The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-06-09

Coon up osuso eao supper ana grasp
ed Halls hand- =
"You are good lad" sid he
"Come below and take glass of gin."
The mates ace grew darker than be-
fore. which thecapeain noticed.
'You may come too," said he, aware
that the first officer was very fond of
gin b.. syas 81
Down they vent into the cabin, and
three glasses soon were filled.
+ "a toast.' said the CAPTAIN tn vb;.bt
both young men unanimously respo .ded,
'.Maxyi' and drained their glasses sd
z'Ay. let - drink again to my future.
bride,'' said the mate, with very red
..Your bride p calculated Hal, inyol-
UNFAIRLY; 81 was not aware" moi issss
Y 1T is nat so, Mr.. Chase is mistaken"
said musieai sSe, and Mary stepped
from an adjoining room, looking rosy
and lovely enough to tempt an anchorite
Though not sentimental girl, she was
a fascinating one. All hands loved her,
and would have gone through fire and
/ water To serve her. Both the Young
men now took off their caps, blushing
and somewhat embarrassed
"How!-What mean your stammered
the mate; II thought you were willing
to marry me-"
Il never said so,'' was the reply
Then noticing the troubled expression
I Of iS oh
esteem you sir, but never had the slight
est intention of taking you for my hus
band.'
Halls cheek. glowed, and his eye
frightened in spite of him.
The mate, noticing the look, famed
up like a volcano.
Take that he cried, with an oath,
throwing his glass into the face Of his
rival
Instantly Hal sprang step or two
forward, striking the mate between the
eyes.
The officer tumbled, but was soon on
his feet. He rushed into his apartment,
and the next moment reappeared with q
revolver, which he had ordered the
steward to load several days before.
He raised it, aimed it at the head of
the young man, and was pulling the trig-
ger, when Mary threw herself between
Kim and his intended victim
Crash went the pistol; there was
gaspfng cry, ana mary, WIN BLOOD
stained temple, dropped to the deck.
"Oh, God! my child! my childr'-
screamed the captain ''you have killed
her!''
| He threw himself down, and hung,
sobbipg and weeping, over the motion
less girl He pressed her head to his
bosom; it seemed as if his great heart
would fairly burst with its load of an
guish.
The two young men were also terribly
affected. The mate, wild eyed and fran
tic, seemed about to go mad; while Hal,
with both hands pressed to his throb-
bing temples, gazed horror stricken,
upon the white, blood stained face.
Meanwhile, the steward had rushed
on deck, exclaiming that Mary was shot
dead, and begging the other officers to
come down Soon the cabin was filed
with mourners with seamen, old and
young, weeping or sighing over the
ships pretty favorite-
1T is an unluclky day." said one old
sea dog Poor Mary! poor girl. who
would have thought things would come
to this pass 2
My only child my only one!'-
sobbed the skipper, still straining the
blood stained head to his brows-
Speak to me, Mary speak -
His eyes rolled wildly in his head,
and CHASTITY palcness passed over his
face
Then he folded his arms and lowered
his head. his eyes still turned upon the
face of the motionless girl.
dead. dead, deadr' he moaned. =
! She will never, never speak to me
again.
Hal gently pushed him aside, exam
ined the bleeding temple closely, then
pressed his hand upon the heart, his
face lighting up.
"Life'" he said. in glad, ringing
voice. "She is not dead, She lives.-
her heart beats,' E
A look of hope crossed the old mans
face, but the next moment he looked
despondent.
lay, it beats faintly," he murmured:
"but how can the child live after bull
let has passed through her brain?"
mo bullet has touched her," answer.
ed the young doctor, pushing the hair
from the temple and showing a slight
confusion. '.She is only stunned by be-
ing struck by the wadding in the pistol.
The weapon could not have been
,., SD /