Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-03-08
A Narrow Escape.


coast of Massachusetts. Yet even
In this quiet looking place Love and
Hatred, Pride and Jealousy were as
actively at work in mems hearts aS
in the more crowded cities.
There is no place so poor hut that
Is can afford at least one wealthy in
fahitant. The magnate OF Fair
Haven Was Richard Devine. Pow
erful by reason of his wealth, lie was
also universally feared and hated,
Nen knew him rs a graspiug, close
listed, and ayaricious man. The
women Of the place hated him be-
cause of his excessive inSnlence and
free1om of speech toward them.
Still, rs DeVine owued the greater
part of tho houses in which they liv-
cd, aud IS he WAS quick ID avenge
any fancied insult, they bore it all
in silence.
OF Devine's previous history they
knew nothing. Hehad come among
them some three years before, aud
brought with him q sweet young girl
rs his wife. The latter, uruer his
harsh and cruel treatment, had pined
away and died. Tie husband had
not appeared TO greatly grieve over
his less.
Ii was only six months, now,
since his wife had been laid away,
and the sharp-eyCd gossips of the
rlace were prophesying that he was
looking around for another wife.
The belle of the place at that time
was Nancy Sheppard. Who her pa
rents we e nobody knew. She was
the only survivor of wreck that
had been cast upon their shores.
The only thing about her which
seemed t, hold a possible clew was
small gold locket, with the initials
IN. So
She had been adopted By the child
less wife Of sturdy fisherman nam
cd Tom Sheppard. She had named
the infant Nancy, and so it remain
ed.
The infant girl had now grown
into finely developed, mad-cap girl
nj eighteen. There was not young
fisherman ia the place but would
have been happy as a king to have
won Nancy for wife.
Her choice, however, seemed to be
made. Joe Crawford was her escort
at all the merry -making5 that trans
pired, aud he successfully defeated
I'll projects to ''cut him out' of her
favor.
It was on q pleasant July morning
that she and her lover were engaged
In raking up se2-Teed for the cot
tage garden in which she lived.
While talking over their prospects,
they were suddenly interrupted bY
she sound Of an approaching horse
man.
The next moment Richard Deyine
rrined up his Nurse close by the giIl's
side.
GOOD morning, Nancy" he ex-
claimed, chncking her under the
chin with coarse familiarity. "Seems
10 me you've been particularly care
f,il in keeping out Of my sight late
~"
The girls black eyes flashed fire,
and her hand WAS raised as if to
ftrike him for his presumption.
In an instant, though, size had re-
gained self-coutrnl.
IL she angered the man, her lover
would lie prosecuted for revenge.
Controlling herself as we'll as she
could, she replied
81 did rot know that my move
raents were Of any consequence to
Mr. Devine. +"
''Ha la you're sly puss,"
ehuckled the man. swell, I'll tell
you something so there viii be no
chance of your making such mis-
tsks again. I'm coming down to
Widow Sheppard's tonight on pur-
pose to see you. SO remember and
stay at home"
"You may save yourself tho trou-
ble, then." replied the girl with spir-
it. s.Mr. Devine can have no busi-
ress with me of anJ consequence.
and my way is free to go as please"
"Ha you're spirited lass,'' re-
Joined the man, with scowl. "Well,
it's all the better, so long as you
don't Fly into temper with me-"
AS lie spoke, he again attempted
10 lay his hand familiarlY on her
shoulder.
Islands off her, you hound - ex-
claimed Joe Cra wford, every nerve
In his body tingling to ayenge the
Insult. GLANDS off, I say.or I'll
break every bone in your body -
The horseman's face grew black
n.i. h rare ard he raised hia heavy