The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-02-03

HlOOhEu EAEAAAaN - ~
Arthur smiled and bit his lip beneatl
his beard. Yesterday a soft cheel
had been pressed against his face
and two suppliant arms chung TO him
with the cry, Hide me! | am afraid.
To-day the sunset wrought miracles
She did not know him. Not that b,
, cared. He went to his cabin anC
wrote a letter to his fancee in Eng
land.
As for Caprice, she few up stair
when she reached home, and watch
ed the gig pull alongside Of th'
PSYCHE. Then she laid her head OF
the window-ledge and burst into des.
pairing tears.
The governors Christmas bal
raised excitement to fever heat il
this miniature world, and when j
was over Caprice stood at her win.
dow. The clock struck two. Witt
Caprice all was dark and still; over
wonder there was confusion, noise,
aud blind haste. A man stole along
the wall and grasped her wrist.
Quick! Help me! | have escaped
by firing the building"
Il knew you would come" She
/ shrank and shivered.
Trust me for that! How on earth
did you get here?"
Il thought ii was out Of the
world"
Where you could hide from me
eb? 4 pleasant suggestion Do me
Justice once, Margaret"
Come TO-" she said, despondingly.
She brought him food and wine. A
heap Of Silas Dearborn's garments
was produced for him to select a
disguise. No. 40 was touched. He
watched her critically, admiringly.
why were you transported" she
faltered.
Got hard up, and forged the old
mans name"
"You can't escape she added
presently. Her face was deadly
pale, her hands lev cold, Ter compo.
sure forced.
81 will try. Am | to work from
sunrise to sunset in a gang? Life is n
bagatelle. If | fail You have q
boat. Time presses. Get bread and
water, q chronometer and telescope,
if you can"
She placed her hands on bis shout
ders suddenly. How could YOU do
liz"
Number 40 was a handsome man
when the prison look died out Of bis
face.
Because | loved you, ] suppose"
Then be took her in his arms and
kissed her. She did not repulse him.
The Swan rode at anchor below.
In the darkness be furled the sail and
stood on the sea. Caprice crouched
in the window, hiding her tace.
When she raised her head it Was day
and NJ sail was visible Oh the broad
ocean.
A little later Alfred Dearborn came
over the hill.
"The convict who stole your boat
has been captured aud brought back
by a schooner" he said.
The moon shown down on land
and sea. The parish church was
white in the silverv radiance, like
purest marble, and a woman sar
on the step gazing up at the tower
There's safety under the cross" she
murmured.
Alfred Dearborn, coming from the
vestry, paused in surprise. Caprice
what mad freak is this? Pray regard
conventionalities."
81 wish TO see you" she said, dc
liberately / am in trouble. YoJ
should be a father ~confessOr. Listen
| was left an orphan in the care o.
my aunt. She was rich. and she haC
a clever, INSCRIPTIONS son who
spent her money. We went from
London to Scotland for her health.
| was seventeen years old. A pby.
stefan wished to marry me, and my
aunt approved. NY cousin began to
make presents. One day we were
forced TO seek shelter in a farmhouse
by the rain, where a curious mar
dwelt. My cousin laughed st me
about marrying the doctor.
Let us rehearse the scene be said,
gayly. Then he took my hand with
some mock formula, and | retorted
merrily, and the curious man wit
messed our sport. Afterward he in
formed me that We were married &C
cording to the Scotch law. ! begged
him not to tell my aunt until he re-
turned from a journey. | hated him
for the advantage be had taken of
my ignorance. / ran away. Well,
a lady took me as nurse on the voy-
age TO America. | fell i'll, and they
deserted me in the vessel. Number
40 is nag husband"
The clergyman stood sghast-
"You?" he finally articulated.
4 am what circumstances have
made me" she retorted quickly. u
thought L could live here. l shall
not keep your uncle's fortune"
God help you :" be said, gently.
" You will never stand alone while !
am here" Thus collapsed the young
clergyman's cloud Of happiness.
The schooner had brought more
than the escaped convict-a poison
seed to take root, and spread a rank
plant OF disease. Faces blanched
with fear in the darkened houses T;
the streets of the town were desert
ed p~estilence brooded in the still
sunshine; soldiers were perishing
ike sheep the convicts were smitten
down. Numbers SO, 40, and Al of a
certain hulk had the fever. A young
sailor lay in one of the hospitals.
Caprice came to his side calmly, ar
rayed in white, and placed flowers on
his pallet.
Lord Arthur Drummond was there
to inspire courage, and Alfred Dear
born with unceasing ministrations.
Both men grew pale at sight Of the
] elSrl. -s~ls-I go, ., 49, Cr,alfr1