National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-07-12

Latitude, one degree HOfln lOngl- .
tude, between q and % degrees
west.
| waited until night, WREN des- /
cended into the cabin and opened .
the letter with dull, awful feeling. ,
| held my breath while broke the /
big red seal and read:
Captain FOuntainbleau The /
convict, Antoine Hindsclear, stands
convicted of high treason against
the Republic. The Directory order
that he be shot in mid-ocean, and
you are hereby instructed that these
orders are carried into effect"
read the letter backwards and
forwards. wentson deck There
they We're, she looking upon the
ocean, and he gazing at her with an
expression of unutterable fondness.
Catching his eye | signed for him
to come down, his face all smiles.
was bathed in a cold sweat I
felt as if deadly sick, | handed him
the letter, and he read it, together
with the death warrant, which was
drawn up in due form, and attached.
| gathered voice as he finished.
He colored slightly and bowed.
Il ask nothing captain ~ he said,
In the same gentle voice that always
characterized his speech "no man
is expected to Swerve from his duty;
only wish to speak few words to
Laurette, and to entreat you to
take care of her if she should sur
viYe-but | hardly think she will"
"All that is fair, my good fellow"
SAID l.-"lf you request it, | will
carry her back 10 France to her
family. Twill never leave her until
she wishes to be rid of me, but do
not think she will survive it,"
He took my hand and pressed it.
"Most kind captain, see you sut-
fer more i'll this business than do
but there is no help for it. |
trust You will preserve what little
property of mine is left, for her sake,
and that you will take care she gets
what her poor old mother may leave
her. put her life, her honor III
your hands. "She is (and hear
how fondly low his voice became)
$50 delicate a little creaturc-her
chest is often affected she must
keep it warm; and if she could keep
the two diamond rings her mother
gave her, | should be glad; but of
course, if money is needed they
must go. My poor Laurette-how
pretty She looks
Ii was getting too much for me
and | began TO knit my brows.
'Onc word is as good as thous
and" said |. 1--WE two understand
each other. Go to her.
squeezed his hand he looked
wistlully at me, and added, "Stay n
moment, lei me give you a word OF
advice. Don't say word to her ;
be easy th"t is my business. il
shall be ma yed i'll the best man
ner."
"Ah~ said he, IL did not under
stand; YES much better. No leave
taking this leave taking"
"les," said |, "dol't behave lik'
a child much better. No leave
= taking. if you can help it, or You
, are lost
t kept my seat. | saw them walk
? ing arm in-arm upon the deck fol
| about half Al hour, ! called th'
4 mate to me. and when he had rea'
e the letter said:
"Garley, this is bad business
/, bad business, Iput it in Your hands
Ii obey the orders, but remain III TIN
+, cabin till it is over"
= GLOW do you'wish the thing done !
he asked in Il nonchalent manner.
II S'Tal<e | i'm out in a -boat-out q
y sight, do il as quick as possible
| don't say anything of this till TIN
$ time comes
i. GarIey sat five minutes looking
me without saying word. lie wa
d strange fellow. | didn't kno'
.d what to make of him. He the
is went out of the cabin without sa,
T. ing word.
o. Night came atlast. MAN boat
#. be quick
he TO obey slip ofpapcr! for it VIZ
IS. but a slip of paper after all. Som
thing in the very air must hay
h, urged me on. saw the young mf
ld kncel down before his l.aurette kl
at her knees her feet hor gown
all cried out like madman.
"Part them this instant Pa
them-curse the Republic-cur
lst the Dircctory-the directors
wv quit the service! curse the lawyer
y YOU NAV tell them if YOU will"
,at She was dragged into her birt
as and the boat rowed away in t
De- darkness.
Us Some time after a dull volley cal
ire over the sen to the vessel. 1t was
rid over.
on Fool madman how | paced [
Lhe deck and cursed myself. All mig
| long | paced back and forth, and
is night long heard the moaning
da. the poor stricken blrd.
. Often | halted, and was temp,
to throw myself into the sea, and
the end this horrid torture of bral'i n
so heart.
has Days passed, saw nothing
e. Laurette. would not see iier. :
nst avoided me, ana .. "lad otit.
could not bcai the ofthe "
ght stricken face.
" | The mate, ua'cy how ha'
He'd him! He was as coll ana uhc
ccrned ms though he had no RENT