Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-10-22
..n did, | didn't mean tor he exclaim

.'It did, l didn't mean to-" he exciaim.
ed.
The fact IL, Colonel. l meant to dis
pose of him in the quickest manner. l
thought there was big storm coming. 81
set him adriit in an open boat. The
storm blew over, and Lester, | am sure,
made for the nearest islands. He was in
frail boat, the poorest OF the lot, and
allowed him only n small allowance oil
provisions"
Then he may be alive now on one OF
those Pacific islands" calculated Nichols.
And he may be picked up by vessel nj
any time and come back To ruin me.
was sure he was dead. Tell me his story
rs he told it to you"
Sales complied with the order, while
Colonel Nichols paced the floor with hur-
ried steps.
ayes, he must have gone back to the
island he escaped from, or to some neigh.
boring island cried Nichols. when his
confederate had concluded. what n
cursed fatality seems IT, pursue me! Sales,
Lester is liable to come back. as said be-
lore. at any time. His return would he
nv ruin. / tell you." he added excitedly
II have done things for which he could
send me To the state-prison. l should
have tn fiy with the officers of justice on
my track, and should never dare retarn
to claim my nephew's fortune. Sales.
Lester must not come back. He shall not
come hack
And how are YOU going to prevent it,"
asked Sales. "No doubt he went back To
the Land in The Sea. and was set To idol
carving again; but he may escape again,
or friendly ship may rescue him. or soine
chance set him free"
but there shall not" interrupted Mich
OILS. with increasing agitation. lis the
Cyclone sea-worhy9'
Yes, Colonel. She's in splendid order.
Could he got to sea 4, an hours notice, if
she were not proviNioned."
PROV i>ion her at once See 10 every.
thing. She mus be oil within twenty four
hours am going in search OF David
Lester"
What, 10 rescue him?'
mo" Kissed Nichols; ITO destroy him.
He continued his walk with increasing
violence.
And will not 60 alone; Margaret
Lester and her daughter shall 90 with me-
If succeed, and Lester periSheS, his wife
shall become mine. II | fail" and his
ewes cleaned luridly. land arrive ont
there. 10 find that he has been rescued |
shall hold his wife and child "a hostages.
and demand my safety Ms the price OF their
freedom
I'm in with yun. Colonel" said Sales
admiringly. And what is more. can
keep every one of the crew by being lit
tie liberal with them
Then GO Ia work Immediately. Set
the mcn To unloading Provision the ship.
and he sure Ia provide wine and dainty
stores Tor the woman and girl. will
send ABOARD furniture for three state-rooms
and one Of my servants Ia set them In or
der The servant will accompany Us. to
cook for and wait on the ladies. lOu un-
derStand?"
Yes but how arc we to get the ladies
aboard?"
They mus be taken aboard tonight.
and we must slip out of the Roads in the
darkness that comes before daylight. You
and | will 90 up Ia Mrs. Testers cottage
soon after dark. and gain An entrance into
the house. The rest will be easy"
This programme of smpliiicatioDs, was
resolved upon. Nichols provided his cen.
iedcrate with the necessary funds. and
they separated-Sales To return To the
ship. and Nichols To make certain pur-
chases, and to send his servant down 10
the Cyclone.
They did not meet again until evening.
The shadows were falling thickly when
the two stealthily approached the cottage
of Mrs Lester, and ~ Stealthly entered
h,r garden. approaching the house while
Keeping in the shadow oi the trees.
Mrs. Lester aud Amy were in the par
Tor. the windows ofwhich We're wide open
the security OF months having restored
Mrs. Lester former confidence. The two
men could see The elder lad seated in her
arm chair, and the young girl. dressed in
white, at the piano, upon which she MAS
softly playing, accompany The instru'
mcni with her voice.
The room WAS not lighted, both mother
and daughter loving the gray twilight
shadows.
On the steps of the kitchen porch, the
colured ser, ing-woman WAS sitting, and
in HE garden old Nicholas Collins and his
vile we're holding lively discussion on
some domestic question.
Now i our time." exclaimed Nichols.
in Whisper. "Gut the wooIlen socks
over your boots? Good, Come along soft
IL. | know Mrs. Testers room, and the
girls al oins it. Old Collins sleeps in the
,,,,r nor, Nny fnr IL
The coniedertes softly mounted the
steps of the verandah. entered the un-
lighted hall, and stole up stairs, unheard
and unseen The next moment they had
>ecrctcd themselves in the closet adjoin
ing Mrs. Testers roO!n. anil were ready
for the iliainouS project The New York
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