Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-02-07
A Narrow Escape.

Fair Haven was peaceful little fish
ing hamlet on the rock-bound 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 but that it
can afford al least one wealthy inhabi-
tant. The magnate of Fair Haven was
Richard Devine. Powerful by reason
of his wealth, he was also universally
feared and hated. Men knew him as a
grasping, close-fisted, and avaricious
man. The women of the place hated
him because of his excessive insolence
and freedom of speech toward them.
Still, as Devine owned the greater part
Of the houses in which they lived, and
as he was quick to avenge any fancied
insult, they bore it all in silence.
OF Devine's previous history they
knew nothing. He bad come among
them some three years before, and
brought with him a sweet young girl as
his wife. The latter, under mis- harsh
and cruel treatment, had pined away
and died. The husband had not ap-
peared to greatly grieve over his loss.
1t was only six months, now, since
his wife had been laid away, and the
sharp-eyed gossips OF the place were
prophesving that he was looking around
for another wife.
The belle of the place at that time
was Nancy Sheppard. Who her parents
were nobody knew. She was the only
survivor of wreck that had been cast
upon their shores. The only thing about
her which seemed to hold a possible
clew was a small gold locket, with the
initials IN. s."
She had been adopted by the childless
wife of a sturdy fisherman named Tom
Sheppard. She had named the infant
Nancy, and so it remained.
The infant had now grown into a
finely-developed, mad-cap girl of eigh-
teen. There was not a young fisher
man in the place but would have been
happy as king to have won Nancy for
a wife.
Her choice, however, seemed to be
made. Joe Crawford was her escort at
all the merry makings that transpired,
and he successfully defeated all projects
TO ''cut him OUT of her favor.
1t was on a pleasant July morning
that she and her lover were engaged in
raking up sea-weed for the cottage gar
den in which she lived. While talking
over their prospects, they were suddenly
interrupted by the sound of an ap-
preaching horseman-
The next moment Richard Devine
refined up his horse close by the girls
side.
Good morning, Nancy" he ex-
claimed, chueking her under the chin
with coarse familiarity. ''Seems to me
you've been particularly careful in
keeping out of my sight lately
The girls black eyes flashed fire, and
her hand was raised as if to strike him
for his presumption.
In an instant, though, she had re-
gained self-cOntrol.
If she angered the man, her lover
would be persecuted for revenge. Con-
trolling herself as well as she could, she
replied:
81 did not know that my movements
were of any consequence to Mr.. De-
vine"
"Ha. ha, you're sly puss," chuck
led the man. "Well, I'll tellyou some
thing so there will be no chance of your
making such mistake again. I'm COM
ing down to Widow Sheppard's to-
night on purpose to see you. So re-
member and stay AT hOme."
"You may save yourself the trouble,
then," replied the girl with spirit. "Mr.
Devine can have no business with me of
any consequence, and my way is free
TO 20 as please"
"Ha! you're aspirited lass, rejoined
the man, with a scowl. ''Well, it's all
the better, so long as you don't ny into
temper with me-"
As he spoke, he again attempted to
lay his hand familiarity on her shOul-
der.
Hands off her. you hOund!" ex-
claimed Joe Crawford, every nerve in
uis body tingling to avenge the insHlt.