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"Come back! Come back!" she wailed. "Forgive me that cruel laugh. O Billy! Billy! I

love you!" and the daughter of old Anthony Harding, multimillionaire and scion of

the oldest aristocracy that America boasts, took the head of the Grand Avenue

mucker in her arms and covered the white, bloody face with kisses--and in the

midst of it Billy Byrne opened his eyes.

She was caught in the act. There was no escape, and as a crimson flush suffused

her face Billy Byrne put his arms about her and drew her down until their lips

met, and this time she did not put her hands upon his shoulders and push him

away. "I love you, Billy," she said simply.

Remember who and what I am," he cautioned, fearful lest this great happiness

be stolen away from him because she had forgotten for the moment.

I love you Billy," she answered, "for what you ARE."

Forever?"

Until death do us part!"

And then Norris and Foster, having dispatched their man, came running up.

"Is he badly hurt, madam?" cried Captain Norris.

"I don't know," replied Miss Harding; "I'm just trying to help him up, Captain

Norris," she laboriously explained in an effort to account for her arms about

Billy's neck.

Norris gave a start of surprise at hearing his name.

Who are you?" he cried. "How do you know me?" and as the girl turned her face

toward him, "Miss Harding! Thank God, Miss Harding, you are safe."

"But where on earth did you come from?" asked Barbara.

It's a long story, Miss Harding," replied the officer, "and the ending of it is going

to be pretty hard on you--you must try to bear up though."

"You don't mean that father is dead?" she asked, a look of terror coming to her

eyes.

"Not that--we hope," replied Norris. "He has been taken prisoner by these half-

breed devils on the island. I doubt if they have killed him--we were going to his

rescue when we ourselves were captured. He and Mr. Mallory were taken three

days ago."

123

The Mucker