The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-10
Tracked 10 His Death.

Fair Haven was peaceful little fish
inc 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 20 poor but that it
can afford at 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 -fsted, 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 had come among
them some three years before, and
brought with him a sweet young girl as
his wife. The latter, under his 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 prophesy-
ing thai he was looking around for an
other 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 possible
clew was a small gold locket, with the
initials IN. 81
She had been adopted by the child
less wife of a sturdy fisherman named
Tom Sheppard. She had named the in
FAINT Nancy, and so it remained.
The infant had now grown into fine
ly developed, mad-cap girl of eighteen.
There was not young fisherman in 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-makin2s that transpired,
and he successfully defeated all projects
to '.eut him out" of her favor.
1t was on pleasant July morning that
) she and her lover were engaged in raking
! up sea weed for the cottage garden in
which she lived. While talking over
their prospects, they were suddenly in
; terrupted by the sound Of an approach
ing horseman.
: The next moment Richard Devine
: reined up his horse close by the girls
side.
"Good morning, Nancy" he exclaimed
/ chuckling 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 upraised as if to strike him
u for his presumption.
!. In an instant, though, she had re.
$ gained self-control.
j., If she angered the man, her lovel
0 would be prosecuted for revenge. Con
S trolling herself as well as she could
she replied:
+ 81 did not know that my movements
'f were of any consequence to DIR. Devine.' '
f "Ha! ha! you're sly puss," chuck
l. led the man. "Weli, I'll tell you some
;. thing so there will be no chance of you
d making such mistake again. I'm com
ing down to Widow Sheppard's to-night
i on purpose to see you. So remember
k and stay at home"
e "You may save yourself the trouble
: them" replied the girl with spirit. "Mr
l. Devine can have no business with me Of
r any consequence. and my way is free te
e go as please"
o "EIa you're spirited LASS" rejoinet
l. the man, with scrowl. 'Well, it's al
T the better, so long as you don't fly into
/ a temper with me-"
n n AS he spoke, he again attempted tt
p lay his hand familliarly on her shoul
e der.
% Hands off Of her, you hound" J" ex
r claimed Joe Crawford, every nerve in hi
n body tingling to avenge the insult
a a Hands off, l say, or III break every
1t bone in your body!'
Is The horseman's face grew black will
rage, and he raised his heavy riding
j. cane threateningly.
'e The blow was never delivered. Will
!; a sudden bound, Joe wrested the weapon
= from his grasp.
a Breaking it in a dozen pieces, he threw
T. T. them contemptuously in Devine's face.
"Now leave!" he shouted. 'or BY o.