The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-08-14
THE MYSTERIOUS M4RK.

4
roll - shouted a cheerful passenger, cast
| ing patronizing glances at the billowy
waste on whose heaving bosom our good
ship was tossed like plaything.
/ ''Roll on and be hanged to il - grumb-
led I, .'if only 20 roll me-
1t was my first acquaintance with Nep-
tune, and we didn't get along well togeth-
er To say the truth, l was in no amia-
ble mood. 1 had disagreed with the stew
ard about the quality of steak he had sent
me for my breakfast, and, finally, had dis
agreed with my breakfast itself and part
ed company with it.
1t was while leaning over the taff-rail at
this point, that my feelings were narrowed
by the poetical passengers quotation.
i'You are sea-sici,'' he remarked
q see am, . answered gruffly, intend
ing no pun, but a decided criticism ON the
! self-obviousness of the statement.
Eve a sovereign specific for that mala-
! dy, said the stranger.
/ ''You'r re a lucky man." ! grunted.
Il should be happy to furnish you with
| it. he replied i have an abundant sup
ply of it,
..Anything,'' said I'm take anything
even arsenic enough to put me out Of my
misery"
Come below, saidhe. Where your
state room ?'' he inquired when we had de-
scsEded the stairway.
led the way to it.
s>Now, lie down." said he, ''and I'll fix
| you up directly"
threw off my coat and tumbled into
the berth The benevolent gentlemen
went out and returned quickly with some
thing which he put into glass with some
water and gave to me. L swallowed 1t
without a question. The effect was al
most instantaneous. \ gentle languor
stole over me, then followed what a little
before should have hailed as the acme of
bliss, complete unconsciousness,
Whether it was the effect of the medi-
cine, or because the weather grew milder
much obliged to the weather if that was
it know not but when | awoke, which
was after the lapse of several hours,
found myself, if not recovered, at least
convalescent Next day l had gained my
legs, and found no other Inconvenience.
MI Rolckson-by which name l learn
! ed to know my Byronic benefactor-and
myself grew to be intimate friends He
was an inexhaustible taller. With men
| he was an agreeable companion with Ia
| dies he was captivating, charming, fascin-
ating.
We had an exquisite young creature on
board, scarcely out of her teens, on her
wav to ioin an elderly lady aunt, in an IN
| land English town, said to have testament
ary designs upon, which, if carried out,
would place her in the front rank of matri-
monial prizes. To this young lady Mr..
Rolickson paid special attention. lie read,
talked and quoted poetry to her, till her
pretty little head was turned, and before
the voyage was over, their engagement be-
gan to he talked of on the ship.
Stress of weather made the voyage
slow one. 1t was more than two weeks
after we lost sight of the highlands of
Neversinlx bofore landed at Liverpool
/ had hardly set foot on shore, and had
not had time to congratulate myself on
the fact. when a hand was laid briskly on
my shoulder.
..You must go with me-" said deter
mined voice in my ear.
turned about quickly, and found my
self confronted 10y man who might have
set for Dickens portrait Of Inspector
Bucket.
THE fewer words here the BETTER" he
added. as | was about to speak. ''Nih
You come quickly, or shall summon as
sistancc ?'
| demanded an explanation.
s.You shall have it i'll due time, was
the answer. ''Do you intend TO come ,
peaccably or not ?''
4 short staff surmounted by crown, ,
produced 10y the speaker, convinced me he
had authority to enforce my obedience, .
and l walked along 10y his side.
your name is Roach, said thin,
sharp man into whose presence l was at .
length ushered.
..Tt is not | answered.
ssProbably you will also deny having .
three stars tattooed on the back of your .
left arm. Just above the elbow?' he sar- 4
donically added.
II do deny it, said. Il bear no such /
mark
.eThat is easily tested,'' was the reply. .
oTurn mp his sleeve, Jarvis -
The assistant obeyed.
AZ think we have the right man." said
the latter.
s.Quite sure of it, replied the sharp
man, after glance at the exposed ifieIl-
ber.
twisted my arm. so as to gain viewof
the part in question, and was utterly
amazed 70 find the mark described by the
officer.
"I-I never saw it before" stammered
confusediy.
..Such statements will do you out little
GOOD said the officer first you deny
veur name, next the existence of mark,