Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-08-03

lessness for which he was not accountable
Mr.. Woodville "psha'dr at everything
we strove TO advance In dear Toms exten
uation. All his pity was for Captain Mark
leham; aud In one incessant battle o
words, the time sped until Tom arrived il
London and was put upon bis trial.
IL was brief tone. The chief witnes.
with reluctance, hut did speak. lie said h,
had seen Mr.. Mostyn 90 on deck just be
fore he himself had turned in; that In les'
than an hour he had been aroused by a vio
lent conclusion. Rushing on deck he hat
found the .Goshawk' on the reefs. and Lieu
tenant Mostyn asleep.
And what did Tom say! Nothing. save
that he was guilty. How 1t was that h'
had done what he had never done before
slept upon his wateh-he did not know, ioI
he had never felt more wakeful than thai
night. But sleep he did.
After this the verdict was certain. lie
was convicted of manslaughter, and Mr.
woodville instantly requested him to break
of his engagement with Katie.
Sir answered poor Tom. sadly, "yot
have forestalled my intent. l love her toe
well to permit her. even II she desired. tC
unite herself TO a man who henceforth mus
carry the prison stamp with hlm.
So their engagement was aDnulled; and
with sad hearts we all went back to Sid
combe. Captain Markleham, by Mr.. Wood
ville's invitation, accompanying US. Why
can't tell but. notwithstanding the sin
cere grief he expressed for our Sailor Tom
Katie and had loathing from this time
of that man.
Poor Katie! from my soul pitied her
for saw how matters stood before, and
was not taken by surprise when learned
that Captain. Markleham had proposed fer
her, and was accepted by Lawyer Wood
vile.
shall hot enter into unhappy katie's re-
sistance, nor how. under "A threat of expul-
sion from her fathers house. she at last.
hppariently, yielded apparently, for the
poor child, sobbiug in NV arms. exclaimed :
II viii! not marry him-I nerer will.
never will forget dear. dear Tom | dare
not resist papa new; but | will, even at the
altar. | will then throw myself on the
ciergyman's protection. will not marry
Captain Markleham
Katie was rather OF 4 nervous, gentle ma
ture; but the way she spoke those words
made me know she fully intended them.
Well, few months passed and the we'd
ding day arrived. | had not the courage TO
tell Tom. and he was saved the pain. Katie
had implored me TO be present, so con-
sentrd 10 meet Them at the church.
As the ceremony proceeded. | could
plainly see Katie nerviug herself for the
part She had 10 play.
VIII she do it?' was asking myself,
when my attention was attracted by a
heavy tread advancing along the aisle.
Looking. perceived 1t was a short. pow
erfully built man. dressed as q common sal
lor.
Paying no heed to anyone. lie approach
ed close TO the altar, where, in n loud voice,
he cried:
4 forbid this marriage. say ii ain't to
bet mustn't"
All eyes rested on him. Mine turned to
the bridegroom.
lie was clntching the altar-rails, and was
a pale a death.
For what reasonl 2 detnande the clergy
man. surprised.
Because this here pretty young lady
amt likely TO want Ia marry murderer,
who. without bit OF remor>e. sent twenty
souls TO Davy Jones locker. and that's just
what you did, Skipper Markleham.'
Fellow broke IN the captain, are you
mad? DO you dare
II dare TO say this interrupted the Old
sailor. boldly, that Lieutenant Nostyn is
innocent, and that YOU are guilty, All !,
you thought you warn't seen when you
poured the drug into our first mates grog,
which you gave him tn drink, while he was
busy with the chart in your cabin. But
saw you; heard you, too, come on deck
with him. and give false bearings as 10
them reefs and | watched you through the
skylight when you say you turned In. but
where you sat waiting for the ship To
strike
1T is falser roared the captain, ghastly
white.
It's true; and more, | saw you, as you
make blow at our mate from behind with
n marlin spike; but caught your arm, and
said:
Hang you haven't yer done enough evil
already tonight, you cowardly viliainy
Them words were nearly by deaih-war-
rant, for you freed yourself, and instead OF
him, you stunned me to the deck. You left
me ier dead Heaven took compassion on
the poor lad now in the prison where you
should be. | came TO, and fioateI on spar
I'LL | WAS picked up by u Chimney ship. As
soon a. | could reach England did, and
CAV my Information where / could get jus
tice. Now | ask, mlss'-aud the old fellow
addressed katie-'are you going to give
your pretty hand 10 such numbering,
cowardly hound as that, who's done all this
to get you and your fathers money: Tor
he's as poor as q chui ch mouse. beggin this
here ediiice's pardn.'
It's false! repeated the skipper. with
trembling lips. Mr.. Woodville, I'll start
at once for London, and soon put this to
rights
Yes, Captain, you shall. an in our So
cisty," said a voice.
Two men-police oillcers-had, unper-
ceived, come up the side aisle, and now
they arrested and handcuffed Captain Mar
kleham.
OF course, there was no wedding. With
hopeful hearts, we all went up to London,
too, where soon dear Tom, released Joined
US, for all the old sailor had said was true.
Captain Markleham had hoped to get him
disgraced that he himself might wed the
heiress, Katie. IT, -, h wever, trust that
he did not mean " sacrifice life. Still, the
jury refused leniency, and his punishment
was severe.
Katie and Tom were soon after married
and through Lawyer wOodville-whO was
very penitent-the big white house again
holds the Mostyns, who once again promise
to be the wealthiest Is well as the oldest of
SidcOmbe families.