The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-09-13


tide ran fast. Crarnped and chilled by his
long continuance in the water the boy was
whirled along, growing weaker every mo
ment; but just as hope was at its ebb, he
suddenly beheld sail behind him, rapidly
approaching, under the force OF II ireshening
breeze.
"A brig, certain" be groaned, after n long
look at the nearing cloud of canvass. III
must be old Hiley's! The wind having come
again, he is off for the Pacific ocean,
He regarded the brig as it came nearer,
asking himself if be should hail her
"Let her be what she may, be mut'ereo'
"friend or foe, must hail her! my strength
is used upl shall soon slip OH from these |
oars and drownl Fortunately the brig is |
coming straight towards me. will hail
her!
He waited ill the brig was near him and
then carried his resolve into execution. His
feeble call was heard and answered, the brig
hove to, boat was lowered, aud he was
taken aboard the stranger. The boy had
only strength enough to learn that the brig
was not Illleys, and then he tainted.
CHAPTER III.
MORE yILLIASY.
Captain Hiey, verify believing that Ally
was drowned, went ashore te inform Col
Nichols of the fact. He found the Colonel
lust coming from Mrs. Testers cottage,
where he had gone an hour before, and
stunned Amy by informing her that Ally
Bell, her lover and hero, was being carried
off to sea in the Quickstep, and that she
would never see him again.
The Colonel heard Hileys story about Al.
ly's disappearance with breathless interest,
| as they walked along the beach; after which
the two villains congratulated themsel yes
upon the boys being thus completely taken
out Of their path.
While discussing the matter, they heard
| the sound Of oars, and soon saw boat up.
preaching the shore opposite cottage be-
| longing to an old retired sailor named Mich.
olas Collins, which was situated at the foot
Of Mrs. Dester's garden. Ia the boat was u
man, and along with him was female, sob
bling coryulslvely. Colonel Nichols, with
surprise and alarm, recognized the voice OF
the weeper as that Of Amy Lester. She and
her companian left the boat and entered the
cottage, from the windows Of which a light
soon shone. Colonel Nichols and Captain
Hiley crept beneath q window, to spy and
listen. They soon learned that Collins had
rowed Amy off to the brig in search Of Ally,
and that she had there heard OF his attempt
to escape aud his consequent death by
drowning.
Amy was vehement in her denunciations
J of Col. Nichols, aud declared that if Ally
e was really dead she would raise the whole
/. country against his uncle who had com pass
e ed his death.
On attempting to rise to 60 home, Am.
G found she was too weak TO walk, and sen
Collins for her mother to come to her. A
soon as the old sailor left the cottage, Col
, Nichol. proposed to Hilcy that he shout,
! carry Amy off instead of Ally, and leave be-
D on a plantation Of his on the coast, down By
t Cape Henry, so as to silence her dangerous
tongue, and also TO give him hold on hel
mother. The Captain agreed to this, anC
they entered the cottage, coming upon Amy
so suddenly that, in her weak state, she was
= so completely overcome that she tainted
away.
$50 much the BETTER" said Nichols, stoop
ing and gathering her in his arms. snow
lead the way to your bont, Hl'cy. On oui
war, you must overset Collins boat, to make
him think she did il herself in q Wild mood
{ He hurried out OF the cottage bearing his
/ frail burden. liley followed hastily and
. the two made their way to the spot where
Collins boat lay. 1t was but the work Of a
: moment for Hiley to push of the little craft
: aud oyerset it.
There, they'll think the girl got wild with
81 grief and was drowned in an attempt tc
!. search for Ally again" said the Colonel ex
utanly tossing Amy's white apron on the
beach.
=, That apron will fix the matter beyond &
= doubt! The wind is rising, Hiley. You haC
better take advantage Of it!'
e The two hurried to the waiting boat. Hile,
$ laid the Unconscious Amy in the bottom, anc
: then seized the oars and rowed rapidly to
wards the brig.
Nichols, full OF emulation, looked after
s the boat until it was lost to view.
t my first plan was successful he NUT.
G tered
: sally is dead! am q rich man! And
, ny second plan promises like success
e When Margaret Testers heart is nearly
broken at Amys loss, will offer to restore
, her child on condition that she will marry
/, mel The day Of my full triumph is near
q lie looked with gloating eyes seward, eX
uluug in his evil success, until at last near
, " an hour later, the sails Of the QuicksteI
t filed, and the brig moved swiftly toward tbs
saa, taking with her Margaret. Testers only
a comfortable distant fathers star Of hope!
CHAPTER ".