abovo, watch ed tho other pnsseugors, ono by ono, qulot their cbattor, yawn, Btretch and slip bolow to stuffy statorooms. Ho Buffered a dreamy oyo to rovo whoro It would, greedy of tho night's suporb Illusion. Four bolls two o'clock chimed upon his consciousness like a physical shock. Ho verified the hour by his watch and, reluctantly enough, ngreod that It was tlmo ho got himself to bod. Ho half roso from his chair, then sank back with an lnaudlblo catch of his broath. Without warning tho ap parition of a white-clad woman had Invaded tho promenade dock. For an Instant ho hnrdly credited his oyos, then, with a nod of recognition, ho tdontlflod Mrs. Prynno. Unquestionably unconscious of bis prosonco In tho ohadow, sho foil to pacing to and fro. Now nnd again, sho stopped, nnd with chin cradled In her small hands, olbows on tho rail, watchod tho approaching cliffs of Arnbla; then, with perhaps a sigh, re turned to hor untlmoly constitutional. Pnrtly becnuso ho had no wish to startlo hur, partly becauso ho was glad to watch unobBorvod (ho had a raro oyo for beauty, tho O'Rourko), tho wanderer sat on without moving, stirred only by active curiosity. Tho strangoness of hor appoarauco upon dock at such an hour fascinated his Imagination no loss than hor porson hold hla oyo. Ho gavo himself over to vain and profitless speculation. . . . Why, ho wondorod, should sho koop to her cabin tho grentor part of tho evening, only to tnko tho air when none might bo supposed to obaorvo hor? Why, If not to cscapo such observa tion? Then, ho told himself, ho must bo light In his supposition that sho had something to fear, somoono to avoid. What or whom? What was It all, what tho mystery that, as ho watchod her, seomod to grow, to cling about hor llko BOino formless, lm palpablo gnrmont? J2vonta consplrod to wcavo tho man Into tho warp and woof of her affairs; moro quickly than ho could grasp tho roason for his sudden action, ho found hlmsolf a-foot and dnshlng Aft at top spood. But an Instant gone Mrs Prynno had passod him, unmolested and wrnppod In hor splendid Isola tion; and thon from tho after part of tho dock ho had heard a slight and guarded cry of dlBtrcBB, and n small scuffling Bound. In two breaths ho was by hor Bide nnd found hor struggling dosporatcly In tho nrms of n lascar a deck-hand ou tho stoamor. At first tho strangonoBB of tho bust noss bo nmazod O'Rourko that ho pausod and hold Ills hand, briefly footodIn action. For aUhough It was apparont that sho had been caught off her guard, wholly unprepared against assault, nnd whllo sho struggled fierce ly to break tho lascar's hold, tho wom an still uttorod no cry. A slnglo scroam would havo brought hor aid; yot sho hold hor tonguo. The two, tho womnn'a slight, white figure and tho lascar's gaunt and sin ewy one, stralnod and fought, swaying silently In tho shadows, tonsoly, with tho offoct of a fragment of some dlB ordorod nightmare Dut thon, as tho laacar soomod about to ovorpower his victim, O'Rourko, eloctririod, sprang upon, tho man's back. With ouo strong arm doftly ho ombrncod tho fellow, nn olbow honcath his chin forcing his bond up nnd back. With tho othor hand O'Rourko nono too gontly toro away an arm onclrcllng tho woman. Thon wronchlng tho two npart, ho sorit a kneo crashing Into tho smnll of tho lascar's bnck, all but broaklng him In two, and bo flung him sprawling Into tho scuppers. Without a word tho man slid upon his shoulders n full half-dozen feet, whllo O'Rourko had a momentary gllmpso of his fnco In tho moonlight dnrk-oklnnod and sinister of expres sion with Its whlto, glaring pyoballs. Thon, in ouo bound, ho wns on his feet again and springing lltholy back to tho attack: and as ho camo on a jag ged glonm of moonlight ran llko light ning down tho sinuous and formldablo longth of a krla, most deadly of knives. O'Rourko fell back a paco or two. Ills own hnnds wero empty; .bo had nothing but naked fists and high cour ngo to pit against tho lascar and his krls. Keenly alert, ho throw hlmsolf Into a poso of defenco. Hut O'Rourko had forgotten tho woman; It wns enough that ho had mado posslblo hor escapo, and ho had no thought othor than sho bad fled. It was, thoreforo, with as much surprise as relief that ho caught tho glimmer of hor whlto flguro as sho thrust hor Bolt boforo him nnd saw tho lascar bring up in tho mlddlo of a leap, his noBo not an inch from tho muzzlo of -&Jftt3P ' MBH. y T?S 33r- - an army Wobloy of respect-compelling caliber. Slmiltancously, ho heard hor voice, cloar and lnclslvo if low of tone: "Drop that knife!" Tho krls shivered upon tho deck. "Faith I" murmured tho Irishman, "and what mannor of woman Is this, now?" Tho lascar stood as rigid as though carven out of stone, long, gnunt legs shining softly brown beneath his cool, dazzling whlto cummerbund, tho up por half of his body lost In tho Bhadow of tho dock, a gray blur standing for his turban. O'Rourko stepped forwnrd, with a quick movement kicking tho krls over board, and would have solzod tho fel low but that tho woman Intervened. Sho said decisively: "It you please no." Bewildered, O'Rourko hesltatod. "I beg your pardon " ho said In con fusion. Sho did not reply directly; her at tention was all for tho lascar, whom her revolver still covered. To him, "Go!" sho said sharply, with a elgnln cant motion of tho weapon. Tho lascar stopped back, with a sln glo wrlgglo losing hlmsolf In tho denso shadows. O'Rourko fairly gasped amazement at tho woman, who, on hor part, re treated slowly until hor back touched tho railing. Sho rcmalnod vory quiet and thoroughly mistress of horsolf, be traying agitation only by slightly quickened breathing nnd cold pallor. Her eyes racked tho deck on either hand: It was plain that sho had no fnlth In tho lascar, perhaps apprehend ed his return; yot her splendid con trol of hor norves ovoked tho Irish man opon admiration. "Faith I" ho cried, breaking tho tonso cllenco, " 'tis yourself shames mo, madam, with tho courago of yol" Sho flashed him a glance, nnd laughed slightly. "Thank you," she returned. "I'm suro I don't know whoro 1 should bo now but for you." "'Twas nothing at all. But yo'U f ( ' l Found Her Struggling Desperately In the Arms of a Lascar. pardon mo for suggesting that yo havo made a mistake, madam." "A mlstako?" sho ochood; and then, thoughtfully: "No, I shouldn't call It that." "Letting htm go, I mean. Neither of us, I believe, could woll idontlfy him. Whon yo roport this outrago to tho captain, whom will yo nccuso?" "I shall accuse no ono," sho said qulotly, "for I shan't roport tho af fair." "Yo will not " he cried, nstoundod. "Indeed, I am quite sincoro; I shall do nothing whatover about It It Is, moreover, a favor which I shall ask of yqu, to suy nothing of tho matter to auyono." O'Rourko hesltatod, unwilling to be llovo that ho had heard aright "Bollovo me," sho was saying earn- OBtly, "I havo good reason for mak ing a request so unnccountable to you." "But but Mrs. Prynno !". "Oh, you know mo thon 7" sho inter rupted shnrply. And hor look was curious and Intent. "I 'tis faith!" O'Rourke stammer ed. He folt his face burn. "Mo valet told mo," he confessed miserably. " 'Tis a bit of flirtation he's boon hav ing with your maid, Cccllo, I bcllove, madam." "Ah, yes." She seemed unaccount aby relieved. "You, then. aroColonol O'Rourko?" Ho bowed. "Toronco O'Rourke, madam, and at your eorvlcc, bellovo mo." "I am vory glad," Bho Bald slowly, eyeing him deltberatoly, "that, slnco I had to bo aided, It camo through ono of whom I havo hoard so much " "Faith, Mrs. Prynno!" "And I thank you a second tlmo, very heartily!" Sho offered him hor hand, and smiled bewltchlngly. " 'Tis embarrassing me ye aro," ho protested. "Faith, to bo thanked twlco for so slight a service! I can only wish that I might do more " "It is possible," sho said, apparent ly not In tho loast dlspleasod by his presumption "It Is posslblo that I may take you at your word, Colonel O'Rourko." In her eyes, Intent upon his, ho fancied that ho recognized an amused flicker, with, perhaps, a trace of deep er emotion: the kindling interest of a woman in a strong man, with whose signals he was not unfamiliar. Pride and his conceit stirred In his breast. " 'Twould bo tho dollght of me life," he told hor in an ecstasy. "Don't bo too sure, I warn you, colonel." Her mannor was now archf hor smllo entirely charming. "It might bo no light servlco I should require of you." "Ye couldn't ask ono too heavy. . . . But 'Us weary ye aro, Mrs. Prynno?" ho Inquired, solicitous. "Very." Thero was In fact an In definite modulation of weariness In her voice. "I'm only a woman," sho said faintly, with a little gesture of doprocatlon; "nnd my ways aro hedged about with grave perils " " 'Tis tho O'Rourke would gladly bravo them nil for ye, madam," ho de clared gallantly. "Command mo what ye will." Sho lifted hor gaze to his, coloring divinely thero in tho moon-glamor. He looked Into hor curiously bowltchlng eyes and saw thero an appeal and a strango little tender smile. Her head was so near his shoulder that he was awaro of the vague, alluring porfumo of her hair. Hor scarlet lips parted . . . And he becamo suddenly aware that It behooved him to hold himself woll In hand. It wero an easy mat ter to imaglno hlmsolf swept off his feet, Into a whirl of infatuation, with a llttlo encouragement And ho was not unsophisticated enough to fail to seo that encouragement would not be lacking if ho choso to recognize it. "Faith." ho told hlmsolf, "I'm think Ing 'twould bo wiser for mo to tako to mo heels and run boforo ... ." Ho ,wa3 spared tho Ignominious ne cessity of flight In two breaths thoy showed two very different pictures. Now thoy stood nlono on tho dead whlto dock, alono with tho night, tho sea, tho stars, tho sllenco nnd tho moonlight: O'Rourko a bit dismayed and wary, but as curious as any man in such a caso; tho woman apparent ly yielding to n Buddon fascination for him, Bwaylng a llttlo toward hlra as If inviting tho rofugo of his arms. . . . And now she Btnrted away, clutching at hor Ilenrt with a llttlo choking cry of alarm; whllo beneath them tho vessel was still quivering, with a harsh yet doadonod dotonntlon llko on explosion, together with a grinding crash and shriek of riven steel somowhoro deep In tho hold. Inexpressibly dismayed, thoy stared with wide and questioning eyes at ono another, through a long mlnuto filled with nn Indescribable uproar: a succo slon of shocks and thumps In tho in' terlor of tho vessel gradually dimin ishing in severity while, in a pande monium of clamorous voices, tho liner, llko a Btrlcken thing, hesitated in its southward surge, then slowly limped into a dead halt on tho faco of tho waters. . . . CHAPTER XX. O'Rourko's first fears wero for the woman, his first words a Ho designed to reassure hor. "What what does It mean?" Bho gasped faintly, her faco as whlto as marble, hor oyos wide and terrified. "Sure, I'm thinking 'tis nothing at all," ho .answered readily, with a smile amending, "nothing of any great con sequence, that Is to say. Permit mo to escort yo to your cabin." "I'm not afraid," Mrs. Prynno intor Jocted. "Faith, I seo that, madam. But your maid, now ? Would it not bowoll to return to your stateroom and qulot hor, whilst I'm ascertaining tho cause of this trouble? I promise to advise yo Instantly, whether there's dangor or not." "You're very thoughtful," she re turned. "I'm suro you're right. Thank you." ,Ho cscortod her to hor stateroom and left her at tho door, remarking Its number and renewing his pledge to return In ton minutes moro speedily If possible. He was back In five, with a long face. Mrs. Prynne answored Instantly his double-knocked summons nnd, step ping out quickly, closed tho door tight In tho fraction of a second that it was wide, however, O'Rourito saw one side of the stateroom warm and bright with electric light, and sitting there, Cecllo tho maid, completely dressed, wldo awake and vigilant The girl was French and sullenly handsome after her kind. O'Rourke got an impression of a resolute chin and resolute eyes under level brows; and ho did not in the least doubt that she was quite pre pared to mako good and effectual uso of the revolver which she held pointed directly at tho opening. Why? From hor mistress' poise, too one arm rigid at hor side, the hand con cealed in tho folds of her gown O'Rourko divined that aho was alert, armed, on her guard no less than the maid. But sho left him no time to puzzlot over the mystery. "Well?" sho demanded breathlessly. " 'Tla as I thought, Mrs. Prynno. A cylinder-head has blown off and dono no end of damage. We're crippled, If In no danger. The other screw will tako us far as Aden, but there we'll have to wait for tho next boat." Mrs. Prynno's face clouded with dis may. "How long a day or two?" she demanded. "Mayhap," ho replied, no less dis consolate; "mayhap as much as a week. Faith, 'tis meself that would it were otherwise, but I fear there's no mending matters." She regarded him thoughtfully for, an instant - - -., 7Then you, too, travel in haste, colo nel?" "Indeed I do bo, madam. Mo for tuno hangs upon mo haste. If I got thero" ho checked himself in time, the word Jtangoon upon his lips "too late, 'twill bo all up. I'm heavy with an urgent enterprise, madam." And ho smiled. The woman looked past him, down tho dusk of tho gangway, apparently pondering her dilemma. "What will you do?" sho inquired at longth. "Faith !' ho said, disturbed, "that's hard to say." She flashed him an Ironic look. "You mean you aro resigned to tho In evitable?"' "Be tho powers!" he cried In re 8ontmont, "I'm resigned to nothing that doesn't pleaso me. Is It that ye aBk mo aid? Suro, If yo do, neither tho inevitable nor the Impossibles shall keep yo from arriving at Bombay, and on time!" TO BE CONTINUED.) Polyglot Chicago, introduction of Polish as a In the public schools of Chi- The course cago, by Superintendent Ella Flagg Young, is an interesting experiment, though somo may regard It as a rash one. Thero Is a tendoncy among chil dren of foreign parentago to drop their native language while It would no doubt ndd to tbo general culturo of tho rising generation In our large cities if bey would retain it along with tbo prescribed studies. If tho ex periment Is successful, Mrs. Young proposes to follow it up with other languages. Thoro aro perhaps 160,000 Poles .In the city, but tbero are 14 tongues, each of which is spokon by more than 10,000 persons. Newspa pers appear In ten languages and church services are neld In twenty. In all thero aro forty different Ian guaros of dialects employed to express tho thoughts, needs and emotions ol the population. Chicago Is tho second largest Bohemian city In tbo world, tho third Swedish, tho fourth Norwo glan. tho fifth Polish nnd the fifth Gorman. If all theso aro to bo In structed In tholr national language nnd literature the city will eventually noed nn Ellhu Burrltt or a George F. Marsh to direct Its educational ac tivities. Boston Transcript Don't Forget the Walter. "Woll. our vacation is over. W Icavo for homo today." "I seo tho waiter has decorated oui tablo with rosomary." "Rosemary, oh? Ah, yes; that's foj I remembrance." SPLENDID OUTLOOK FOR CROPS IN WESTERN CANADA RELIABLE INFORMATION FROM THE GRAIN FIELDS SHOW THAT THE PROSPECTS ARE GOOD. This is tho tlmo of year whon con sldorablo anxiety Is felt in all tha northern agricultural districts as to tho probable outcome of tho growing crops. Central Canada, comprising tho Provinces of Manitoba, Sas katchewan and Alberta, with their 10,000,000 acres of wheat, oats, bar ley ana An, of which 6,000,000 acres may bo said to bo sown to wheat alone, has bocomo. a groat fac tor In tho grain markets of tho world. Besides this, government returns show that every state in tho Union has representatives In theso prov inces, and naturally tho friends ot theso representatives aro anxious to hear of tholr success. It has nevor beon Bald of that country that it Is absolutely faultless. Thero aro, and havo been, districts that havo experi enced tho vagaries of tho weather, tho snmo as In districts south of tho boundary lino between tho two coun tries, but theso are only such as aro to be expected In any agricultural country. Tho past has proven that tho agricultural possibilities of this portion of Canada aro probably moro attractive In very way than most countries where grain raising is tho chief Industry. Tho present year promises to bo evon better than past years, and In a month or six weoks It Is folt thero will be produced tho . evidence that warrants the enthusi asm of tho present. Then theso great broad acres will havo tho ripened wheat, oats, barley and flax, and tho farmer, who has been looking forward to making his last payment on his big farm will bo satisfied. At tho tmo of writing, all crops glvo tho prom ise of reaching tho most sanguine ex pectations. In tho central portion of Alberta, is said that crop conditions are tnoro favorablo than in any previous year. Heavy rains recently visited this part, and tho wholo of this grain growing section has been covered. Re ports llko tho following come from all parts: "Splendid heavy rain yesterday. Crops forging ahead. Great prospects. All grains moro than a week ahead of last year. Weather warm last week. Good rains last night" From southern Alberta tho reports to hand Indicate sufficient rain. Crops In excellent condition. Labor scarco. Throughout Saskatchewan all grains aro looking well, and thero has been sufficient rain to carry them througfr to harvest. From all portions of Manitoba there comes an assuinnco of an abundant yield of all grains. Through out southern Manitoba, whore rain was needed a few we-ks ago, there has lately been abundant precipita tion, and that portion of tho province will in all probability havo a crop to equal tho best anticipations. A largo quantity of grain was sown on tho slubble In tho newer west, which Is never a satisfactory wethod of farm ing, and may reduce the general av erage. - ."' Taken altogether, die country is now fully two weeks In advance ot last year, and in all grains the acro ages sown aro much larger than In 1911. This means that with aus picious weather tuo west will have the grandest harvest In its history. Two hundred and flfty million bushels of wheat has been mentioned as an estimate of the present growing crop, and it looks now as if that guess will bo nono too larga. Advantage. Stella Has that summer resort any views? Bella Er no; bui it Is close to tho moonlight Be Well ! The First Step Towards Good Health Is a Strong Stomach Is Your Appetite Poor Is Your Digestion Weak Is Your Liver Sluggish Theso aro Nature's warnings of stomach weakness and im pending sickness. You should try HOSTETTER'S STOMACH BITTERS AT ONCE. IT WILL HELP YOU DAISY FLY KILLER I-?,ViV it. tncti b4 kllli ill flti. Heat, dug on nmenUI,oonTenlent, cbup. tkiti aij ittioa, Md ol tneUl, cun'l ipm or tl ; OTn will Dot oil 01 Injure anything. Guaranteed etrectlre. Sold by dealers at t Kilt prepaid for IL BAEOLD S0UEBI. 180 Detail) At... Brollyo, H. Y, Nebraska Directory Attentlou. All supplies for tliu Amateur ntrtctlr frosh. Send or catalojrue iinil flnUuitiR prices THE ROBERT DEMPSTER CO 1813 Film am Stroot. Omaha. 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