Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-07-26

her poor old mother may leave her. I pu
her life, her honor in your hands. Sho il
(and how fondly low his voice became) :
delicate little creature-her chest is ofts
affected she must keep it warm and if SD
could keep the two diamond rings her moth
er gave her, I should be glad !; but, of course
if money is needed, they must CO. M
poor Laurette-how pretty she looks p
1t was getting too much for me, and
began to knit my brows.
'One word is as good as thousand
said. "We understand each other. Go t.
her.
l squeezed his hand.
Stay moment, let me give you wore
of advice. Don't say word to her be
easy that is my business. It shall be man
aged in the best manner
"Ahp said he, 81 did not understand
Yes, much better. Besides, this leave ia.
king-this leave takingp
Yes,' said [, don't behave like child
J much better. No leave taking, if you
can help it, or you are lost
kept my seat [ saw them walking
arm in arm about the deck for about half an
hour
called the mate to me, and when he had
read the letter, said
'Garley. this is bad business. I put it
IN your hands. I obey the orders, but re.
main in the cabin until it is over
How do you wish the thing done?' he
asked in nonchalent manner.
Take him in boat-out Of sight do it
as quick as possible; don't say anything Of
this till the time comes.' 5000
Garley sat five minutes, looking at me,
without saying word. He was strange
fellow. did not know what to make Of
him. He then went out of the cabin with
out saying word.
Night came at last
s'Man boat; go quarter Of a mile; be
quick
To obey a slip of paper!-for it was but
slip of paper, after all. Something in the
very air must have urged me on.
L sow the young man kneel down before
his Laurette, kiss her knees, her feet, her
gown. I cried, like mailman
Part them! Part them this instant =
Part them-curse the republic the
directory-the directors. Iquit the service
curse the lawyers-you shall tell them, if
you will = ss
/; She was dragged into her berth, and the
boat rowed away in the darkness
Some times after dull volley came over
the sea to the vessel .fae
1t was over. 49:i
Fool I! mailman How I paced the deck
and cursed myself. All night long I paced
back and forth, and all night long I heard
the moaning of the poor stricken bird
Often [ halted and was tempted to throw
myself into the sea and so end this horrid
torture Of brain and heart
Days passed. Isaw nothing Of Laurette.
| would not see her. She avoided me, and
1 was glad of it. could not bear the sight
of that woe-stricken face
The mate, Garley, how hated him He
was as cool and unconcerned as though he
had no remembrance of shooting the poor
wretch
At Cayenne resigned my ship. Going
to the city, [ made all my arrangements,
and took the steamer for New York. I
placed ample funds in the hands of trusty
friend, and told him to send Laurette to NE
at the end of six months. [ could not see
her until her grief had lost its edge.
Weary, sick, and careless of my life, I
wandered off into New York State, and
finally bought little place where I hoped [
should lie down and die.
sent for Laurette Poor bird, I must
see her. could wait no longer.
One Summer night sat in the porch of
my house., smoking my pipe and gazing
down the road.
Soon the rumble of wheels vas heard and
the stage halted.
The next moment pair of soft arms WAS
around my neck, and the head of my sob
bing Laurette was on my breast.
ooh s! you dear excellent Captain
Heavens who is that behind you p
There stood the manly form of Antoine
Hlndsclear, the convict.
What does this mean y I demanded,
hardly knowing whether I was dreaming or
not.
Are you glad to see me p
Thank God Thank God!' was all I
could calculate.
I understood it ALL The mate, Garley,
had read my heart better than I had myself.
After leaving the brig in the boat be had
arranged the whole affair. The volley was
fired, but no bullet troubled Antoine Kinds
clear. He was struggled into his birth
again, and took care to avoid my sight
The whole crew were in the plot, and,
thank God, was duped.
I sent Garley a thousand dollars as a re-
ward.
[ am now an old man, but am happy.
My children and my grandchildren q call
them nothing else) seem to think old Cap
tain Fontainbleau is not such wretch after
all. 4 81