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

aloud-"Howlong has she been engaged,
doctor3"
"Only since you have been on your
voyage home, dear boy, or she would
have written to tell you. You will have
to wish her Joy"
"I do, and but this was under his
breath-''htna. He has robbed me of
her."
It was 80. John Westmacott had
come back to marry May, the companion
of his childhood, the love of his youth.
In those days he had termed her his
little wife; laughingly she had accepted
the title. In nothing had he been more
serious. During his absence, all while
fighting for that fortune he had realized,
amid care and trouble, one idea had up
held him-the returning to England aud
marrying May Westleigh. He had never
doubted that she knew of and recipro-
Gated his affection. he had come back
to find his happiness scattered to the
winds.
How he went through the evening
which ensued he never knew. How he
80 calmly kissed the cheek May, in all
her innocence, presented to {" her
brother;" how quietly he listened to the
the story of the holly bough, and how
he took Thomas Mildmay's hand, was
mystery he never knew. All seemed the
act of another person, not himself. He
and his secret somehow stood apart.
Only when he found bimself unexpected
ly alone with May, just before leaving,
did he lose self-control. Flinging out his
hands toward her, he cried, bitterly:
May, why have you thus deceived
me You knew loved you. Why did
you not warn me of this Why allow
me to ioe SO cruelty disappointed9 Why,
of all men, did you select Thomas Mild
may, who knew my secret? He is a
crafty coward to have won you from me;
but, by Heaven, he shall rue his treach-
cry"
"Jack !" exclaimed the girl, pale aud
alarmed, ''what do you mean 2"
"That love you, May-have loved
you, must love you to my dying hour."
Before she OWNED his intention, he
had taken her in his arms, pressing
kiss on her forehead, then he had gone,
and the girl, full of grief, dropped
weeping on a chair. A voice reused
her. Looking up she behcld Thomas
Mildmay by her side. His face was
white, his brows contracted, and his lips
compressed.
"May," he asked, hoarsely, " L have
hard every word. 1 was yonder, point
irg D the conservatory. "What is all
thist What does he mean by your de-
ceiving him2"
"Tom, l know no more than you un-
less he has taken childish joke in seri-
BUSINESS. Papa shall put him right.
"No. He has called me coward, and
accused me of worse. The task must be
mine, and the explanation and apology
alike must be made tonight
He moved away. She tried to stay
him, but for once he was deaf to her
voice The outer door banged, and,
5tridirg over the snow, Thomas Mild
may followed John Westmacott, who,
with q persi, tency for which his cid
! bed at the rectory, had started for the
village.
The snow had ceased, but @ tempest
OF wind had arisen the leahess trees
streamed like wands before it, and the
waves were heard breaking i'll bursts
| like thunder upon the shore not mile
di-t9nt. The sky was leaden and drear,
ouly the earth WAS white. A mountain
! stream, which, when the rains or snow
came elled into the dimensions of a
river, intersected the road leading from
the rcctory to the village, and on this
| night it rushed and eddied in whirling
| foam between its banks aud the sea.
| Spanning its food was a rustic bridge,
about which grew few frs and larches
1t was here that Thomas Mildmay over
took John Westmacott. What passed
between them we ueed not infinitely re-
count. 1t was accusation and refutation
at first, speedily followed 10y angry words,
blended with threats; then there was a
blow, a sharp, short struggle, and one
man quilted the spot, while the othe +
lay Oh the rivers bank, his face on the
snow, motionless and still, aud by his
side spray OF tn, holly branch May
Westleigh that morning had gathered.
Not proven. That was the verdict.
John Westmacott, there was a good
reason to believe, had been murdered,
and by Thomas Mildmay. The two
I youug men had quilted the rectory al
most together, each bound for the vii
lage. Only one, however, Thomas Mild
way, had arrived at the inn, his clothes
in disorder, his manner agitated, his
shirt front blood stained. The next
morning, john Westmacott was missing.
Search was made, and not only indica-
tions of fierce struggle were discovered
on the left bank OF river, but also the
impress OF mans body in the snow,
and sprig of holly, gold seal and
cane, all of which were John Westma-
colts property. But the body of John
| We,tmacott was missing. On being ar
rested, Thomas Mildmay confessed that
| he and John Westmacott had fought, by
the bridge, upon what matters he re-
| fused to state. But he declared that the
impress on the snow was his own, that
| he had been struck down insensible by
his opponent; that, on recovering, he
had found himself alone, and had, fear
ing to alarm the inmates of the rectory,
gone on to the inn.
Some believed the story. May did
from her heart. Nevertheless, circum,
stantial evidence was against him. Or
such night the body of man thrown
into the river would have been whirled
down to and lost in the ocean like 6
whisp of straw. Still, as no body could
b. found, and direct proof of murder
was wanting. the Scotch jury brought
in: "Not proven" and with the brand
of Cain on his forehead, which only the
appearance of John Westmacott could
remove, the accused was released, con
demned mutely, if not openly, by the
public voice.
Then what do you think has be
come of him ?" asked the rector, sadly