Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-21

me these tr1fies, -tney are worm some
thing" As she spoke she handed him the
few trinkets she wore. Take them,n she
said, "and in time to come you shall have
more. pledge my word for that; but
let him 60. 1t is not to trial you are tax
ing him, but to death; it is not man bu,
a corpse you will trample on"
With one great gulp Paul rose, and in
spite Of his gaunt, harsh face, and labor.
er's sarb. stood a lofty, noble-looking man,
as he spoke.
ut is over" he said, my mind is made
up, Miss Rachel, fear nothing from me
! forgive you, Mr.. Tolmaine, as truly as
/ hope to ce forgiven myself, and swear
now that you are safe from me. / will
not touch your gold nor your jewelry, Miss
Rachel; so don't offer them again. Now
can I be of assistance in any wayp"
To Paul's amazement. when Miss Rachel
who had been so calm and self-possessed
attempted to speak, she merely gave q
stified scream, and had he not caught hel
she would have fallen to the ground. fol
she had tainted. They brought her to her
self; and, although very weak. she re-
gained her clearness and decision.
1t appeared that some such agen. as
Paul was exactly what was wanted; some
one who, wearing clothes natural to him,
which Tolmaine should copy. and who
should be the spokesman of the two,
would enable the fugitive to get out of
England. The vicar, although he knew
of his being in the neighborhood, would
not see him; nevertheless they thought
so they told Paul-that. if the young man
were safely away. his uncle would con-
tribute to his support. All this ended in
Paul's pledging himself to assist Mr..
Tolmaine in his escape; and so, with
many wringings of the hand, and tears
from each Of the three he left.
His first impulse was to 60 to Alice, to
tell her all the strange events Of the after
noon and how he had-weakly it seemed
to him, when fairly away, and from a
mere sentimental influence, allowed the
only chance he might ever possess of en-
riehing himself to slip by. That he should
be annoyed at his conduct was not wonder
full, Paul Hyles was only man, and con-
sequently hardly capable of the sublime
self-denial and heroism of woman. But
he was amply repaid by seeing Alice's
color-seldom had she color now-come
and 60 again as he spoke, until at last she
threw herself upon him, and buried her
sobbing lips in the rough smock-frock of
her sweetheart, while she murmured
broken hysterical words OF commentator
and thankfulness, which Paul, poor and
penniless as he was, priced beyond all
treasure beside.
Then they resolved that he should help
Tolmaine away, and take no reward from
Miss Rachel for the seryice--and Paul
kept his word. As two workingmen, en-
gagged on q Spanish railway, with Paul's
provincial dialect, and thoroughly natural
manner, even Mr.. Tolmaine's reticence
and avoidance of strangers passed off very
fairly for loutishness; and the pair got on
board Cadiz boat, and Paul left the I'M
happy young man on safe Spanish terri
tory; then, with the least possible delay,
he hurried back e
Tolmaine was lodged with an English
family, who were prepared for his illness,
and probable death; and the outcast over
whelmed Paul with gratitude, and wrote
urgent letters to all his family in his be-
haIf--but he could do no more. Money
he had scarcely any; SO Paul reached
Edgefield very few shillings the richer
for his excursion. The chief piece of good
fortune which befel him was his being re-
engaged at the old mills; and this, after
his late privations, was absolute luxury
so there he worked, melancholy, but
placid-minded man.
Miss Rachel left the town almost imme-
diately, and if her father knew the share
that Paul had taken in his nephew's escape,
he did not show it, Thus three months
wore on, and save that Mrs. Purley was
sinking faster every day, and Alice's home
grew poorer every day, also little change
occurred in the humble circle, but at the
end of that time just as Paul was leaving
work one afternoon, the timekeeper called
to him, and said, ''Hollo, Hyles, here is a
message from the governor that you are to
60 to the Grown at six o'clock, and ask
for Mr.. Smith. It's no use to look inquir-
ingly at me-" continued the man. for !
know no more than / have told you.'
Ofcourse Paul went to the Grown, and
was ushered into the best room, the waiter
showing very plainly his amazement at
such visitor. He found, sitting in the
twilight, an elderly gentleman.
II was told to ask for Mr.. Smith," be-
gan Paul.
"Quite right" interrupted the gentle
man; "my name is Smitb--at least it is so
in this house. do not choose, Mr.. Hyles
pray be seated-that every one should
know my name and business. Some three
months back you assisted an unfortunate
young man to escape from England
II did," said Paul, hoping devoutly he
was not getting into scrape.
Every good, returned Mr.. Smith, land
you lost the chance, the certainty, may
say, of two hundred pounds. That young
man was my nephew. My name is Toll
maine, Andrew Tolmaine, second partner
in the house OF De Lisle, Tolmaine, and
Tolmaine, and that wretched boy was my
godson."
Here the old gentleman took off his spec
tacles; wiped them, and very deliberately
replaced them.
''He is dead, Mr.. Hyles,r he resumed,
land but for you he would have died in
prison. am not insensible to your noble
conduct, and beg therefore to make ii
slight return--only partial return, moth
ing can wholly repay you. Rachel" he
called.
Then, TO Pauls surprise, the figure of a
giri IN deep mourning, rose from the
shadows OF the curtains, and advanced to-
ward him; eonfusedly he took the offered
hand.
with my heartfelt gratitude, said the
sad voice of Miss Rachel, .'pray accent