Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-07-18

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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-the Belle was running be-
fore a fair wind at the rate OF ten miles an
hour. 1t was a splendid tropical night,
the stars large and shining; the moon ris-
ing above the horizon, as large as sun OF
silver, the line of ocean parting it, and
long streams of bare, shimmcring light fall
ing upon the waves, which, as they broke,
sparkled like jewels. sat upon the deck
smoking 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 / was, upon the shadow of the
vessel, stealing over the silent water.
| | love silence and order-l hate noise
and confusion. The lights should all have
been cxtinguished by this time; but when
I looked upon 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, / determined to see what they
were about.
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 her room. She
had on a long white night dress, ana her
fair, golden hair foated over her shoulders,
and almost touched two little bare feet
which were peeping from under her white
dress, so pretty. | turned away; pshaw!
said |, | am an old sailor. What matters
it? So stayed.
The husband was sitting upon a little
trunk his head resting upon his hands,
looking at her while she prayed. She
raised her face to heaven, and then saw
her eyes were filled with tears. She
looked like Magdalene. As she rose he
said:
"Ah, my sweet Laurette, as we approach
America, cannot help being anxious
DO not know why-but feel that this
voyage has been the happiest part of oul
lives"
$50 it seems TO me-" she answered. 81
only wish it might last forever"
Suddenly clasping his hands in trans
port Of love he said:
"And yet, my little angel, | see you cry
when you say your prayers, and that
cannot stand, for | know what causes 1t
and then fear you must repent what yor
have done"
"Repcnt," she said, in a sad, rcbukine
tone. "Repcnt of having come with you
Do you think because have been your;
only such very, very short time, that
should not love You? Was not YOU
wife, 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 ?"
The young man began to sigh, striking
the floor impatiently with his Feet, Will,
he kissed repeatedly the little hand anC
arm she was holding out.
"Ah, Laurette, Laurette. When
think if our marriage had been delayed
only five days, only five days, that then
should have been arrested and transported
alone, cannot forgive myself
At this the little one stretched out he
round white arms, clasped his head
pressed his forehead, his hair, his eyes
smiling like cherub, and murmuring al
sorts of womans fond things. was quit
affected, and considered it one Of tn
pretticst scenes had ever witnessed.
"And besides, we are so rich, too !" SAT-
? she bursting out laughing. Look at m,
, purse one gold louis d'or-all my world
} wealth."
{ lie beg to laugh too.
Yes, dear, l have spent my last crown
, | gave 1t to the fellow who carried on
$ trunks on board"
! "Ah, poor" cried she, "what matter
| it 7" Nobody 50 merry as those who hay
r nothing at all; besides have my tw
diamond rings that my mother gave me
: they are good for something all the worl
4 over; we can sell them when you lkt
4 and besides, I am sure that the capital
meant kindly by us, and | suspect b
!. knows very well what is in the letter
= is 3 recommendation to the Governor {
Y Cayenne"
"Perhaps so; who knows I"
II "To be sure it is continued the charm
@ ing little wife. you are so good, | al
}. sure the government has banlshcd yo
only for a short time. | know they hay
II no feeling against you
n 1t was high time that the light shoul
n be stricken out, and now raped on tn
d deck and told them to do so.
t They instantly obeyed, and heard thel
d laughing and chattering like two innocer
II schoolelows.
IS One morning, when | awokc, ! W:
Q surprised not to feel tic slightest motto
II of the vessel. ITurrymg on deck | foun
that we were becalmed. Latitude, or
II degree north; between twenty-seyen an
twenty eight degrees west.
it Iwalted until right, when ] descende
Y to my cabin and opened the letter, with
: dali, awful feeling. | held my bIeat
il while | broke the big red seal and read;
l. Captain Fountainblcau--1'he conylc
,e Antoine Hindsclear, stands convicted
n high treason against the republic. IT
- Directory order that he be shot in mir
|, ocean, and you are hereby instructed
ID see that these orders are carried int
S. effect"
m | read the letter backward and torwar
,e ! went on deck. There they were, 81
lr looking upon the ocean and he gazing upc
o. her with an expression of unutterab
n tondness. Catching bis eye | signed #
III him to come into the caCin, and, biddil
~ her good.by, he came down, his face g
in smiles.
e. was bathed IN cold sweat; | felt as
Mt deadly sick; ! handed him the letter al
nc he read it, together with the death wa
at rant, which was drawn up in due form al
attached. gathered voice as he &nishe
ng He colored slightly and bowed.
ey 81 ask nothing. Cirtlin,' he said in Il
| same gentle voice that always characterize
his speech; "no man can be expected
ma Crorvo from, HE ,lut,y | C,ly ,,;eb