Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-29
NO. 153
Gales aud Sketehes.
NOT PROVEN.
CHAPTER I.
Continued f ON yesterday.l

but Tor once he was deaf to her voice. The
outer door banged. and. strding over the
snow, Thomas Midmay followed John
Westmacott, who, with persistency for
which an old tutor could not account, re-
fused bed at the rectory, and had started
Tor the village.
The snow had ceased. but tempest of
wind had arisen the leahess trees seemed
like wands before il, and the waves were
heard breaking in bursts like thunder up-
ou the shore, not a mile distant. The skv
was clear and drear, only the earth was
white. A mountain stream, which when
the rains or SHOWS came, swelled into the
dimensions of river, ntersected the
road leading from the rectory to the viii
lage, and on this night il rushed and eddied
in whirling foam. Spanning its flood was
rustic bridge. about which grew few
frs and aches.
1t was here lnat Thomas Mildmay over
took John Westmacott. What passed be-
tween them we need not minutely re-
count. II was accusation and refutation
first, speedily followed by angry words,
blended with threats. Then there was q
blow, sharp, short struggle, and one
man quilted the spot, while the other lay
on the rivers bank with his face on the
snow. motlOnless and still,-by his side, q
spray OF holly branch May Westleight that
morning had gathered.
CHAPTER III.
"Not proven" that was the verdict.
John Westmacott, there was good rea-
son 10 believe, had been murdered,
and by Thomas Mildmay. The two
young men had quilted the rectory to-
geiher, bound for the village. Only one,
however, Thomas Mildmay, had arrived
at the inn, his manner agilated, his clothes
in disorder his shirt-tronL blood-stained.
The next morning John Westmacott was
missing.
Search was made, and not only indica-
tions OF severe struggle were discovered
on the left bank OF the river, but also the
impress OF mans body in the snow, and
sprig of holly, a gold seal, and cane,
all OF which We're John Westmacotl's
properly. But the body OF John Westma.
cott was absent.
On being arrested, Thomas Mildmay
confessed that he and john Westmacott
had fought by the bridge,-upon what
matter he refused to state. But he decar-
ed 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, fearing 10
alarm the inmates OF the rectory, had
gone TO the inn.
Some believed this story. May did from
her heart. Nevertheless, crcumstantial
evidence was against him. On such q
night the body OF u man thrown into the
river would have been whirled down to
and lost in the ocean like a whisp of
straw.
4 Sull. as no body could be found. the d.
rect proof of murder was wanting. the
Scotch jury brought 10 mot proven" and
with the brand Of Cain on his forehend,
which only the appearance OF John West
macott in life could remove, the accused
was released, condemned .mutely, if not
openly, by the public voice.
=" hen what do you think has become
of him 2" asked the rector, sadly, after
hearing Thomas Mildmay's recital of the
quarrel.
II cannot imagine. sir, unless he COM
mitted suicide" was the rejoinder. HE
was mad at the moment. His accusation.
his language showed it. He was capable
of anything"
What do you intend doing, my poor
boy Pr
Il shall 60 abroad" answered the
young man. gloomily. what becomes
of me there is of small consequence"
''Save to me, dear Tom" said May,
moving near to him, and lifting her brave
eyes TO his. ''li you go it shall not be
alone. do not think you guilty. be-
ieve all you have said. have promised
to be your wife, and will be now as ever
dear"
For some time his emotion was too
great for words. Then, embracing her
lenderly. he exclaimed:
"Heaven bless you for those comfort
ing words, my darling. Bat no; you
shall not make this sacrifice; you shall
not bear a name shadowed by such a ver-
diet, which implies my guilt, not sutfi-
ciently proved tor 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 Westmacotts
disappearance, the inmates OF the rectory
were aroused by the deep melancholy
boom of the minute-gun. 1t was sound
unfortunately too often heard on that
wild, rugged North coast; but its frequen-
cy did not deter the inhabitants from quit
ting their beds, anxious To render aid.
Inc rector was ever among the first to
encourage the reward. 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.
ed An animated scene. Beyond tossed the
stormy sea, as black as the SKY above. ex-
cept when the white crests OF the waves
flashed out, before they broke with deaf.
ening crash upon the shore. Among
tai agony, while cinging to the shrouds
and rigging were tiny specks, known to