The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-09-20

cOnle lnto tne caDlIl, ana Dlddlng hel
b good-by, he came down, his face all
smiles.
was bathed in cold sweat felt as
fdeadly sick; handed him the letter,
and he read 1t, together with the death,
. warrant, which was drawn up in due
form, and attached. | gathered voice
) as he finished.
lie colored slightly and bowed.
VI ask nothing, Captain" he said, in
the same gentle voice that always char
acte. lied his speech "no man can be
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 survive.
! hardly think she WILL"
"All that is fair, my good fellow"
said. "1f you request it | will carry
her back to France to her family.n |
will 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 suffer
more in 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 l trust you
will take care she gets what her poor
old mother may leave her. | put her
life-her honor in your hands. She is"
land how fondly low his voice became)
"a delicate little creature, 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 I.aurette, how
pretty she looks"
1t was getting too much for me. |
began to knit my brows.
Zone word is as good rs thousand"
| said, "We understand each other
Go to her.n
squeezed his hand he looked wist-
fully at me, and l added: stay mo-
ment, let me give you advice. Don't
say word to her; be easy that is my
business. 1t shall be managed, in the
best manner.
"Oh." said he 81 did not understand
you, much better. Besides, this leave
taking! this leave taking!
Yes" said l, don't behave like
child; much better. No leave taking,
If you can help it or you are lost"
| kept my seat. | saw them walking
arm in arm upon the deck for about
half and hour. / called the mate to me,
and when he had read the letter, |
said:
" Garley, this is bad Dusiness-bad
business. | put ii in your hands. |
obey the orders, but remain in the cabin
until it is over"
How do you wish the thing done ?"
he asked, in Il nonchalant manner.
Take him out in n boat--out of sight
do it as quickly as possible; don't say
anything of this till the time comes"
Garley sat five minutes looking at
me without saying word. He was a
strange fellow. didn't know what to
make Of him. He then Went out of the
cabin without saying word.
Night came at last. Man boat
go quarter of IL mile be quick
, Toobey slip of paper after all. Some
thing in the very air must have urged
me on. | saw the young man kneel
: down before his Laurette; kiss her feet
her gown l cried out like a madman
Part them ! part them this instant
; Part them-curse the Rcpublic-curse
the Dircctory-the Directors! l quit
the service! curse the lawyers you may
tell them if you willy
; She was dragged into her berth and
the boat rowed in the darkness.
Some time after II dull vollcy came
over the sea to the vessel. 1t was all
over.
Fool, Mailman how paced the deck
and cursed and cursed myself All
, night long paced back and forth and
all night long heard the moaning OF
the poor stricken bird
Often halted, and was tempted to
throw myself into the sea, and so end
this horrid torture of brain and heart.
Days passed, | saw nothing of Lau-
rettc, | would not see her. She avoid
ed me, and was glad of it. | could
not bear the sight of that woe-stricken
face.
The mate Garlcy, how hated him !;
He was cool and unconccrned us though
he had no remembrance of shooting
the poor wretch.
At Cayenne | resigned my ship. Co
ing to the city madeall arrangements,
and took the steamer for New York.
placed ample funds in the hands of II
very trusty friend, and told him to
send Laurette to me at the end of six
months. | could not see her until her
grief had left its edge.
Weary, sick and careless of my life, l
wandered Off to York State, and finally
bought little place where | hoped
should lay down and die.
sent for Luurette. Poor bird, |
must see her. | could wait no longer.
One summer night sat in the porch
of my house, smoking my pipe, and
gazed down the road. Soon the rumble
of wheels was heard and the stage halted.
The next moment pair of soft arms
were round my neck, and the head of
my sobbing Laurette was on my bosom.
'Oh you dear, excellent Captain
Heavens who is that behind you"
There stood the fine form of Antoine
IIindsclear, the convict.
Are you glad To see me?'
'Thank God! thank Godn was all
could calculate.
/ understood it all. The man Gariey
had read my heart better than ! did
myself. After leaving the brig in the
boat, he arranged the whole affair. The
volley was fred but not Il bullet touched
L l..