STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
HESTER'S TRIALS.
That evening, for the second time in obedience to a fierce demand fromLaure, Hester Pugh crept timidly on deck as soon as it was dark, andthen repenting of her venture she was about to retreat when she felt agrasp like steel clasp her wrist, and in a low voice that made hershudder Laure began to upbraid her, speaking passionately of his love,and telling her that it was his wish to win her by his tenderness, andnot by force, while she in turn told him of his cruelties, and piteouslypleaded for mercy.
"Yes," he said at last, "the same mercy that you have had on me," andflinging his arms round her he drew her shuddering form tightly to hisbreast.
"Make a sound," he hissed in her ear, "and you slay Dutch Pugh, perhapsall here on board except my party. Be silent and you shall be my happy,loving wife, a princess in wealth and station."
Maddened by her position, Hester struggled fiercely and lettered astifled cry for help, and at the same moment almost there came the soundof approaching feet, followed by the sound of a blow; and half fainting,she found herself loosened from the arms that held her, and ran, how shenever knew, to her cabin, to fall exhausted into Bessy Studwick's arms.
"Lock the door, lock the door!" she panted, clinging tightly to herfriend. "Oh Bessy, Bessy, if I could but die."
Bessy locked the door, and returned wondering to Hester's side.
"Hester, darling, your husband must be a perfect monster," she cried,taking the sobbing woman in her arms.
"No, no, no," wailed Hester, "he is all that is good and noble and true,but he thinks me wicked."
"How dare he treat you like this, if he does!" cried Bessy, indignantly,as she smoothed Hester's dishevelled hair.
"No, no, no, it was not he," panted Hester.
"Not he?" exclaimed Bessy. "Do you mean to tell me that you have beenon deck to meet some one else?"
"Yes, yes, and I am afraid; oh, I am afraid," whispered Hester, with ashudder, as she clung more closely to her friend.
"Hester Pugh," said Bessy, gravely; and her voice sounded cold andstrange. "You must explain. I cannot wonder at poor Dutch's conduct ifyou act like this."
"Bessy!" wailed Hester, clinging convulsively to her, "don't speak likethat. Don't you turn from me too. I am innocent; I am innocent. Ohthat I were dead--that I were dead!"
"Hush, hush, hush," whispered Bessy, trying to soothe her, for she wasalarmed at the violence of her companion's grief. "Tell me all aboutit, Hester. Am I not worthy of your confidence?"
"Oh, yes, yes, yes," sobbed Hester, "but I dare not--I dare not tellyou."
"Dare not, Hester?"
"No, no, no," she moaned. "Hush! listen! he is there. Bessy," shewhispered, clinging to her, "kill me if you will, but do not let himtouch me again."
As she whispered this appeal there came Dutch's summons at the door,repeated again, with at last Bessy's stern reply, and then silence.
"He is gone," said Bessy at last, her own heart beating furiously withemotion.
"No, no, he is waiting," wailed Hester, clinging to her; "he is alwayswatching me."
"Hester," said Bessy, sternly, "who is that man?"
"I dare not tell you," whispered Hester, with a shudder.
"As an old friend of your husband, I insist upon your telling me. Thisis cowardly weakness."
"Yes, yes, I know," wailed Hester, in her helpless misery; "but for hissake, I dare not tell you."
"And you have not told your husband?"
"No."
"Has he asked you?"
"Yes--yes," sobbed Hester. "Oh, if I could but die!"
"Shame on you," said Bessy. "Hester, I loved your husband very dearlyonce, and thought it all past now; and I have tried to love you for hissake. I will not be a partner in this mystery. To-morrow morning heshall hear all I know."
"No, no, no," cried Hester, in affright. "You must not tell. Forheaven's sake do not speak a word. Perhaps help may come."
"I shall tell him," said Bessy firmly.
"You do not know what you say," wailed Hester, growing more pallid bythe faint light of the lamp.
"I know a true honest man is being deceived, and that some scoundrel hasfrightened his weak young wife into silence, and--"
She said no more, for Hester rose horror-stricken and threw herself uponher knees, imploring her silence, and then, utterly overcome by heremotion, fainted dead away.
So long-continued was the swoon that Bessy was about to summonassistance when there was a faint sigh, and she revived.
"I was just going to send for Mr Meldon," said Bessy, kindly, as shekissed her.
"That is not as you kissed me to-day, Bessy," said Hester, sadly. "Iwould tell you gladly--all--all, if I only dared."
She hid her face shudderingly, and then, clinging tightly to Bessy, theyremained silent for what must have been quite a couple of hours, whenBessy, who had been dozing off to sleep, suddenly started up to findHester awake and standing up in a listening attitude.
"What is it?" said Bessy, in alarm. "Hush! do you not hear?" whisperedHester, hoarsely. "He is maddened and has turned upon them. Oh Dutch,my husband! God--protect--"
She said no more, but stood with white face and starting eyes,listening, for at that moment there was the sound of strugglingoverhead, a hoarse shriek as of a man in mortal agony, a heavy fall--arustling noise; and then, just by the little round window of theircabin, a heavy splash.
Dutch the Diver; Or, A Man's Mistake Page 27