West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-03-21
CASPAR WADE'S REVENGE.
BY JACK RATLIN.

Inc lighthouse upon the pier head wa
of stone, and around the lantern ran Gil
cular railing, with space enough for two o
three person 20 stand. The place was oc
cupied by two, a man and woman, lookin
out upon the lake. The woman was youn,
and fair, and the man, a dark, stern lookin.
man, who had braved the winds of many
land, if we may judge anything from tn,
face.
"You should think twice befole yo,
answer me, Edna" he said. 'You ough
to know that Caspar Wade never forgets o
forgives an injury"
"You are wicked Caspar. l have tolt
you the truth, and John Dean and L hav,
loved each other since we were little chill
dren. We never thought it possible that
you, of all men, could be the rival of YOU
friend, John DEAN
"John Dean is no longer my friend, wher
he seeks to rob me of the love of the only
woman | have ever cared for. Think again
Edna. l am good friend, but bad enc
my, and something evil will come of it =
you refuse to hear me. l will make your
life SO happy that you will never regres that
you listened to me.''
She shook her head slowly, and strange
looked passed over his face as he broke into
a low laugh.
There, let us say no more. | was fool
to show you my heart for ought to have
known that younger and better-featured
man would be preferred to me. Don't say
anything to John"
81 must" replied Edna Durston. 81
have no secrets from John"
"You must have one at least, Edna" he
said, in such of tone deadly threatening
that she recoiled in dsmay. ''Beware what
you do; and never reveal to John Dean the
words | have spoken to you to-day, if you
wish him to live long and die happy"
"1ou would not harm him!'' she gasped.
81. am l such a fool as to run nv neck
into a moose for woman's sake? But
some accident might happen to him, espec-
tally if some good friend should be near to
direct it. 1t will be better for you and for
him if you keep quiet. If you give me
time | shall live this sorrow down in my
own way, and forget that have ever vast
ed the treaures of my heart upon a woman
who dispised me.
''No, no, Casper; do not say that l al
ways liked you until tonight
''Let US not speak of it, little girl" he
said, in softened tone. 81 am sorry that
spoke, and would give anything to recall
my words. Let them be as if they had new
er been spoken, and all will be WELL"
At this moment boat was seen shooting
across the harbor, pulled by young man
who was master of the oar, and sent the
light craft kissing through the water at
every stroke.
"There is John,' said Caspar. 'He does
not know that you are here, and for the
best of reasons l do not care 70 meet him
while you are by. 1 am going down at
once, and | ask you to stay here
''Before you go, Caspar Wade,' said Ed
ma, solemnly, 81 give you a sacred charge:
If John Dean does not come back safe from
this voyage, never dare to look me in the
face, for shall always believe that you
killed him.
His head dropped upon his bosom, and
he hurried down the winding stairs, just as
the boat touched the steps at the pier head.
handsome young man, was sitting at the
skulls. This was John Dean, the betrothcd
of Edna Durston.
fsI,,rrv ,,n Con ba ca;J lsyNo el,o1
lose the breeze, and it is making fair fol
the Welland."
Wade stepped into the boat and it shot
rapidly across the current to large schoon-
er which was just dropping out into the
stream.
''Take her out, jack" said the captain
81 am going below"
He hurried into the cabin, and lay face
downward on the locker, fighting out the
battle with his heart, as the "Northerr
Light swept out past the lighthouse,
where Edna stood, waving her lover a mute
farewell. Half an hour later the captain
came on deck, and found the "Northern
Light packed with canvas from the deck
to the main tuck, bowling along before g
twelve knot wind. There was look upor
the face Of Caspar Wade which was moi
There before, look of stern determination
which changed the expression of his face
completely.
"We are going to have wind, Jack,
he said. 81 don't like those nasty little
scattered clouds to the nor east.
''Nor l, Cap; thought best to get all
could out of her while the wind was fair. .
''That is right; but we had better get in
all the kites, now. The wind is freshening
all the time.''
John Dean was a good mate, and his
crew sprang to the work with a will They
were lust in time, for, as the mainsail went
I'D, close-reefed, terrible squall suddenly
burst upon them. At first the ''Northerr
Light" keeled over until her decks were
washed by the rising waves, but the man
at the wheel let her go over, and she rose
dripping from the surge, and sped away
like frightened hare.
ssLet her go before it, cried the captain
s:Hurrah for the long swell, the cracking
spars, the flying spray. l love it as tn
breath of my nostrils
ssYou are wild tonight, Cap" said Johi
Dean. "I never saw you SO before. -
sNever mind, Jack. l have lived M!
time out, and am satisfied. Curse you don
look at me in that way"