Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-10-22
CHAPTER ".
rHr MOST FfENpIsn PLOT or All.

The summer slipped away, and Sept
cmher was drawing to is close.
One morning late in the month, Colonel
Nichols sai in his office, idly drumming
on his desk with his fingers, an expression
Of satisfaction on his features.
He had been prosecuting Mrs. Lester
with hi> attentions. which she had di>dain
fully repul>ed. He had also conCei, eel a
vehement desire tn avenge himself on her
daughter Amy. who. believing that Ally
had been sent off hy Colonel Nichols, had
been constant thorn in his side for
months.
We'll, he muttcsed, with long drawn
breath. II finished closing up my affairs
Yesterday What i Ia be nav next move?
/ can leave Norfolk at any time. Ii might
not b., a bad idea, 20 take Mr>. Lester and
Amy 10 nv Cape Henry house. People
begin To look coldlS on me here, and they
look on Mrs Lester - an Injured saint
He drowned darby. as il unpleasant
memories were recurring To- him.
At this moment there sounded heavy,
uneven tread IN the outer office. The
clerks had all been hi charged within the
month. and th,re wa n" u>IneS> doing.
Nichols. therefore. did not stir from hi
seal. nor irpIblc him ell - inquire the
lu>in,s> cot the intruder.
Thu heavy tread approached the inner
Office. the door WAS opened, and man
looked in
Nichols saw him, and sprang to his feet
i'm a>t,nishment.
Captain Sales he calculated. ut
can't Le possible, Come ia, Come right
in
The man entered. closing the door be-
hind him
/, was indeed Captain Sales, of,he ship
Cgc1oH.-the same man who had 20 in
humanity st David Lester adrIit in the
South Pa, tic, in the very teeth, ~ he had
supposed. OF terrible tempest"
The TWO rlrn-tttmg companions
shook hands heartily.
When did yoU arrive, Captain" de-
mauded Nichols, prof,ring Il chair. This
is surprise. | wasn't expecting you this
month"
Il suppose not" said Sales, seating
himself
Il ran into the Roads this very morn
ing. and east anchor not an hour ago. |
concluded YOU DIDN'T see me. since You
didn't come of. We had gale all the
way home that blew u right along. New
or made better voyage out and in"
Nichols went To closet cupboard. and
brought out bottle OF brandy and Il tum
bier.
Have drink" he said. filing the
glass How about your trading buSi-
ness? Seems 20 me you didn't stay long
enough 20 DO well.
We'll. | hav emit done so well as usual.
Colonel. that's fact" replied Sales, be-
tween swallows of the liquor. But I've
got something OF more importance 10 you
than thousand dollars more OF less, Col
onel"
And what is that demanded Nichols.
Sales tossed off the remainder OF the
brandy. and set the glass down heavily as
he responded:
1T, u piece OF news that will come
hard to you, Colonel David Lester Is
alive
"4iire ~
Nichols rceled as il bullet had enter
ed his heart. His complexion turned liy-
i'll.
Alive he repeated, in shrill, cutting
whisper. He HIS come back? He is in
Norfolk"
He lookedround him wildly, as if seek
ing an avenue of escape.
mo, Colonel, he is not here. He board
ell Us just after calm in the South Pacif.
ic. saw him lace 20 face, heard him
tell how the vessel he went out in had
been lost in n cyclone, and how he alone
remained alive To tell the tale"
And you brought him back?" cried
Nichols, N that shrill. incisive whisper,
putting his liyid, scared face close to that
of Sales, and fairly startling the latter by
the glance OF evil meaning that shot from
his bluodshot ewes lyon let him live
YOU. who would lose by his life and gain
10y his teath?"
A regretful expression crossed the face
Of Captain Sales.