K
The Last Voyage
of 15he
Donna Isabel
By Randall Parrish
Author of Bob Hampton ut Piaccr.
Illustrations, l.v Deaborn Melvill
the presldente dispatched ,wn
steam launch to convey the party to
the wharf, they decided it wouid be
inost discourteous not to attend. Lord
Darlington's membership in the house
cf lords gives him a certain official
recognition abroad which he does not
care to have lapse. The yacht's cap
tain accompanied them, and no dream
of evil befalling those left behind ever
occurred to any one of us. O senor,
tell me, what does It all mean? What
has happened?"
"I presume I must explain," I said,
regretfully, "although it Is not an
easy task by any means. You will
have confidence in me, Miss Doris?"
"I shall endeavor to do so," she re
turned, an Increasing coldness In her
voice. "But I am Lady Darlington."
"Your pardon; I supposed you to be
that gentleman's daughter."
The color swept in a wave of rich
crimson into her cheeks, the gray eyes
becoming darker.
"Nevertheless, senor, I am Lord
Darlington's wife."
Even In that moment of embar
rassment and perplexity, when I was
scarcely less agitated than herself,
this unexpected announcement of such
a relationship came to me as a shock.
Why it should, what difference it could
possibly make, I did not in the least
realize, yet I was instantly conscious
of the disappointment, of deep regret
The revelation, thus calmly, proudly
made, was bo unexpected, so destruc
tive of all my previous conceptions, as
to seem an impossibility. Could this
young, clear-eyed woman be indeed
the wife of that grim, inactive, ancient
peer of the realm?
"You apparently question the truth
of my words," she remarked, coldly
observant.
"It was only the natural surprise of
a moment, Lady Darlington," I
hastened to apologize. "The thought
of your marriage had never before oc
curred to me."
She looked directly Into my eyes,
her own plainly indignant, yet her
words strove to overcome the blunt-
ness of my speech.
"I do not feel, senor. that there
can be any necessity for discussing
my private affairs with you at present.
Enough that I am Lady Darlington,
and that I have patiently answered the
rather impudent questions you have
seen fit to ask. Now, Senor Estevan,
kindly enlighten me as to the cause
of your intrusion Into this apartment,
and your presence on board the
yacht."
Her tone had changed to imperious
ness. This was plainly a command,
and, back of the fair face fronting
me, I read strength of character and
a proud insistence long accustomed to
control. It was not fear but disdain
that darkened her gray eyes. Her
manner begged nothing it pictured
dominant command, the attitude of
one who addresses a servant, expect
ing implicit obedience.
"Lady Darlington." I began, stand
ing directly before her, and reverting
to the use of English, so as to be
certain of making my meaning suffl
clently clear, "whatever explanation I
may make cannot be pleasant, but it
shall be truthful. It is far better that
you comprehend fully the situation we
are in your own peril, as well as my
responsibility."
Her expression changed from ab
bltrary defiance to an amazement not
untlnged by a sudden development of
fear as her hands grasped the chair
back convulsively; but I went on
steadily to the end.
"I am not, as yon naturally sup
posed, a Chilean, but a native of North
America. My name is Stephens. I
was in Valparaiso under most un
pleasant circumstances, seeking vainly
to escape from the country, and
hounded by the secret police because
of my connection lately with a revo
lutionary movement along the Bolivian
frontier. The merits of that affair
need not now be discussed, but I had
become Involved in it through certain
business connections, and had at
tained Valparaiso after much hard
ship, seeking escape by sea. There I
discovered every avenue closed
against mo, ami was reduced to a des
perate plight. I was in hiding from
the governmental authorities when I
risked almost certain discovery lust
ovenlng. A little later after you left
the hotel a man who I was led to be-
Ileve represented the Peruvian gov- j
ci mill-in, npproacnou me with a
strange proposition, wblch. however,
promised immediate reloa.se from my
dangerous predicament, and, likewise,
a suitable reward for the successful
performance of a certain service. I
am a sailor, and the particular duty
required of me was to be perform-vl
upon the sea. I was asked to assumo
the position of a Peruvian naval cap
U!a. i:ic?.pacl!::tcd by siidJoii lllueos,
in tne surprise and capture of a CTitV
ean war vessel, the steam yacht Es
meralda, then supposed to be lying at
anchor, poorly guarded, in the outer
harbor off the government dorks. For
that purpose I was presented with a
Peruvian naval com mission."
My glance wandep'd from the mc-tlcr.K-
worr.na frc ntli;i me l:i jc
white 'slleuce't6 CSiesCS, who h'ad sunk
back upon the bed, her blue eyes
staring at me across the brass rail, ev
idently experiencing difficulty in trans
lating my rapid English speech.
"I had enjoyed but little opportunity
of examining the particular vessel we
were thus employed to capture, as I
dared not leave the hotel except after
nightfall," I continued, more slowly.
"Yet I knew her place of anchorage,
and that she was a steam yacht of
some 700 tons burden, schooner-rigged,
with lines promising great speed. Oth
erwise I relied entirely upon the
knowledge of the officers under me.
We boarded what I believed to be the
Esmeralda soon after midnight, over
came the small harbor watch with lit
tle difficulty, captured the engine
room, and, , by holding a gun at his
ear, persuaded the engineer to operate
his machinery in our service. The
very audacity of the attempt brought
comparatively easy success. The main
cabin had been secured by my orders
when we first arrived aboard, and I
came below Just now, after all danger
seemed far astern, to learn if any
officers were hidden away here. I had
examined all the other staterooms,
finding them empty, and at last
opened this door in my quest. Not
until I saw you did I In the slightest
realize that we were on board the
wrong vessel, nor that we were en
gaged in anything except an honorable
adventure of war."
That the hasty details of my story
both startled her and impressed her
with its truth, was evident enough, yet
her Hps curled with contempt, and
her eyes remained unbelieving.
"How many men accompanied you?"
"A crew of 20, with two officers."
"Peruvians, I presume?"
"No, madam," reluctantly, "hotch
potch dragged from the seven seas."
Her expressive face darkened, her
fingers clenching again nervously
about the chalrback.
"And you really expect me to be
lieve that preposterous tale!" she
burst forth, indignation shattering all
ordinary bounds of speech. "You
must, indeed, think very highly of my
Intelligence. You why, you are a
sea-robber, a pirate!"
My cheeks flushed at the harsh
words. I could feel the surge of blood,
yet I met her gaze quietly.
"I have told you the exact truth,
Lady Darlington, as I promised," I re
turned, seeking to speak calmly, "with
out any real hope that you would be
lieve. Yet I want you to try. It is
all bad enough as it stands, without
endeavoring to make It appear worse."
She leaned slightly forward, clearly
Impressed to some extent by the gravi
ty of my manner.
"Then prove it."
"How?"
"By steaming dlfectly badfc to Val
paraiso and delivering up this stolen
vessel to its lawful owners."
"That sounds simple enough, but
do you realize what our probable fate
would be?" '
She clasped her hands tightly, press
ing them against her breast.
"What do I care!" the contempt Jn
her voice grown bitter. "You hav
done the evil, by your own confession;
now you should pay the price. You
rescued me once from Insult, and I
iv5
"You Why, You Are a Robber, a
Pints!"
hold the remembrance of that act in
your favor. Prove yourself worthy a
woman's respect by making amends
for this wrong. Take the Hea Queen
back now, before it Is forevvr too late,
and all I can do, or that my husband
can accomplish, shall be done to save
you from punishment. Prove to mt
that your words are not false."
I hesitated, doubt and suspicion
rendering me totally incapable of clear
thinking before her Insistent demnnd.
Hir fare grew whiter as shr marked
my silence.
"So you you lied, tlun!" the cruel
word frl'ni'd from hetvirrn l.er Hps
Blinof t:nern"',lf'iiciv.
"No, I spoke the truth," I an3wered,
gripping myself sternly, "but I ques
tion my power."
"Your power? Why, you Just In
formed me you were In command."
I advanced a step forward, my man
ner respectful enough, yet she half
shrank back from my approach and
brought the protection of the chair be
tween us.
"Perhaps I may never succeed la
making you clearly comprehend my
present position," I said, soberly, "yet
I Ictcad to try, because, in truth.
teed your assi.tsuiv J i. '. ", "-'-!
need nilno. Tv.v.vy r.-. '.is a;,o.
Lady Darlington, P. v.v.3 truo I be
lieved myself to be in absolute com
mand of this vessel. Now I gravjly
suspect whether I may not be a mere
puppet, helpless In the hands of oth
ers. As I have already endeavored to
explain, it was comparatively easy for
ma to mistake this yacht for the Es
meralda. They are very much alike,
and I had enjoyed no opportunity for
closely observing either. But it is im
possible for me to conceive how the
others of my party could have inno
cently , made such an error. What
project they may have had in mind I
cannot even guess, but I believe now
the Sea Queen was deliberately cap
tured, and that I have been decoyed
into the leadership of an act of piracy.
If so, then I am only one man pitted
against 20. What I may accomplish
I have at present no means of know
ing. I must see the others, endeavor
to discover their secret purpose, and
learn whether or not I possess any
real authority on board. Lady Darling
ton, do you at least comprehend what
I mean? Do I make it clear to you
that I am in a position scarcely less
perilous than your own?"
With Hps parted and hands clenched
over her heaving breast she stood
silent, apparently deeply aroused by
my earnest appeal, yet totally unable
to repose full confidence in me. Yet
her very heBltancy was to me an en
couragement. "You certainly have every reason to
doubt me at present, madam," I
urged, with increased confidence, "yet
I mean to prove myself worthy your
trust by deeds rather than words.
Will you consent to do as I wish, at
least for the moment?"
She did not appear to know what
she had better do or say, her glance
wandering in uncertainty from my
face to the questioning eyes of the
maid. The latter leaned forward with
some eagerness.
"Surely it is best to say out, mad
ame; ze man has ze look honorable,"
her hands gesticulating despair. "An'
on ze whol' ship zcre was no one else
to help us."
"As you say, Celeste, there is no
choice;" and Lady Darlington's gray
eyes again sought mine reluctantly.
"I sincerely desire to repose complete
confidence in you; to believe you
worthy. What 13 it you wish ua
to do?"
"Merely to remain where you are,
beyond the observation of others, until
I can ascertain the exact truth of our
situation. So soon as I learn this, I
shall return with the information. Will
you accede to this?"
She lowered her head slightly, in
silent acquiescence, and, still facing
them both, I backed out of the room
and closed the door.
CHAPTER IX. 1
In Which I Learn Our Port
I sank down into the depths of an
upholstered divan without, rested my
head within my hands, and endeavored
earnestly to collect thought and nerve
tdr the coming struggle. The terrlble
ness of our situation only became
more apparent as I considered It In
the light of the discoveries already
made, and in my understanding of the
nature of those with whom I was now
associated. Neither Tuttle nor De
Nova had ever mistaken the Sea
Queen for the warship Esmeralda. It
was Impossible to conceive that these
two trained seamen could have made
such an error, or that the men under
them could have been so utterly de
ceived. Tuttle's boat came up directly
beneath the' bows, with the riding
lamps burning brightly and revealing
the name; every man aboard must
havo seen it plainly. Yet what ob
ject could have led to so desperate an
act of piracy? What part was I des
tined to play In tho final working out
of their lawless scheme?
The longer I studied over the prob
lem the more thoroughly did I become
mystified and confused. What could
these men ever hopo to accomplish In
this lawless fashion? They must be
fools or madmen. This was not the
age of piracy; every leaguo of sea was
patrolled; every port protected by
telegraphic communication. Where
could they sail? Where could they ex
pect to land? Where on all tho round
globe could they hope to go to escapo
the vengeance of British power on the
high seas? What object could poa
slbly Inspire them to so reckless an
act?
Difficult as my own situation un
doubtedly was, apparently helpless
uiuub mis crew or sea devils, with
out a man on board In whom I could
put trust, It was-rendered a thousand
times harder by the presence of those
two women. In what way could I pro
tect and srve them? I wondered if
all the crew forward wore in the plot
or were the leaders alorio Involved?
Could I count on finding a single hon
est sailor In all that riffraff who would
stand by me In revolt? There were
others on board-the three ..ttmen
and the engineer of the yacht's crew
the Chilean c.nicor captured on shore
but they were trlmmnr. f,
i , , ' " i mill
helpeg even than myself. The longer
WIU..KI11 mo darker grew tho pros
pect, the closer the cords of Fata
rrfM.-d about tne. Tlirro , ,.
In? to c'o ..X(It to f.-r:. the rot -.plrv
(To l.o C"::lnH( (1 1
More Evidence in Murder Case
- .....
(Continued from page 1.)
use cf profanity by Clarence when
he called Thacker back was sought
to be disprove by Mr. Clark and he
cited Lee Thacker's testimony be
fore tht lorcner's Jury when he
stated what Clarence had said at the
time and he did not state he heard
any profanity.
Mrs, Ed. Mitkiff callel. Lived
ncrr Union in the Thicker-Clarence
neighborhood Knew them. Saw
them the evening; before. Saw them
at the supper table talking and Jok
ing over which could eat the most.
This was at her mother-in-laws. A
check was given Mr. Clarence for
his work. Witness wrote the check.
Check identified. Could not remem
ber who asked Clarence to witness
the mark on the check, She was at
Mr. Darrough's next day. Check of
fered to show friendly relations of
Thacker and Clarence Sam Red
mon told her of the shooting. This
was at Darrough's in the house. Red
mon had been in the house before
and out a short time. She saw de
fendant after the shooting at the
house. He got on the pony not
long after the shooting could not
say how long after. Witness could
not say how long after the shooting
Clarence came to the house. Clar
ence was riding east toward the road
Also saw Carter Albln. He came to
the house, carrying a monkey
wrench. He phoned for tho doctor.
Witness could not remember
whether this was before or after
Clarence got on his horse. This wit
ness had a poor memory throughout,
although willing enough to testify.
Mr. Gerlng cross-examined. She
went to Darrough's house in the
forenoon, and helped wash the dish
es. Saw Sam Redmon and he was
telephoning for a short time. Could
not remember whether he was there
when Clarence came up. He had
left tho house and came back be
fore Clarence did. lie told her of
the trouble. Her husband was a
cousin of defendant.
By Mr. Clark. Redmon said there
had been trouble there and Clarence
had shot John Thacker.
Mrs. James Darrough called. Wife
of James Darrough. Trouble was
at their place. Witness named the
men who took dinner there thnt day.
They started out to work about one
o clock. Heard of shooting about
2:30 or 3 o'clock from Sain Redmon
who was standing about half way
between the house and the sheller.
He had been gojie from the house
about five minutes. Could not re
member Just how long It was until
Clarence ennio up. Carter Albin,
came to the house before Clarence
left. Clarence was close behind him.
He left before they left with Mr.
Thacker. Clarence said he had shot
John Thacker; he was sorry but it
couldn't be helped and he was go
ing to give himself up. He got on
his pony and started east. Did not
see him turn north. Clarence pump
ed water after dinner for the tank.
She had heard a statement of what
purported to be the facts of the
trouble from Sam Redmon. This
statement was made about one hour
later. The defendant withdrew those
answers about the statement.
Cross-examined by Mr. Gerlng.
Did not hear shots. Redmon had
been calling up men to haul corn
In the same room with witness. Clar
ence appeared sorry at the time; he
said he was after he had learned
how serious the trouble was. Wit
ness knew defendant carried a re
volver at all times. Witness and
Redman were In the court room yes
terday. Witness said Dedmon had
been living with witness and
her husband since last Oct
ober on the farm and In PlattR-
mouth.. He was employed by Mr.
Darrough to drive a team nnd the
like. lie roomed with them. She
was present nt a conversation be
tween Mr. Ramsey and Sam Red-
mon. Redmon did not go Into de
tails of the trouble when ho told
her of it. Redmon did not
"' ho had seen the entire
trouble. He had been In Missouri
and bnck a week.
(. R. Olson enlled. He was a
photographer as shown heretofore
and was shown photographs he had
taken at tho Darrough farm. He
Identified tho viewpoint from which
they were taken. Witness shown
tho several photographs and ho Iden
tified tho Brveral parties shown on
the photographs with their loca
tion thereon. Somo of tho photo
graphs were taken from tho Inside
of tho corn crib. The photographs
werP shown tho Jury.
Cross-examined by Mr. Ramsey.
Witness rould not recall who told
him what position to put his camera
In to take several of tho photo
graphs nor did ho know who several
of the men shown In the photograph
Were,
Mr. Clark then produced photo
graphs t;il;in from the Inside of the
com nib. The rnniera win placid
ns mar the vet K, it the nil)
r posMl.te. wfttirfs had loki-d
t! re vy. tl... rr; 1 i f the i rib nnd
I?,,, , rn v j., ,,,.,., , aiv J) ,,
3
unsing Underwear
-THE KIND YOU KNOW
and the kind you know to be good. ' We have sold an in
creasing amount of this splendid goods each year for the
past 12 years. There is no better Underwear made. It is
superior in elasticity and durability and that's what makes
Underwear good. We have short and long sleeves, ath
letic and lengths in Men's and Boy's. Price 50c to
$2.50. Don't take a chance. . Duy the kind you know to
be good.
UosgoH'g
"Where Quality Counts."
same position. The view was alike
and the objects shown in the photo
graphs would be visible to the nak
ed eye, the same as shown on the
photograph.
Mr. Ramsey cross-examined. The
closer a camera Is placed to u crack
between two boards, the larger the
opening appears. Tho photographs
showed tho several measurements of
the various openings Ijut they" were
so minute that a magnifying glass
would be necessary to real thorn.
J. C Petersen called. Lived in
Platts!.H)iith since 18S2; in yenrs
old knew John Clarence a number
of years ago. Met him about Jnn.
15. Knew who he wus. Met him
on Chicago Avcnue.north of tho Will
Adams place about ono mile. He
seemed to be nervous and excited
and was on horsebnek coming fast.
The horse Was warm and sweating.
Clarence said to Petersen "Come
over and see me tonight, I've shot a
man." This was about four o'clock.
Ills horse was loping. Defendant
went on. ,,,.,
Verl Kennlson called. Lived at
Union; 29 years old. Knew Clar
ence for five years. Had a conversa
tion about one year ngo in February
and March. Ho was subpoened by
the state. Met Clarence near the M.
P. railroad. He was driving a groy
mule at the time and It was kicking
and cutting up. An attempt by Mr,
Clnrk to show by the witness thct
Clarence carried a gun to protect
himself from fractious animals',
aroused a discussion between the
counsel over Its admissibility. The
objection of the state to the con
versation was sustained at this tlino.
Witness had seen gun on Clar
ence several times. He waa a very
valunblo witness and willing to tell
all he knew, apparently.
Ed. Mldklff called. Aged :;
lived near Union. Knew John P.
Thacker. Witness described Clar
ence and Thacker being nt his moth
er's house on Jan. 14, and snwlne
wood. They also had supper to
gethrr and laughed and Joked to
gether. Their relations were friend
ly apparently. Had seen Clarence
breaking horses of bad habits, such
as kicking etc., and breaking them
to ride. Witness descrllieil nr.
Mice's methods In. doing this work
and tho period of time ho had known
of it. Did not know of Mm iin.ni.
Ing horses for Thacker. Clarence
wore n gun around his waist Had
seen It outsldo his coat. Worn it
when hrenklng colts nnd horses.
Witness heard Clarence and Thack
er talking over tho 'phone. Clar
ence wnntMl to borrow a wneon of
Thacker, but the latter could not
lend It. Did not know what name
each called tho other.
Cross-examined by Mr. fierlng.
Heard the conversation from his
own homo. It was not his hnblt to
listen to conversations of other peo
ple. Clarence broke Western hor
ses which were shipped In. He wits
daring In the work, lie was nn
ndept In tho work. He broke the
horses before bo quit. His wA
ciil condition did not prevent him
doing this work. Wlln.ss did not
know why defendant Used the r---vdver.
Mr. Coring also itoh-ox;i!.i.
lie! witness Ml the method (,f ,r--'l;-
! :t,t.;...i. When vltncf r-w rj-.r
1 '
ence with a revolver It was always
on the outside. Ho did not regard
It as unusual for Clarence to carry
his gun under his coat.
Re-dlrect. Clarence had told wit
ness he carried the revolver so If he
got in a tight place ho co get
out. He was" then breaking horses.
He knew Clnrence wns a cripple and
walked with a cane. Witness was
a blood cousin of defendant. Clar
ence was crippled when a young
man. Witness also testified that
Clarence used a brace on his U-g
while shocking corn. Two of them
shucked fifty bushels per day.
Elmer Parks called. Lived east
of Union. Knew defendant and J.
P. Thacker. Present when Thacker
weighed 230 pounds about a year
and a half ago. Witness lived with
in two miles of Thacker in the last
three years. Mr. Clark sought to
show Mr. Thacker's reputation for
being a hasty temperel man and
counsel argued the admissibility of
the testimony at length.
A recess was taken at 11:50 un
til 1:30 p. m. during which time
Judge Travis asked counsel In the
rase to furnish him any authorities
they might have bearing on the ad
missibility of testimony as to Mr.
Thacker's hnBty temper.
The afternon session found, a xtn
crowd in the court room. Thera
were as before many ladies present
and the deepest Interest was mani
fested In the case. The expectation
that the defendant would take ths
stand served to bring Interest and
curiosity to fever heat, rtlarence
occupied his usual seat long o-ifore
the session opened, lie still keep-.i
his confident air and faith In his
ultimate acquittal was manifested tn
his countenance. i ,,t
It was 1:40 p. m. before J.i.Jga
Travis ascended the bench. At the
same time the jury was brought In.
Judge Travis amounced he would
sustain the objection of the state?.
Mr. Parks recalled. Knew Thnck
er's reputation In the commuiilty a
a poaceablo or quarrelsome man.
Thought him quarrelsome. U w
quick tempered. Had seen defend
ant preparing to break wild horsei.
Once five miles west of Union on the
road on August 15 or 1C, 1908. llo
was preparing to rldo tho horsoi.
Tied It to a gentle maro and went
from It to the wild horse. Put on
his coat and buckled his gun on thi
"tslde. ,. ..
Mr. Gerlng cross-rxamlnod. l
fondant's coat was off. 1U put It on
and buckled tho gun around his
waist. Witness related to brothers
of defendant. Reputation was what
the people say. Mr. Clark had t'dd
witness what reputation was. Char
acter Is what witness thinks of a
person. Other people had talked
about Mr. Thacker's reputation as
a quarrelsome man. He named
Frank Albln nnd Walter Thacker
Walter Thacker a brother cf deceas
ed who had received the bulk of his
father's estate. Fronk Albln father
of Karl Albln. Did not know of J.
I. Thacker ever being arrested. He
hud ran for office of county commis
sioner.
Py Mr. Clarence. John Clincnro
had run for office of roml overseer
ml ln-en elected. ilefentlllg Leo
(Cortii.uod on Tapo 4)
