Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-03-27


10 End. Sloach and net frequently
20 compare notes, and our interviews
were generally at night. He always
came 10 me upon the quarter deck, and
as sli-luek would have Il. he was OBJ
served by Ross trespassing upon the
quarger forbidden TO the occupants cl
ihe steerage.
The extent Of my perplexity can be
imagined when, while. waiting anxious
" TO have an interview with ny part
ncr for the purpose Of idevisings method
to peep az Ross's toe. Ross came up 60
me in confidential way, and whisper
ed that ne was keeping close watch
on that thievish looking fellow. (de-
scribing ny partnerl that his scarf pin
hMA been NIolen, and lAak Ee waa sus-
picious that Il bad been tsken by SIouch.
| managed. with some difficulty and
risk, TO whisper few words to my part
ner shortly after, requesting him TO keep
away from me until the next day.
Meanwhile set my wits 20 work 10
get q look at Ross foot. We were
then sailing in a low latitude. The
nights were sultry and warm, and all
the windows and doors that decency
would allow open during the sleeping
hours were Left so. Ross's apartment
being near mine, arose late in the
night, and taking lamp | held il con-
cealed beneath my hat, and stole noise
lessly within his chamber. Nothing
but a sheet covered hIm, and gently
raised its corner, and thus exposing his
foot. set the rays Of nv lamp upon it.
A pretty large spot as black as ink dis
figured one Of bis toes. His deep and
measured respiration emboldened me
to remain longer, and ] gave look at
his face in a state Of repose. The con-
viction again, and with more force, pre-
sented itself that had known him be-
fore. returned to my berth Puzzling
my brain to replace him in my recollec-
tions, but without success.
Having proceeded this far contrived
on the following morning to see my
partner, when / laid the whole matter
before him. had no doubt Of his ap-
proval Of strategem to implicate Ross;
but he surprised and mortified me by
shaking his head in dubious way. My
nitrate Of silver test evidently went for
nothing with him. The physiOgnomy
Of Ross had already been submitted to
his wonderfully scrutinizing examina-
ton, and his judgment had pronounced
him innocent Of the crime. ! argued
and endeavored to reason with him npon
the suspicious. manner Of Ross when |
had mentioned the remedy for his corns,
and his inexplicable concealment Of the
chemical which there could be no doubt
he carried with him; TO all Of which
SLOUGH scarcely deigned reply.
While was urging him to carry The
matter further, he interrupted me with
the following question
How would you like 10 make love 10
the gal with the pearl bracelet!"
replied that was halt in love with
the lady already, and that il would be q
pleasant undertaking, expressing, how
ever, some doubt of my success.
"lsn't she pretty :" said ].
SLOUGH shrugged his shoulders, gave
me a SLY wink and burst into laugh.
MAKE love TO her," said he.
"For what p sand I. becomig ] little
uneasy.
Business" answered my partner.
Explain YOURSELF" said /.
"Well," said Slouch, "you must make
up TO that gal in a sort Of loving serious
way, and we'll both see little fun"
was about 20 call for further ex-
PLANTATION from my partner, when
chanced 10 observe Ross watching Us
from a distance. left SLOUGH at once,
and went sauntering in careless way.
felt a good deal annoyed by this IN
terview with my partner. He had
treated my strategem with Indifference
and had regarded my affinity for lady
with levity. The idea OF my being re-
quested 10 make love TO her as a cool
business Transaction, with predestined
result Of Witnessing fun Slouch was
something of a wag, but | knew from
the manner Of his request that he ex-
pected some results more than amuse-
ment. had now an additional incen-
tive to make myself agreeable to the
to bear that success might follow.
began paying her marked attention
and intruded on her society whenever
| could find her apart. She treated me
at first with suspicious reserve, but
perseyered because she was really at
tractiye, because her indifference in Z
measure wounded my vanity, and foI
the less important reason that IT was
furthering some scheme OF my partner
to bring to justice the criminal or Grim
inals upon whose hunt we had started
NV efforts were not wasted; ! could
discover after awhile that the woman
was really becoming fond Of me. HeI
manner toward ne became serious, and
she began TO welcome my attentions
with undisguised delight.
Ny intimacy with her, however cooled
my alteration. / perceived in her Z
cruel, selfish nature, imPulsive, sensu'
al, with only a shadow oi a conscience
A mere voluptuous figure dressed uI
with art and superficial graces. ! sOor
became cloyed with her company anc
would gladly have retreated had not the
business consideration induced me L
follow up the affair, which | did, ! mus
confess, in such an ardent and heartlesi
manner that she actually declared he
preference for me above all the met
/ that she had met.
AT this stage / becsme uneasy will
nv position, for hardened as had be
come by coniac, with crime, ] do no