| 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 |
| 1 | 41 | 81 | 122 | 162 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
Chapter 12 - A Black Scoundrel
When Jane Clayton regained consciousness she saw Anderssen standing over
her, holding the baby in his arms. As her eyes rested upon them an expression of
misery and horror overspread her countenance.
"
"
What is the matter?" he asked. "You ban sick?"
Where is my baby?" she cried, ignoring his questions.
Anderssen held out the chubby infant, but she shook her head.
"It is not mine," she said. "You knew that it was not mine. You are a devil like
the Russian."
Anderssen's blue eyes stretched in surprise.
"Not yours!" he exclaimed. "You tole me the kid aboard the Kincaid ban your
kid."
"Not this one," replied Jane dully. "The other. Where is the other? There must
have been two. I did not know about this one."
"
There vasn't no other kid. Ay tank this ban yours. Ay am very sorry."
Anderssen fidgeted about, standing first on one foot and then upon the other. It
was perfectly evident to Jane that he was honest in his protestations of ignorance
of the true identity of the child.
Presently the baby commenced to crow, and bounce up and down in the Swede's
arms, at the same time leaning forward with little hands out-reaching toward the
young woman.
She could not withstand the appeal, and with a low cry she sprang to her feet and
gathered the baby to her breast.
For a few minutes she wept silently, her face buried in the baby's soiled little
dress. The first shock of disappointment that the tiny thing had not been her
beloved Jack was giving way to a great hope that after all some miracle had
occurred to snatch her baby from Rokoff's hands at the last instant before the
Kincaid sailed from England.
Then, too, there was the mute appeal of this wee waif alone and unloved in the
midst of the horrors of the savage jungle. It was this thought more than any
8
8
Page
Quick Jump
|