The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-12-26

my pipe, and looking at them.
All was still, except the football of the
officer of the watch, as he paced the deck
gazing, as l was, upon the shadow of the
vessel, stealing over the silent water.
l love silence and order-I hate noise
and confusion. The lights should have
all been extinguished by this time but
when looked upon the deck thought
saw little red hue of light beneath
my feet. At another Hme and place this
would have made me angry; but know
ing that the light came from the cabin
of my little deportes, l determined to see
what they were about.
| 1 had only to look down. could see
into the cabin from the skylight.
The young girl was upon her knees
she was saying her prayers. A lamp
swinging from the ceiling lighted he1
room. She had on a long white night.
dress, and her fair, golden hair hoated
over her shoulders, and almost touched
two little bare feet which were peepine
| from under her white dress. so pretty
l turned away; but pshaw said 1, l am
an old sailor! What matter it So ]
stayed.
The husband was sitting upon little
trunk, his head resting upon his hands,
locking at her as she prayed. She raised
her face to heaven, and then saw that
her eyes were filled with tears, She look
ed like Magdalene. AS she rose he
said
"Ah, my sweet Laurette, as we ap-
proach America, 1 cannot help being
anxious-I do not know why-but feel
that this voyage has been the happiest
part of our lives"
$50 it seems to me-" she answered.
al only wish it might last longer"
| Suddenly clasping his hands in trans
port of love and affection, he said:
"And yet, my little angel, see you
cry when you say your prayers, and that
l cannet stand, for knew what causes
it, and then fear you must repent what
you have DONE"
Repent" she said, in a sad, rebuking
tone. Repent of having come with
you. Do you think because 1 have been
yours only such very short time, that
l should not love youP Was not your
wife How can you be sorry that I
should be with you, to live with yon if
you live, and to die with you if you are
to die Z"
The young man began to sigh, striking
the floor impatiently with his feet, while
he kissed repeatedly the little hand and
arm which she was holding out.
"Ah, Laurette, Laurette When I
think if our marriage had been delayed
only five days, that then I should have
been arrested and transported alone, l
cannot forgive myself"
At this the little one stretched out her
round white arms, clssped his head,
pressed his forehead, his hair, his eyes,
smiling like cherub, and murinuring
all sorts of women's fond things. 1
was quite affected, and considered it one
of the prettiest scenes 1 had ever wit
messed.
"And besides, we are so rich, too !"
said he, bursting out laughing. "Look
a. my purse, one gold louis d'or,-all my
worldly wealth."
She began to laugh too.
Eyes, dear, have spent my last crown.
l gave it to the fellow who carried our
trunks on board"
"Ah, poor !" cried she, "what matters
it !? Nobody so merry as those that have
nothing at all; besides L have my two
diamond rings that my mother gave me:
they are good for something all the
world over; we can sell them when YOU
like; and besides, l am sure that the
captain meant kindly by us, and l sus-
pect he knows very well what is in the
letter. 1t is recommendation to the Gov
ernor Of Cayenne"
perhaps SO; who knows!"
"To be sure it is" continued the
charming little wife. you are 80 good,
am sure the government has banished
you only for short time. know they
have no feeling against you"
1t was high time that the light should
be stricken out, and now raped on the
deck and called them to do so.
They instantly obeyed, and heard
them laughing and chattering like two
innocent schoolfellows.
One morning when I aweke l was
surprised not to feel the slightest motion
of the vessel. Hurrying on deck 1 found
that we were becalmed. Latitude, one
degree north, longitude, between TWEEN
ty-seven and twenty-eight degrees west.
l waited until night, when descend
ed to my cabin and opened the letter,
with dull, awful feeling. 1 held my
breath while broke the big red seal, and
read
Captain Fontainbleau The convict
Antoine Hindsclear stands convicted of
high treason against the Republic. The
directory order that he be shot, in mid
ocean, and you are hereby instructed to
see that these orders are carried into
effect"
read the letter backward and for
ward. went on deck. There they
were, she looking upon the ocean, and
he gazing upon her with an expressio&
of unutterable fondness. Catching his
eye signed for him to come into the
cabin, and, bidding her good-by, he came
down, his face all smiles.
/ was bathed in cold sweat; felt as
if deadly sick. handed him the letter,
and he read it, together with the death
warrant, which was drawn up in due
form and attached. gathered voice as
he finished.
He colored slightly and bowed.
ask nothing, captain" he said, in
the same gentle voice that always char
acterized his speech, "no man can be ex-
pected to swerve from his duty. I only
wish to speak few words to Laurette,
and to entreat you to take care of her if
she, survives me,-I hardly think she
will"
"All that is fair, my good fellow" l
cried. "1f you request it, will carry
hsr back to France, to her family. will
never leave her until she wishes to be rid
of me, but 1 do not think she will sur