Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-12-12

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 hsd taken the
wounded man I'm hand. the question was
anxiously asked: How did IL occur
As Stevenson was the one who had
given the alarm, ali looked 20 hTm foE
an explanation; bat what be had to tel
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 Q tropical sunrise; that pas.
sing The Generals door be heard groansi
thai he had knocked to see If be could
be &C any service; huf Eeceiving no re-
ply, he had entered, and found thing
in the state they saw them"
"There were many who shook theiI
heads ut this tale. as II was well known
the General had not an enemy in the
ship, unless 1t 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 blunt instrument. and
was in such position that it could moi
have been self-inHicted. And now sus.
picion grew stronger that Stevenson
knew more than he had told. Mer
asked themselves: who would be the
gamer by the old mans death 2 Ste
venson, Of course; as the only obstacle
to his marriage would then be removed
especially as diligent search failed Il
discover the box asserted by Col. Nor
ton TO contain the will. So things re.
mained for several days."
stevenson could not but notice the
half-averted glances of his fellow-pas-
sengerS, yet he treated the idea Of be.
ing really suspected as preposterous
Rose was for the most part closely en-
gagged at the bedside OF her father, who
still hovered between life and death
lie was for a great portion Of the time
quite unconscious; still there were in
tervals when he seemed to be aware o
all thai was passing. This being the
case, il was arranged that he should be
asked, in the presence Of the principa
passengers, 10 name his assailant. A
the time appointed by the doctor as be
ing a likely one to find the General q
to receive them, the cabin was filed BY
Capt. Bowlby, Col. Morton and many
others, among them being Lieut.. Ste
venson. II was scene, solemn a.
striking. in that dimly lighted cabin
The patient, with his bandaged head
and his face scarcely less pale than thu
sheet on which he lay; the by-standers
with anxiety and curiosity strangely
mingled in their faces, made up pic
ture not easily forgotten. The time
seemed propitious, as the General re
cognized Rose and several others arounc
him; but now a difficulty occurred; th'
wound IN the throat was in such a state
that the doctor would not allow him u
speak. II was therefore arranged tha
paper and pen should be given him, ant
while one held him up, he. should b
simply asked TO write the name Of hi
assailant. And we must be quick
gentlemen added the doctor, 'or the
excitement of the scene may overcom,
him before you obtain what you want.
Thus urged, all being ready. Capt. Bowl
by solemnly asked the patient if he un
derstood what was required Of him. A
momentary Frightening Of the eye wa
answer sufficient. and none doubted bu
that the author Of the crime would sooI
be exposed. But alas the will wa
stronger than the power: for when tn
General had painfully traced few let
tiers, the pen fell from his hand, his eye
lids closed, and he passed into stat'
of complete unconsciousness."
"And what were the letters written
The culprit's fate hangs upon them
Here they are, STE. What q pit,
there are only three; and yet-wheI
the Captain read out in q firm clea
voice STE, all eyes involuntarily turne'
on Stevenson, as though there could b,
no doubt that he was the man, and tina
these three letters were as good as
whole name. And so ii proved; for ol
reference to the ships books and pas
(cither Christian or surname) beginnin;
with Ste. Nor was that all; for Just a
this moment a man entered the cabin
bringing the missing box, which b
stated had been found hidden behin'
Stevenson's bed. Examination Shove,
that the lock was broken and the vii
missing. So convinced was Capt. Bowl
by by this evidence that he exclaimed
in saern tones: Lieut.. Stevenson, re
tire to your cabin and consider yoursel
under arrest for the remainder of tn
voyage It was done, and the ono,
gay and still noble-iooking Walter Ste
venson was led away suspected THE
and murderer.
"But did every one believe him gull
tys Not so. Need | say that that III
exception was the one whose opinion
he priced more than all the rest-name
ly, his beloved Rose. Assured of he
belief in his innocence and strong ii
his own consciousness, il mattered iii
tie to hIm what others thought: and 50
when he passed from the cabin his ey
quailed not, nor dId his tall form los
one inch Of its height.
81 must now in very few words pas
over more than . month. The goo
ship had steadily pursued her way, an
was rapidly approaching the end Of tn
voyage. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS had oc
CURED since The scene depicted above
The old General. contrary TO all expects
tions, gradually became stronger; bu
| alas as his bodily health ,mnroved 8