Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1872-08-24

seemed to fix its great red eyes upon
mine, fascinating like the eye Of a
Serpent. 1t was red, wide, raw,
staring like the nav of a fierce
wolf, | took my great coat and
hung it over both clock and letter,
and went upon deck to finish my
pipe.
We were now in the vicinity of
Cape de Verde islands, and the ship
was running before a fair wind at
the rate of ten miles an hour. 1t
was splcndin tropical night, the
stars were shining, the moon rising
above the horizon, as large as a sun
of silver, the line of ocean
parting it, and long streams of bare,
shimmering light falling upon the
waves, which, as they broke, spark
led like jewels.
All was still, except the fall of the
officer OF the watch, as he paced the
deck, gazing, as | was, upon the
shadow of the vessel, stealing over
the water.
| love silence and order, | hate
noise and confusion. The lights
should have all been cxtingui,bed
by this time; but | thought saw
a little red line of light beneath my
feet. At another time and place
this would have made me angry;
but that the light came from the
cabin Of my little dcporteS, | deter
mined to see what they were about.
The young girl was saying her
prayers. A lamp swung from the
ceiling lighted her room. She had
on a long, whitenight dress and her
fair, golden hair hoatcd over her
shoulder, and almost touched two
little bare feet which were pccping
from under her white dress, so
pretty. turned away; but pshawl
said |, am an old sailor! What
matters it?
The husband was sitting upon a
little bench, his head resting upon
his hands, looking at her as she
prayed. She raised her face to
Heaven, and then | saw that her
eyes were filled with tears. As she
rose, he said;
All, my sweet Laurette, as we
approach America, | cannot help be-
ing 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 answer
ed. al only wish it might last for
ever"
Suddenly cIasping his hands in q
transport Of love and affection he
said
"And yet, my little angel, l sec
YOU cry when you say your prayers
and that | cannot stand, for know
what causes it, and then | fear yor
must repent what YOU have done
Repent" " she said, in a sad tone
" Rcpcntof having come with you"
Do YOU think because | have becl
yours only such a very, very shor
time, that | should not love you
Was | not your wife? How can yol
be sorry that | should be with you
to live with you if you live, and t.
die with you if you are to die?" I.
"Ah, Laurette, Laurette! Whel
if our marriage had been delayed
only five days-only five days-tha
then | should have been ARRESTED
and transported alone, ! cannot for
give myself.
At this the little one stretched on
her round, white arms, clasped hi
head, pressed his forehead, his hoil
his eyes, smiling like a cherub, an,
murmuring all sorts of woman
fond things, | was quite affected
and considered it one of the pretties
} scenes | had ever witnessed.
"And besides, we are so yer
, rich, toow said she, bursting on
c laughing. Look at my purs'
t one gold louis d'or-all my world
4 wealth"
, He began to laugh, too.
! " Yes, dear, | have spent my la'
half crown. | gave it to the tello'
t who carried our trunks on board,
n "Ah, poor" cried she, "wh'
+ matters it? Nobody so poor
those who have nothing at all; b.
r sides | have my two diamond ring
c that my mother gave me; they al
good for something all the worI
: over; we can sell them when yc
e like; besides, / am sure that Il
captain meant kindly by us, and
d suspect he knows very well what
in the letter. 1t it a recommend
l tion to the Governor of Cayenne
e "Perhaps SO; who knows"
Il "To be sure it is" continued Il
d charming little wife. " You are
l. good, l am sure the government h
lbanished you only for a short tim
,f | know that they have no teeliI
ii against you"
it 1t was high time that the liz
Il should be stricken out, and now
ID raped on the deck, and called the
al to do so.
l. "Thcy instantly obcyed, and
ig heard them chattering like two l
e nocent schoolfellows.
& One morning when | awoke
was surprised not to feel the Sllgl
to est motion of the vessel. Hurr