The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-07-20

was capable of anything"
"What do you intend to do, my poor
boy
young man, gloomily. "What becomes
of me there is of small consequence"
"Save to me, dear Tom," said May,
moving to him, and lifting her brave
eyes to his. I" If you go, it shall not be
alone. do not think you guilty. 1
believe all you have said. have prom
ised to be your wife, and 1 will be so
now, dear, as ever.
For some moments his emotion was
too great for speech. Then, embracing
her tenderly, he exclaimed
"Heaven bless you for those comfort
ing words, my darling. But, no; you
shall not make this sacrifice; you shall
not bear name shadowed by such
verdict, which implies my guilt not suf
ficiently proved for the law to punish,
but equally guilty.
=
Two years had elapsed, during which
no intelligence had been heard of John
Westmacott, were he living, nor lately Of
Thomas Mildmay, when, one stormy
night, the anniversary of John Westma
colts disappearance, the inmates of the
rectory were aroused by the deep, mel
ancboly boom of the minute gun. 1t
heard on that wild, rugged north coast,
but it frequently did not deter the in
habitants quitting their beds, anxious to
render aid. The rector was even among
the first on the spot to encourage and
reward. On this night, despite his per-
suasion, for she had grown very delicate
lately, May, her plaid wrapped around
her. accompanied him.
The beach, crowded with men, pre-
sentcd an animated scene. Beyond
tossed the stormy sea, as black as the
sky above, except when the white crests
of the waves flashed ont, before they
broke with deafening roar upon the
shore. Among these waves, gored by
the hidden reefs, was the ill-tated ship,
rolling as in mortal agony, while cling
ing to the shrouds and rigging were tiny
specks, known to be men, whose num-
bers, after each sweeping wave, were
mournfully lessened
With difficulty the lifeboat was
launched, manned by brave hearted
volunteers, and pulled i'll its mission of
rescue. Twice, successfully, it made the
Journey, but the third time, caught by a
side wave, it and its freight were hurled
pell- upon the beach.
"The boat is done for" said the
rector, regarding it, but praise Heaven,
not before all are saved
"No, no Oh, papa, in mercy look I"
cried May, catching his arm. "There
is yet one on board who has been left
behind"
Her words attracted every eye to the
ship, and there, holding to the shrouds,
was visible the figure of man. The
next instant he had plunged in the boil
ing sea.
"He would swim it. It is impos
sible," calculated the rector. "The
boat is useless. We have no means to
help him, unless any here wou Id risk
their own lives to meet him with a
rope"
There was silence. The rope was
ready-the man wanting. They were
not towards, but few there could swim,
and those who were able regarded the
attempt as pure madness.
Suddenly, in their midst, stood man
already divested Of his coat.
Fasten the rope round me-" he
said, quietly. l am strong swimmer,
and perhaps can DO it,
At the sound of the voice May sprung
forward with n cry,
Tom-Tom Mildmay" sue ex-
claimed. "Oh, no, no-not you -
He smiled encouragingly upon her,
watching for the relreating wave, and
the next instant was battling his way
through the pillows. In that stormy sea
to follow his course was impossible
They only knew his progress by tho
telling ont Of the rope. 1t was period
of terrible suspense, to none so much
as to May, who leaned, half fainting
yet too anxious to lose entire conscious
ness, upon her fathers arm. A guar
ter OF an hour, and the signal was giver
to pull in. Rapidly it vas obeyed. Bu'
each haul found the weight heavier
uutii it was evident the swimmer ol
swimmers were no longer able to assis
t emselves. SO it proved ; by one more
| haul they were landed. The Two were
found speechless, clasped III each other
/ arms with a grip like death. Auxiously
the crowd gathered round, and q mur
mur of surprise burst from many, as II
the preserver and the preserved the,
recognized Thomas Mildmay and The
murdered man, John Westmacott.
Little remains to be told. John West
macott, on recovering, heard with con
siderable emotion who had been hi
rescuer, and eagerly he explained tn,
mystery of his disappearance on tina
eventful night. Maddened by passion
after striking Thomas Mildmay down
lie had set off to walk to neighborinE
seaport, resolving never to place foot il
the rectory again. A vessel, when hC
arrived, was on tho point of starting fo
Norway place he had long desired tt
visit-and he took a passage in her
hoping by travel to find distraction from
his misery. In Norway he had remainel
until week back, when chance haC
thrown into his hands an old newspaper
containing Thomas Mildmay's trial
Shocked ahd overwhelmed with remorse
he had lost not a moment in returning
to Scotland in the first ship that sailed
which, by singular chain of circum
stances, happened to be wre ecked on tn
very portion of the coast he wished t,
reach.
"You have saved my life, Tom," h
said, warmly pressing his friends palm
"and I am here to prove your innocence
Forgive the past, and"-taking May
hand, and himself placing it in tn
others l pray you may be happy, l
your guilt was not proven, your devotion
is, and fully merits the reward of swee
May Westleigh's love-"
Georoa Eliot diad at Shafiald lotaIv