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

letter. l remember that l kept looking q
it as I smoked my pipe; and it seemed t
fix its great great red eye upon mine, fasc
mating like the eye of serpent. 1t wa
red, wide, raw, staring like the NAV of
great wolf. took my great cloak AMI
hung it over both clock and letter. and wen
upon the deck to finish my pipe.
We were now in the vicinity Of Cape d
Z Verde 1slands-the Belle was running be
fore fair wind, at the rate Of ten miles al
hour.
1t vas splendid tropical night, the STAR
large and shining the moon rising above
the horizon as large as silver sun, the line
of ocean parting it, and long streams o
bare, shimmering light falling upon thu
waves, which as they broke, sparkled like
jewels. 9
/ sat upon the deck, smoking my pipt
and looking at them. al
All was still except the football of the off
Ger of the watch, as he paced the deck, gaz
ing, as I was, upon the shadow Of ethe yes
sci stealing over the silent water.
loved silence and order-I hate noise
and confusion. The lights should all have
been extinguished by this time, but when I
looked upon the deck thought / saw lit
tie hue oflight beneath my feet. AT anoth.
er 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.
| had only to look down. could see in
to the cabin from the skylight
The young girl was upon her knees-she
was saying her prayers. A lamp swinging
from the ceiling lighted her room. She had
on long white night-dress, and her fair
golden hair foated over her shoulders and
almost touched her little bare feet, which
were peeping from under her white dress,
SO pretty. turned away but pshaw
said I, am an old sailor. What matter
So I stayed. ~ aaa
The husband was sitting upon little
trunk, his head resting upon his hands,
looking at her as she prayed She raisad
her eyes to heaven, and then saw that her
eyes were filed with tears She looked
like Magdalene AS she rose, be said:
tAh, my sweet Laurette, as we approach
America, I cannot help being anxious-I
do not know why-but feel that this voy-
age has been the happiest part of our lives.
$50 it seems to me- she answered. 4
only wish it might last forever
Suddenly clasping his hands in trans
port Of love and affection, he said :: +
And yet, my little angel, I see you cry
when you say your prayers, and that [ can
not stand, for / know what causes it, and
then fear you must repent what you have
done.'
Repent she said, in sad, rebuking
tone. Repent Of having come with you -
Do you think because I have been yours
only such very short time, that should
not love you? Was I not your wife p
How can you be sorry that should be with
you, to live with you if you live, and to die
with you if you are to die 2
The young man began to sigh, striking
the floor impatiently with his feet, while be
kissed repeatedly the little hand and arm
which she was holding out. IL.
"Ah, Laurette, Laurette When I think
if our marriage had been delayed only FIVE
days, only five days, and then I should have
been arrested and transported alone, I
cannot forgive myself
At this the little one stretched out her
round white arms, clasped his head, pressed
his forehead, his hair, his eyes. smiling like
cherub, and murmuring all sorts of wo-
mans fond things.
was quite affected, and considered it one
Of the prettiest scenes I had ever witnessed.
And, besides, we are SO very rich, too ?
said she, bursting out laughing. Look at
my purse-one gold d or-all my worldly
wealth.
He began to laugh, too.
Yes, dear, I have spent my last half
crown. [ gave it to the fellow who carried
our trunks on board
'Ab, poor = cried she, what matters it
Nobody so merry as those that have nothing
at all !; besides, 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,
am sure that the captain meant kindly by
us, and suspect he knows very we'll what
is in the letter. 1t is recommendation to
the Governor of Cayenne
Perhaps so; who knows 2
TO be sure it u.s. continued the charming
little wife. You are so good. I am sure
the Government has banished you only for
short time. know they have no ill-feeling
against you $3.50
It was high time that the light should be
stricken out, and now I raped on the deck
and called to them to do so.
They instantly obeyed, and heard them
laughing and chattering like two innocent
school-fellows.
One morning when I awoke I was sur
prised not to feel the slightest motion Of the
vessel. Hurrying on deck, found that we
were becalmed. Latitude, one degree north
longitude, between twenty-seven and twenty.
eight degrees west.
I waited until night, when I descended
to my cabin and opened the letter, with
dull, awful feeling. held my breath while
| broke the big read seal, and read:
Captain Fontainbleau The convict An.
tome 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 all these
orders are carried into effect
read the letter backward and forward.
I went on deck.
There they stood, she looking upon the
ocean, and be gazing upon her with an ex-
preston Of unutterable fondness.
Catching his eye, I signed for him to
come into the cabin, and bidding her good
bye, he came down, his face all smiles.
I was bathed in a cold sweat; felt as il
deadly sick; I handed him the letter, and
he read it, together with the death warrant
which was drawn up in due form and at.
tached. gathered voice as he finished.
He colored slightly and bowed.
I asked nothing, captain, he said, in the
same gentle voice that ALWAYS characterized