Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 114: what you’re looking at

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104 prise and doubt, but finally recognizing the youth, began to row across the still-heaving inlet. From the time the pair had left Zorrilla’s heuse they had suffered nothing beyond the inconvenience and weariness caused by waiting in wet woods for break of day. No search apparently had been made for Jerry; at any rate, they heard no shouts, saw no moving lights in the darkness, observed no movements that indicated a hunt for the es- caped prisoner. Nor was the night such as to favor pursuit. The girl had made no cofftplaint, only clasping Jerry’s hand tightly and from time te time answering to a question from him that she was not cold, or sleepy. Her cour- age, whatever her other qualities or lack of them, was not to be gainsaid; she bore the discomforts of mud, of the blind gropings in darkness, of the blows of wet bushes, of the slow-dragging hours, with an unexpected fortitude and at moments almost with light- heartedness, which Jerry could account for only by a real satisfaction on her part in being relieved of a dread, the fear of her masters and persecutors. He felt, moreover, a growing pity for this companion. That one so young and with so undeniable a charm should involve her- self with men like the Barbaneras when she might have directed her course in another and safer direction, contained elements for a tragedy—the tragedy of a flawed charac- ter. Love of ease, love of money, perhaps, had led her to the first step; and now she was struggling against the net into which ‘her own acts had brought her. When they had been rowed across the bayou by the negro, and the latter had set off up the channel in search of other , storm-borne craft, Jerry took counsel with himself. It was still dawn. Gaillard would yet be asleep. Anita Carley was exhausted. However much he might prefer another shift, the only expedient for the moment was to take charge of the girl until such a time as he could consult with his employer as to her disposition. The natural selution of the problem she created was to send her away. Reaching his cottage, he found his old housekeeper already astir. - THE ARGOSY. “This young lady was a guest of the Zorrillas, but she was out in the storm,” he stated. ‘“‘ Let her rest in my room until she’s refreshed, then I’ll conduct her to Mr. Gaillard, with whom she’s acquainted.” This sufficed to satisfy both the curiosity and the scruples of the Frenchwoman, who led Anita Carley away with sympathetic in- quiries concerning her health, exclamations of dismay at her muddied shoes and skirt, and promises that her ward should be made comfortable. Jerry flung himself into a chair. He ab- solutely was tired out; he had had enough of hurricanes and Barbaneras and girls, too, for some time; and he began to wonder with a vague sort of interest just what it was he had got from the little trunk over yonder, this paper wallet of papers which he had held all the night and now had here. Well, he would stow the loot away in a safe place, until he could go at the papers by aid of his Spanish dictionary. Two hours later, washed, shaved, in clean clethes and after a hearty breakfast, he went while Anita Carley slept to relate his adventures to Gaillard. The latter he per- ceived standing by the little pier, from which a boat was just transporting Isabel and Felipa Zorrilla across the bayou to their own side. ‘T thought you must have got them out of the marsh before the storm,” said Jerry as Gaillard faced about. ‘“ Old Hernande and all his house were terribly wrought up over the ladies’ absence; had given them up fer lost, in face, until I told the old gentle- man you had gone to the rescue.”’ ‘ Until you told him!” Gaillard’s amazement was complete. ‘“T chatted with him for a while last night in his own bedchamber,” said Jerry. And he thereupon related his night experiences, emitting only mention of the wallet of papers. Of his action in taking them he now was divided between two opinions, nor was he at all sure that Gaillard would not dis- approve the seizure. Enemies though the men were, their personal effects might be considered to be sacred. For this reason, therefore, Jerry maintained a discreet silence concerning his booty. cComiclbooks.com