The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-08-22
raped on the deck, and'callcd then

10 10 ~.
"Thcy instantly obeyed, and
heard them chattcring like two in
noccnt schoollellows.
One morning when | awoke
was surprised not to feel the slight
est motion of the vessel. Hurry.
ing on deck, | found that we were
becalmcd. Latitude, one degree
north; longitude, between twenty
seven and twenty-eight degrees
west.
| waited until night, when / de-
sccndcd to my cabin and opened the
letter, with a dull, awful feeling. |
held my breath while | broke the
big red seal, and read
" Captain Fontainbleau.-The
convict Antoine lIindsclear 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
forward. ! went on deck. There
they were, she looking upon the
ocean, and he gazing upon her with
an expression Of unutterable fond
ness. Catching his eye, | signed for
HIM to come into the cabin, and bid
ding her goodbye, he came down,
his face all smiles,
| was bathcd in a cold sweat; |
felt as if deathly sick; | handed him
the letter, aud he read it, together
with the death warrant. which was
drawn up in due form and attached.
| gathered voice as he finished.
lie coIored slightly and bowed.
"Iask nothing, Captain" he said,
in the same gentle voice that always
characterized his speech; "no man
can be expected to swcrvefrom
his duty. | only wish to speak
a few worlds to Laurcttc, and to en-
treat you to take care Of her if she
survivcs--I hardly think she wilI.'
"AII that is fair, my good fellow"
| cried. "lf you request it, | will
carry her back to France, to her
family. | will never leave her un-
til she wishes to get rid of me, but
| do not think she will survive it,"
lie took my hand and pressed it.
"Most kind captain, | see You
suffer more in this BUSINESS than |
do-but there is no help for it. |
trust you will preserve what little
property of mine is left, for her sake,
and that you will take care that she
gets what her poor old mother may
leave her. | put her life, her honor,
in your hands. She is" (and how
fondly low his voice becamc) "a
delicate little crcature--her chest is
often affected; she must keep il
warm; and if she could keep the the
two diamond rings her mother gave
her, ! should be glad; but Of course
if money is needed, they must go.
My poor Laurettc-how pretty she
looks. "
1t was getting too much for me.
and / began to kuit my brows,
"One word is as good as a thou
sand" said. ave understand
each other. Go to her"
/ squeezed his hand; he looked
wistfulIy at me, and | added: "Stay
a moment, let me give you a Wort
of advice. Don't say word to her
be easy; that is my business. l
shall be managed in the best man
ner.'
"Ahn said he, 81 did not under,
stand; yes, much better. Beside
this Icavc-taking! this takingD
EYES," said |, "don't behave like
a child-much better. No leave,
taking if you can help it, or you arr
lost. "
| kept my scat. | saw then
walking arm in arm for about bal
an hour.
| called the mate to me, and whcl
he had read the letter, | said:
"Garley, this is a bad business
bad business. | put it in YOU
hands. | obey their order, but re
main in the cabin until it is over.
"How do you wish the thing
donc?' he asked in a nonchalan
manner.
"Takc him in a boat-out o
sight; do it as quick as possible
don't say anything of this till thu
time comes"
Garley sat five minutes looking a
me without saying a word. He wa
a strange fellow. | didn'tknow wha
to make of him. He then went on
Of the cabin without sayinga word
Night came at last. "NIan a boat
go a quarter of a mile; be quick"
To obey a slip'of paper! for i
was but slip after all. Something
in the air must have urged me on
| saw the young man kneel dowl
before his Laurettc; kiss her knees
her feet. her gown. | cried like /
mailman