The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-07-27

come to the Gray Gull Inn. WHATS youl
will ?"
The stranger tossed off his cooked hat
and long sea-cloak.
Supper, man !" he answered; 1.-The
best the house affords, and your daughter
here to serve me!''
'Ay, ay, honored sir. We're all at youl
service. You're stranger in the town,
take it ?"
True. Bring me glass OF wine l am
faint with scrambling over your Internal
rocks"
"Run, Pearl !" cried the innkeeper, ''fol
bottle of that Spanish vintage. Pardon
honored sir by what name shall | call
you?"
The stranger flung himself down upon
the settle and spread his white hands,
covered with rings, to the fire.
My name is Captain Beverly" he an
swered, briefly.
"Ah," said Goelet, ducking his gray
venture to guess"
"You may guess whatever you please,
innkeeper," replied the stranger. and
shall answer all questions in like fashion
SO you lost your leg twenty years ago by
a cable getting Il twist round it. eh man ?''
'Lord have mercy!" cried Goelet, in
amazement. chow do you know that, sir ?''
"A bird of the air whispered it to me, ;;
replied Beverly, with provoking laugh,
and at that moment Pearl entered with a
bottle of wine and long nccked glass,
which she put down demurely at the
strangers elbow. Away limped old Goe-
let to call Susannah.
"By my faith, girl" quoth he, "we've
Il live gentleman in the keeping g-room-a
lord, for all that | know. Lucky there's
a fowl in the pot. Spread the table with
old china and the best damask. He has a
foreign look like the master Of that Cadiz
ship which came here last for Bilboa
drithe"
Susannah had woman's curiosity.
While the pot was boiling she crept to
the keeping-room door, and peering COW
ertly in, saw the stranger sitting on the
settle, just in the act of pledging Pearl
Goeet in glass of Spanish wine. His
handsome head was thrown back, his
dark eyes glowed ardently as they dwelt
upon her fair tower-like face. She stood
beside him on the hearth with downcast
lashes and fingers p!uckimg bashtully at
her apron. Something in the picture gave
Susannah q sudden chill.
"Why are you SO shy, lovely child ?"
she heard him say, in a voice that was
like a caress. Have you not before met
men who called you fair?"
"Indeed, yes,' she answered; "plenty
of them"
He laughed.
Now listen to confession, Mistress
Pearl. What think you brought me to
this inn tonight? A week ago | did not
know there was such place in the uni
verse, OF such a being as yourself. But
you have lovers everywhere, and one fell
by chance in my way and raved of your
beauty 50 nightly, that determined to
see you with my own eyes; and so | came
here through such dangers as | will not
speak of now. But am wei. repaid; the
knave did not lie, for one look in such a
face, | would be well content to travel
further and fare worse"
"Ah, SIR" said Pearl, tossing her CO.
quettish head ''you must not talk like
this to me. My father says you are a gen
tleman."
MAY not speak the truth ?n he mur-
INJURED. II will tell you what am-your
devoted slave, henceforth and forever
Susannah turned and stole away.
"Ah, Andy, Andy" she muttered to
herself, "God help you! You have pin
ned your faith to vanity"
The passage was narrow and dark. AS
she groped along it toward the kitchen, Il
strong arm was cast suddenly around her,
Il warm mouth fell upon her own. and in
her ear voice whispered:
stop, stop. my darling! Why do you
run from me, my Pearl?"
An involuntary prisoner, she lay for one
breathless instant against his breast. then
she pushed him away with cry
Andy, Andy" she gasped, it is not
Pearl. 1t is I-Susannah
The embracing arm fell, swift as light
ming.
Good Heaven!" muttered Andy Hull, j.,
pushing her away from him, chow could
| make such mistake ?"
Chow, indeed ?" thought poor Susan
nah
"Confound this darkness Open the
door, that's good girl -
Susannah flung back the door of the
kitchen, and a flood of light poured into
the passage, showing the rugged, good
natured face and gawky figure of Andy
Hull, his fisherman's jacket wet with rain,
his lank hair streaming about his tanned
cheeks.
Il hope you'll forgive me ?" gasped
Susannah deadly pale, and speaking with
an effort
Forgive you?' said Andy "Bless
my soul Twas my own stupid blunder.
Where's Pearl ?"
"ln the keeplng-room. There's IL guest
with her-a gentleman, maybe a lord at
least he looks like one. must 90 spread
the cloth. Uncle Simon will berate me,
if he is not we'll entertained"
Andy, fisherman born and bred, knew
little of gentlemen or their ways He
cast one glance into the kecping-room
and retreated in hot haste at sight of the
elegant figure iounging there, with the
freight playing on his embroidered waist
coat and flashing from the gold buckles in
his shoes. Andy beckoned Pearl to come
out.
She obeyed, but with reluctance.
"Who is yon fellow ?" he whispered.
sullenly.
"a gentleman-Captan Beverly she
tilo"tleu, VIII Il Saucy pOuC. 10 ana
hide yourself with father; you are not fit
to be seen''
That is kind Well, kiss me once,
Pearl p
what! and the gentleman looking at
us through the door! Not 7"
LET him look. 1t is no matter OF his.
You are my promised wife"
"Fie! Leave me alone" she flouted !;
"go and make love to Susannah ?"
"Susannah What do you mean? Have
L done anything to vex you, Pearl? Are
you iealous??" ?"
mo. it is you who are that. Go, gor'
urged Pearl, and Andy turned and walked
glcomily away.
Supper was spread for Captain Beverly
Susannah brought in the boiled fowl
and the wine, and Pearl stood beside his
chair and served him. AS she stretched
out her hand to fill his glass, his jeweled
fingers caught her own and held them
fast.
Come, tell me-" he cried. his bright