Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-08-17

ing at IneIn.
All was still, except the footfal
of the officer of the watch, as hG
paced the deck, gazing, as 1 was
upon the shadow of the vessel, steal.
ing oyer the silent water.
| love silence and order-I hate
noise and confusion. The light:
should all have been extinguishe6
by this time; but when l looked up.
on the deck thought | saw a little
red hue of light beneath my feet
At another time and place this
would have made me angry; but
knowing that the light came from
the cabin of my little deporteS, de,
termined 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 heI
knees, she was saying her prayers
A lamp swinging from the ceiling
lighted her room. She had on 8
long white nightdress, and her fair
golden hair flOated over her shoul.
ders, and almost touched two little
bare feet, which were peeping from
under her white dress, so pretty,
turned away; but pshawl said l,
am an old sailorl What matters 1T
So l stayed.
The husband was sitting upon 6
little trunk, his head resting on his
hands, looking at her as she prayed
She raised her face to heaven, and
then saw her eyes were filled with
tears. She looked like Magdalene
ohn Irnan hn aai6
"Ah, my sweet Laurette, as we
approach America, l cannot helI
being anxious-I do not know why
but feel that this voyage has beer
the happiest part of our lives"
$50 it seems to me-" she answ er
ed. 81 only wish it might last for
ever"
Suddenly clasping his hands in 6
transport of love and affection, he
said:
"And yet, my little angel, 1 see
you cry when you say your prayers
and that 1 cannot stand, for know
what causes it, and then l fear you
must repent what you have done.
"Repent," she said, in a sad, re.
buking tone. "Repent of having
come with you. Do you think be-
cause l have been yours only such a
very short time, that I should not
Lowell Was l not your wife? Eow
can you be sorry that l should be
" it'll you, to live with you if you
live, and to die with you if you are
to die?"
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, Laurettel When
l think if our marriage had been de.
layed only five days, that then ]
should have been arrested and
transported alone, 1 cannot forgive
myself.
AT this the little one stretched
out her round white arms, claspeC
his head, pressed his forehead, his
hair, his eyes, smiling like cherub
and murmuring all sorts of woman:
fond things. l was quite affected
and considered it one of the pret
test scenes had ever witnessed.
"And besides; we are so very ricI
too % said she, bursting out laugh
ing. 'Look at my purse, one golt
louis dor all my worldly veal tn
He began to laugh too.
eyes, dear, l have spent my las
half crown. l gave it to the fellow
who carried our trunks on board
"Ah, poor ~ cried she, "wha
matters it? Nobody so merry a
those that having nothing at all; be
sides have my two diamond ring
that my mother gave me; they ar
good for something all the worlC
over; we can sell them when yoI
like; and besides, am sure that tn
captain meant kindly by us, and
suspect he knows very well what i
in the letter. 1t is a recommends
tion to the Governor of Cayenne.
"Perhaps so; who knoWs?"
"To be sure 1t is" continued tn
charming little wife. "You-sre 81
good, l am sure the government ha
banished you only for a short time
1 know they have no feeling agains
you"
1t was high time that the Hgh
should be stricken out, and now
raped on the deck and called then
to.do so.
They instantly obeyed, and
heard them laughing and chatterin
like two innocent school-fellows.
One morning when 1 awoke l wa
surprised not to feel the slightes
motion of the vessel. Hurrying o.
deck, found that we were becalm
ed. Latitade, one degree north
longitude, between twenty-seve
and twenty-eight degrees west.
| waited until night, when l dc
seconded TO my cabin and opened tn
letter with a dull, awful feeling.
held my breath while l broke tn
big red seal, and read:
| CAPTAIN FoNTAINBLEAU The eonvic
Antoine Hindsclear, stands convicted
high treason against the Republic. The d
Tectory order that he be shot in mid-oceaI
and you are hereby instructed to see tha
these orders are carried into effect"
1 read the letter backward an
forward. L went on deck. Their
they were, she looking upon tn
ocean, and he gazing upon her wit
an expression of unutterable fond
ness. Catching his eye, 1 signed 70
him to come into the cabin, and bid
ding her goOd-by, he came down, hi
face all smiles.
Twas sbathed in a cold sweat;
felt as if deadly sick; handed hiI
the letter, and he read it, togethe
with the death warrant, which wa
drawn up in due form and attached
L gathered voice as he finished.
He colored slightly and bowed.
81 ask nothing, captain" he saiC
in the same gentle voice that alway
characterized his speech: "no ma
can be expected to sWerVe from hi
duty. l only wish to speak fe1
words to Laurette, and to entres
you to take care of her if she SUI
vives-I hardly think she will"
"All that is fair, my good fellow,
l cried. "If you request it, l wi
carry her back to France, to hC
family. Twill never leave her unit
she wishes to be rid of me, but l d
not think she will survive it."
He took my hand and pressed i
"Most kind captain, see you su
fer more in this business than do
but there is no help for it. 1 trui
you viii preserve what little pr(
perty of miae is left, for her SAX
and that you will take care sh
gets what her poor old mother ma
leave her. Iput her life, her homo
in your hands. She is" (and ho-
fondly low bis voice became)
delicate little creature-her chest
often affected; she must keep
warm; and if she should keep th
two diamond rings her mother CAV
her, should be glad; but, of cour;
if money is needed, they must g
Ny poor Laurette-how pretty 81
looks"
1t was getting too much for M
and 1 began to knit my brows.
7 HOue word is as poOd as a thoI