Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-09-17
CHAPTER III.

Captain Hiley, verify believing that AL
ly was drowned, went ashore to inform
Col. Nichols ofthe fact. He found the Col.
just coming from Mrs Lesters 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 Hiley's story about
Ally's disappearance with breathless inter
est, as they walked along the beach after
which the two villains congratulated them
selves upon the boy being thus completely
taken out of their path.
While discussing the matter, they heard
the sound of oars, and soon saw boat APP
preaching the shore opposite cottage be-
longing to an old retired sailor named
Nicholas Collins, which was situated at the
foot of Mrs. Testers garden. In the boat
was man, and along with him was ie-
male sobbing convulsively. Colonel Mich
OILS with surprise and alarm recognized the
voice of the weeper as that of Amy Lester.
She and her companion left the boat and
entered the cottage, from the windows of
which a light soon shone. Colonel Mich
OILS and Captain Hiley crept beneath a win
dow, 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 and his con-
segment death by drowning.
Amy was vehement in her denunciations
of Col. Nichols, and declared that if Ally
1ltT Ia mi ,ofu Lao x,,I,,I 10
country against his uncle who had COM
passed his death.
On attempting to rise to go home, Amy
found she was too weak TO walk, and sent
Collins for her mother to come to her. AS
soon rs the old sailor left the cottage, Colo
mel Nichols proposed to Hiley that he
should carry Amy Off instead of Ally, and
leave her on plantation of his on the
coast, down by Cape Henry, so as to silence
her dangerous tongue, and also to give him
hold on her mother. The Captain agreed
to this, and they entered the cottage, COM
ing upon Amy so suddenly that, in her
weak state, she was so completely overcome
that she tainted away.
so much the betterl said Nichols stoop-
ing and gathering her in his arms. Now
lead the way TO your boat Hiley. On our
way, you must overset Collins boat, to
make him think she did it herself in a wild
| mood
He hurried out of tho cottage bearing
his frail burden. IIiley 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 and overset it.
There, they'll think the girl got wild
with grief and was drowned in an attempt
to search for Ally again = said the Colone
exultantly, tossing Amy's white apron up.
on the beach. That apron will fix the mat
ter beyond Doubt The wind is rising
| IIiley. You had better take advantage o
| itp
The two hurried to the waiting boat. Hi,
ley laid the unconscious Amy in tho bot
tom, and then seized the oars and rowed
rapidly towards the brig.
Nichols, full of exultation, looked after
the boat until It was lost TO view.
My first plan was successful = he nut.
tered. ALLY is dead l am a rich man
And my second plan promises like sue.
cess When Margaret Lester's heart is
nearly broken at Amy's loss, will offer
TO restore her child ON condition that She
will marry me! The day of my full tri-
umph is nearp
He looked with gloating eyes seward,
exulting in his evil success, until at last
nearly an hour later, the sails of the Quick
step filled, and the brig moved swiftly to-
wards the sea, taking with her Margaret
Testers only comfort--the distant fathers
star of hope.