St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1875-12-17

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mind. but never that moment when we
stand on the brink of the grave brought
tlither by the prospect of an awful
death.
1t happened in this way. | had been
III Australia for about five years, during
which time | had amassed tolerable
fortune, when began to long to see
the old country again-a desire cOnsid-
erably Strengt hemed by the fact that
the girl | loved, and who had consented
to be my wife, WIS going to England.
and | could not bear the thought of
such an extent of ocean between us, 50
| determined 10 90 too. and let our
marriage take place there.
May Brodstone WAS the only daugh-
ter of Wcll-tO-do squattcr, aud the
prcttiest, incest girl for miles around
the station, though until | had become
acquainted with her, rather fond of II
bit of girlish Irritation. This was the
worst for me us il turned out.
Among the many admirers was one
Jacob kiel. Dark haired, dark eyed.
dark compleXioned, he wass- of thar
class of men who feel strongly, and
who never forget an injury-like wilt!
cats, they are nasty customers to oifenu.
Well, May, fear, had tlirted some
what with Jacob Kiel, who | really he
lieve loved the very ground she walked
on, though she declared-and knew it
WAS true that she had never given
him the slightest hope.
1t was about this time that | appear
ell upon the scene; and she discovered
that she had found the right man, as |
had found the right girl. May Brod-
stone instantly gave up all her old adj
mlrcrS, was as steady us gum tree
when no wind blows, and finally said
the Yes" upon which my happiness
depended.
Old MIR. Brodstone knew that the
match would be ii good one. and readi-
ly gave his consent; so that our en-
gagement was soon made public. WAS
present when the news reached Jacob
klel. | never shall forget his face.
His lips We're compressed, his eyes con-
tracted he looked fl"m May to me,
and felt that, if ever he could, he
would do me mischief. Without Il Syl-
liable he quilted the place. y strange
sensation ran through me iIs he depart
ed; and May told me that Il cold shud-
der had Iun through her veins.
We dId not see much of kiel after
tins, though We knew he WIS often
about the station upon business and
the man somehow threw Il kind of
shadow oven Mays and my happiness
and we Were not at all sorry when we
got on board the steamer and steamed
oil towards old England. We had not ,
however. got clear out of sight of land
when Nav. giving il cry. put her hand
on my arm. and slightly nodding her
head towards the lower deck said
"Oh, Edward. look he is here. too p
And 80 he was. Leaning quietly
oven the side. Watching the land appar-
entity. was Jacob kieI passenger for
England. like ourselves.
will own that | was considerably
ANNOYED. though when Nav. dIavin.
nearer. exclaimed in Il low. startled
voice, "EdwaId. dear. don't know
how it is. but dread that mani can
not divest my mind of the Thought that
hr means to harm us" | laughed. and
tried to hamiSh So absurd an idea. And
certainly il appcmcd had every right
to do So. Save hv IA casual interchange
of Il few words. Kiel never troubled us ;
We were ullh ll1 IL G3llI1l tourney ',
and we were within twenty degrees of
the line. when we were struck by hur-
rir.,nr. which the captain declared WAS
almost II cyclone in violence.
The vessel could not weather it. The
mn>t crashed overheard. taking several
of the crew with them. and before the
week could hr cut adrit! portion of
the broken >pars da~hin" against the,
ship had caused Il leak below the water
lin" and the cry WAS. I'VE are sinking
Lower the boats the pumps are Use
less
fh" captain WIS marvel"uSly firm
aud r""l, aud 10y his example made Us
all the same.
The boats were rapidly lowered and
hIlrd. NhIl". thank Heaven. the storm
seemed I" abatc. The women went
first. of course. and all WAS proceeding
we'll. when just as the last boat WAS he
my titled. | remembered that in my
hurry had LETT my mothers miniature
III my chest. There WAS plenty of time
t" fetch ii. and III second WAS down
III the cabin.
fIInGim% til" lld open. my hand WIS
Airrddy upon The likeness when heard
Il foot Hp"n tl'" stairs. | TUNED and
by the dim light Vet swinging from the
roof perceived ,jacoh kicl.
Good heavens. The diaholical cx-
prcS>iom ON his face. he iicnd>h malir"
i'll his dark. Snake-li>c eyes. revealed
his intention in Il moment He had
come to do me some deadly harm.
Lcaping up. seized my revolver. to
he on my guard: but an attack waa
not his purpose.
Before could prevent him he had
quickly closed the cabin door and lock-
,.J If n,, tho ,,,ts;Jo