The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-12-21

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"Now, although all this was known tc
Rose, yet it affected her very little she
was true woman, and would only follow
the dictates Of her own heart; and who
shall govern the caprices of the god Of
love? Soon after leaving Calcutta, it was
noticed that Lieut.. Stevenson was Otter
seen in her company. Whether it wa;
his handsome appearance, his bold, frank
bearing, or his general intelligence and
affability that first attracted her, know
not, but certain it is their friendship
quickly ripened into mutual love. Ere
the Cape was reached they had confessed
to each other and the father was made ac-
quainted with their feelings and wishes
| But alas did the course of true love ever
run smooth? AS before mentioned, the
General had his own idea with regard to
Rose, and so he sternly refused his sanction
to her engagement with Stevenson"
~ come now to the dreadful circum-
stances mentioned in the opening of my
story. There had been a good deal of
merriment in the large saloon the night
before; but because of his anomalous po-
sition with regard to Rose, Stevenson took
very little part in it and retired early.
The General, too, not feeling very well,
had passed into his cabin somewhat before
his usual time; and soon after II o'clock
entire silence reigned throug ghout all
of the after-cabins. So things remained
until about 5 o'clock in the morning,
when all we're aroused by loud cries for
help, proceeding from the Generals room.
Hurriedly throwing en- few clothes, sew
eral of the passengers fastened to the cab
in indicated, and what sight met their
Mortified eyes Supported in the arms Of
Lieutenant Stevenson lay the General, his
head bathed in blood. His closed eyes
and pallid lips seemed to betoken death,
except that his labored breathing and deep
groans showed that he still lived. In an
other part of the cabin lay the body of the
Generals servant, and examination showed
that he was quite dead. Being very old,
he had been unable to withstand the heavy
blows dealt him. The ships doctor, Capt.
Bowlby, Col. Morton and many others were
now collected in the cabin; and after the
doctor had taken the wounded man in
hand, the question was anxiously asked
how did it occur? As Stevenson was the
one who had given the alarm, all looked
to him for an explanation; but what he
had to tell was summed up in very few
words. He said he had been restless all
the night, and had got up early to see the
beauties of tropical sunrise; that passing
the Generals door he heard groans; that
he had knocked to see if he could be Of
any service; but receiving no reply, he
had entered, and found things in the state
they saw them"
"There were many. who shook their
heads at this tale, as it was well known
the General hadn't an enemy on the ship,
unless it might be the lieutenant himself,
and most knew that the two were not on
very good terms. Some one suggested
suicide, but the doctor showed that the
wound on the head had been caused by a
blunt instrument and was in such posi-
ton that it could not have been selfinfic-
ted. And now suspicion grew stronger
that Stevenson knew more than he had
told. Men asked themselves: "who would
be the gamer by the old mans death?'
Stevenson, of course; as the only obstacle
to his marriage with Rose would then be
removed, especially as diligent search
failed to discover the box asserted by Col
onel Morton to contain the will. So things
remained for several days"
"Stevenson could not but notice the
half-averted glances of his fellow-passen.
gers, yet he treated the idea of being real
ly suspected as preposterous. Rose was
for the most part closely engaged at the
bedside of her father, who still hovered
between life and death. He was for a
great portion of his time quite unconscious;
/ still there were intervals when he seemed
to be aware of all that was passing. This
being the case, it was arranged that he
should be asked, in the presence of the
principal passengers, to name his assail-
ant. At the time appointed by the doctor
as being likely one to find the General
fit to receive them, the cabin was filed by
Capt. Bowlby, Col. Morton and many 9TH
ers, among them being Lieut.. Stevenson.
1t was scene, solemn as striking, in that
dimly lighted cabin. The patient, with
his bandaged head, and his face scarcely
less pale than the sheet on which he lay;
the bystanders, with anxiety and curiosity
strangely mingled in their faces, made up
a picture not easily forgotten. The time
seemed propiticus, as the General recog-
nized Rose and several others around him;
but now a difficulty occurred; the wound
in the throat was in such state that the
doctor would not allow him to speak. 1t
was therefore arranged that paper and pen
should be given him, and while one held
him up, he should be simply asked to write
the name of his assailant "And we must
be quick, gentlemen added the doctor,
'or the excitement of the scene may over
come him before you obtain what you
want" Thus urged, all being ready, Capt
Bowlby solemnly asked the patient if he
understood what was required of him. A
momentary Frightening of the eye was an
swer sufficient, and none doubted but that
the author of the crime would soon be ex-
posed. But alas the will was stronger
than the power; for when the General had
painfully traced few letters, the pen fell
from his hand, his eyelids closed, and he
passed into a state of complete uncon-
sciousness."
"And what were the letters written !?
The culprit's fate hangs upon them. Here
they are, STE. What a pity there are
only three; and yet-when the Captain
read out in a firm, clear voice STE, all
eyes involuntarily turned on Stevenson, as
though there could be no doubt that he
was the man, and that these three letters
were as good as whole name. And so
it proved; for on reference to the ships
books and passenger list, no other name
was found, either christian or surname,
beginning with Ste. Nor was that all;
for just at that moment man entered the
cabin, bringing the missing box, which he
stated had been found hidden behind Ste
yensons bed. Examination showed that
the lock was broken and the will missing.
So convinced was Capt. Bowlby by this
evidence that he exclaimed in stern tones:
"Lieut. Stevenson, retire to your cabin
and consider yourself under arrest for the