The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-01-27

'eSIry, paused In surprise. Caprice,
what mad freak is this2 Pray regard
conventionalities.
i wish to sec you," she said, delib-
erately. g am in trouble. You should
be father confessor Listen. / was
left IN orphan in the care of my aunt.
She was not rich, and she had clever,
unscrupulous son who spent her money
We went from London to Scotland for
her health. l was seventeen years old.
A physician wished to marry me, and
my aunt approved. My cousin began to
make presents. One day we were forced
to seek shelter III farm house by the
rain, wlere curious sort of man dwelt.
My cousin laughed Mt me about marry
ing the doctor. Let us rehearse the
scene, he said, gayly. Then he took
my hand with some mock formula, and I
retorted merrily, and the curious man
witnessed our sport. Afterward he in
formed me that we were married accord
ing to the Scotch law. L begged him
not to tell my aunt until he returned
from journey. hated him for the adj
vantage taken of my ignorance. [ ran
away. Well, a lady took me as nurse on
the voyage to America. I fell i'll, and
they deserted me in the vessel. Number
40 is my husband"
The clergyman stood aghast. "You q"
he finally calculated.
am what circumstances have made
me" she retorted, quickly. "I thought
l could live here. 1 shall not keep your
uncie's fortune"
God help you" he said, gently.
g You will never stand alone while I am
here" Thus collapsed the young clergy
mans cloud of happiness.
The schooner had brought more than
the escaped convict-a poison seed to
take root, and spread O rank plant of
disease. Faces blanched with fear in
the darkened houses; the streets of the
town were deserted; pestilence brooded
III the still sunshine; soldiers were per-
ishing like sheep the convicts we're
smltten down. Numbers 80, 40 and Al
OF certain hulk had the fever A young
sailor lay in one of the hospitals. Ca
price came to his side calmly, arrayed in
white and placed flowers on his pallet.
Lord Arthur Drummond was there to
inspire courage, and Alfred Dearborn
with unceasing ministrations, Both men
grew pale at sight of the slight girlish
form in that dreadful place.
am not afraid. Let me do some
thing"
"Will you go home for my sake 2"
urged Lord Arthur.
You may take it," she shuddered.
These words We're very sweet to him
Would you care DO you love me,
Caprice z"
She sighed and re-entered her pony
carriage.
"I am ordered North at once, this
evening. In half an hour [ will be Mt
Mount Hill. Marry me-, and let me take
you also. Say yes, my love. You have
become more than all the world besides
to me-"
How eloquent and tender the cold
eyes had become Caprice quailed be-
fore them. Here WAS II proud, reserved
man pleading his cause passionately in
the broad street before a hospital door
Alfred Dearborn, weary and depressed,
! approached the other side of the vehicle
For her ear alone these words were ut
tered, compnssionately, "Numbers 80
and Al are convalescing; 40 was buried
last night. He was not prepared to die. -
Th at was all. The girl gathered up
the reins of her pheton with dazed ex-
preston and drove away.
Lord Arthur fastened to Mount Hill,
his heart beating high, his brain in q
tumult of novel emotion. Had he ever
loved the honorable Maud with more
than n calm affectionf This was no time
for prudence or hesitation. Death in
awful guise was lowering over the islands,
watching ever for fresh prey He re-
Joiced Ill being ordered away, that he
might carry off his darling from danger
Perhaps he was glad that no timo was
allowed for possible twinges of remorse.
He must claim Caprice. He could not
leave her behind. And yet he had al
ways prided himself on being an honor
able gentleman.
Caprice was not Mt home. Woffy was
stupid and impenetrable. Captain
Drummond would wait which he did,
with his gaze fixed impatiently OH the
dial of the old clock. Then he rushed
out to find her. An hour, two hours,
slipped by. Still the silent house and
the ticking clock. Good heavens where
was shei A flag futtered from the
Psyche, slender thread of smoke issued
from the funnel. He strove to write,
and cast aside tho pen. lie must see
her. \ sickening doubt began to op-
press him. Woffy blinked with her cnn-
ming eyes, and held her peace. In grief
and wrath he prepared to depart at
length.
"Tcll your mistress that am deeply
disappointed. Ii she will write me, 1
leave n card"
A last look at the old house, and he