The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-03-28


5 man gloomily. What becomes of me
there is of small consequence
'sSave to me, dear Tom" said May
| moving near to him, and lifting her brave
eyes to his. eff you 60, it shall not be
alone. l do not think you guilty. l be-
: lieve all you have said. have promised
to be your.wife, and | will be so now as
} ever, dear"
: For some moments his emotion was too
great for words. 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 a name Swallowed by such a
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 on the
rectory were aroused by the deep, mel
ancholy boom of the minute gun. 1t
was sound unfortunately too often
heard on that wild, rugged north coast;
but its frequency did not deter the in
habitants from quitting their beds, anx-
ious to render aid.
The rector was ever among the first to
encourage the rescuers. On this night,
despite his persuasions. for she had
grown very delicate, May, her plaid
wrapped around her, accompanied him.
The beach, crowded with men, present
ell an animated scene. Beyond tossed
the stormy sea, as black rs the sky
above, except when the white crests Of
the waves flashed out, before they broke
with deafening crash upon the shore.
Among those waves, gored by the hid
den reefs, was the Inflated ship, rolling
as in mortal agony, while clinging to the
shrouds and rigging were tiny specks,
known to be men, whose numbers, after
each sweeping wave, were mournfully
| lessened.
With difficulty the life boat was
launched and manned by brAve.hearted
volunteers, and pulled on its mission of
rescue.
Twice successfully it made the jour
ney, but the third time, caught by a side
wave, it and its freight were hurled pell-
mel upon the beach.
"The boat is done for" said the rec
tor, regarding it, "but praise Heaven,
not before all are saved"
"No, no! o, papa, in mercy look"
cried May, catching his arm. "rhere is
vet one on board who has been left be-
hind. q
Her words attracted every eye on the
beach, and there, holding to the shrouds,
was visible the figure of man. The
next instant he had plunged into the
boiling sea.
"He would swim it. 1t is impossible,
CALCULATED the doctor. "The boat is
useless. We have no means to help him,
unless any here would risk their 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 at
tempt as pure madness.
! Suddenly in their midst stood a man
already Invested of his coat.
'.Fasten the rope around me" he said,
quietly. 81 am strong swimmer, and
perhaps can do it,"
At the sound of his voice, May sprang
forward with a cry.
''Tom-Tom Mildmay?" she ex-
claimed. ooh, no, no-not You.H
He smiled encouragingly upon her,
watched for the resting wave, and the
next instant was battling his way
through the pillows. In that storm sea,
to follow his course was impossible.
They only knew his progress by the
telling out of the rope.
It was terrible suspense, to none
so much as May, who leaned, half faint
ing, yet too anxious to lose entire con
seriousness; upon her fathers arm.
A quarter of an hour, and the signal
was given to pull in. Rapidly it was
obeyed. But each haul found the
weight heavier, until it was evident that
the swimmer or swimmers were no longer
able to assist themselves.
So it proved, when by one more haul
they were landed, The two we're found
senseless, clasped in each others arms
with a grip like death.
AnxiousIy the crowd gathered round,
and a murmur of surprise burst from
many as in the preserver and preserved
they recognized Thomas Mildmay and
the supposed murdered man, John
Westmacott.
Little remains to be told. John
Westmacott, on recovering, heard with
considerable emotion who had been his
rescuer, and eagerly he explained the
mystery of his disappearance on that
eventual night.
Maddened by passion, after striking
Thomas Mildmay dowr, he set off to
walk to neighboring seaport, resolving
never to place foot in the rectOry again.
A vessel, when he arrived, was on the
point of starting for Norway place
he had long desired to visit,-and he
took passage in her, hoping by travel to
find distraction from his misery.
In Norway he had remained until a
week hack, when chance had thrown
into his hands an old newspaper contain
ing Thomas Mildmay's trial.
Shocked and overwhelmed with re-
morse, he had not lost moment in re-
turning to Scotland by the first ship that
sailed, which by a singular chain of cir
cumstances, happened to be wrecked on
the very portion of the coast he wished
to reach,
"You have saved my life, Tom" said
he, warmly pressing his friends palm,
''and l am here to prove your innocence.
Forgive the past, and, "taking Mays
hand, and himself placing it in the 9TH
er's, II pray you may be happy. If your
, guilt was not proven, your devotion is,
and fully merits the reward of May
Westleigh's love. "-English Magazine.
A visitor of mad-houses went to prei.
Vate lunatie asylum which he had pre-
viously visited, and seeing there a
MISUNDERSTANDING man, said to him
81 think have seen you before. May
1 ask your name?" "My pane p return