The Portland daily press., 1865-03-17
Established June ss, ls6s.-VeI. 4.

| KNOW ne was q SLduScIs Dut WAS uOl
his name on his letters? Oh yes his name
was Mr.. Thornton, but he didn't live in the
village. Had he been long in the habit Of
coming for letters? Not very long.
walked forth in the direction OF nv home
1t was nearly dusk when came within sight
of that spot where my bliss in life had been
Over the wet spongy fields, over crumbline
fences, through swollen water-courses, had
come, bnt danger and fatigue were unfelt.-
About half mile from the house / saw a
morse lled to fence. He was with her then
nid myself close to the bridge for while,
until darkness should conceal nv movements.
then hurried across and approached the
summerhouse noiselessly. They were not
there No. OF course they were in the house
then. was not long left in indecision as to
my next step. The window of her sittingroom
opened, and there they stood, within a few
yards OF me, his arm around her waist.
heard her kiss him; heard his impassioned
"Good-bye,' and then, with the noiseless step
OF late, hastened by near cut to the
bridge.
l crossed it, showed the ends of three planks
on their supports so that the slightest weight
should tilt them over, and waited about ten
yards OF, with heart whose throbs | heard
above the roaring of the angry food. ~
He came. He made few steps along the
bridge. Then wild cry, dashing of wood
together, a plunge in the torrents interval of
silence; another cry, Help! .helpp That was
all. / was avenged. No mortal could es-
cape out Of that rock banked stream in its
then state. -
, Next morning sent note to my wife.
Caroline,' l said, Il was close to you when
you and he parted last night. saw every
thing. He shall come to you no more. God
forgive you.'
left It once in ship bound for Bengal.
The events of the past few weeks had made
such wreck of me in body and mind that
there were many of my fellow passengers who
thought me insane. / cannot describe the
agony Of my life during those few Gays. HIS
face-that face which / never saw in life was
With me ever. And, SO closely was the mem
ory of her entwned with my being, his face
bore likeness to hers; but unlike hers it
always wore CHASTITY frown, which grew into
a menace. A +-E% tE'iAA-<A 80 f
One evening, it was sundown, a man fell
overheard. The ship was going free. and
there was stiff breeze. AS the man passed
the quarter-or rather, as the quarter passed
him--it was plain that he could not swim. A
sudden impulse seized me; l snatched a life-
buoy and leaped overheard. The helpless
seaman and myself foated together. I re-
member seeing the cormorants sweeping
about our heads, and boat putting forth
from the ship, s7a.f - 7lisrr. :, sifis .ni
The next familiar remembrance which
comes to me is OF our presence ON board a
whaler which had picked us up. We were
forwarded by the first passing vessel to our
destination. The tedium of business arrange
ments connected with my recent inheritance
was partial relief But my fortune was no
solace to the bitter past. After two years of
oRJectless life went 10 Australia. Here, a
few days after my arrival, in the course of NV
travels came to creek where stopped to
lunch. had but just alighted when horse
man passed me at rapid pace. BE wore
red Garibaldi shirt, and helmet hat with a
red ik"puggaree" streaming behind it. He
had hardly disappeared over the steep bank
on the opposite side of the creek when two
shots were heard, followed by a shout.
spurred nay horse over the creek, and in few
seconds bsheld the person who had passed me
oyerthrown, his leg pinned to the ground by
his horse, which had fallen, and man in
mask, about dozen yards off, taking aim at
him with revolver, The red horseman and
the bush-ranger fired simultaneously, and the
robber swerved in his saddle, but he came
very close to the other and extended his re-
volver again. / took long shot, the robbers
pistol fell to the ground, his right arm dropped
at his side, and, uttering a howl Of rage and
pain, he gallopped off toward the scrub.
When reached the fallen man, and had
released him, he said, gayly, ''WeIl, by Jove,
that was touch and go! Your shot saved my
life, Sir, and a better shot with revolver /
never saWP 23fisss's4
who could your assailant have been p
said [. . 7@a a
'Oh, one Of Miky's gang of course. They
have become very troublesome lately, and
don't scruple to take life. am certain hit
the scoundrel, but, by Jove Sir, you have
given him singer. My tent is Lot far from
this, and beseech your company
We soon came to his tent. ~ as
''Now then, Bob, look sharp about dinner p
Bob 10 Jked sharp, and we were soon seated
at table, on which we saw kangaroo steam
er" bronze winged pigeons, a couple of wild
| ducks, and preserved potatoes. Nor were
welcome liquids wanting. There were spark.
ling hook, sherry, and pale brandy.
After dinner we ligkted our pipes (he and y
and he became very communicative.
81 came out without twenty pounds" he
said, and no one could believe how lucky |
have been. Ii riches could give happiness,
ought to be one oil the happiest young fellows
in the Australias.'
He said this with deep sigh, and smoked
meditatiyely. listened to him with great at
tention. "A fine young fellow he was; a man
every inch Of hin. ae had eyideatly been
reared as gentleman, and bush life mad not
made him forget his early habits. lalos
Have you ever been in American he in
/ quired, after pause Ia our conversation.
Often I said, 'on visits
'In what parts particularP sasMr5
Many. The last visited was New York
Indeed! l know many families there. Did
you ever meet a Mrs. Aspern?'
4 have s.e
the noblest OF men, said he, although only
knew him through Others
IA AS he said it, he seemed agitated and took
a glass of wine, second, and third. For
the last few moments dim presentiment had
| been creeping over me which plunged me
back into the horrible past. -en
Poor Caroline, poor Caroline!' he said in a
low voice; then suddenly looking up, i have
been sad scamp, and disgrace to my fami
! ly; but sooner or later the 4 truth will be
known. She was my favorite sister. was
the youngest child, and spoiled. went to
India, took to gambling took to drink, and al
last proceedings were taken against me for
forgery. was wholly innocent but COM
rade infomed me privately that there was nc
chance OF my acquittal; SO l made my escape
he furnishing me with the means. went
home under feigned name, and saw my ia
ther, who would not receive me, saying that
every mail from India contained shocking ac.
I counts of my depravity, which had broken nv
sisters heart and his. l went to my.sister
| Caroline, saw her in private often, but never
could prevail upon her to mention my case to
her husband. He was too honorable man
she said, to advocate the cause of an outlaw
and he would, she was sure, deliver his owr
brother up to what he believed to be meritet
punishment. She sold her own private jewel
ry to enable me to leave the kingdom, and W.
parted with great tenderness. for she did no
believe me guilty. But on that dismal even
ing she told me she felt presentiment o
evil, and she was nearly right, for on my cross
ing foot bridge that led from the garden
part of the planking gave way, and wa'
plunged into a perfect torrent. Although 1
good swimmer, must have persisted but fo
one of the planks that had fallen with me-.
reached the city, and wrote to her before