Daily Kennebec journal., 1880-06-18
NO lab
Gales ano Skettbes.
TIE QUEER SERVANT.
Continued from Yesterday }

Next morning at the breakfast table
learned from Thomas that the captain hat
gone away an hour before was called.
leaving his compliments. Though with
out any reasonable grounds for suspicious
| did have queer, mysterious di>trust ot
| the captain. and resolved to visit him at
his home. But thought would 60 first
10 the next town northward, where some
clue TO Foster might possibly be obtained.
Some few remaining Investigations in
Q@kcpt me till about five in the after
noon. when left without anything found
toward uuraveling the mystery.
Don't turn TO the right or the left, and
mind the lime pits" said the landlord.
drove of. and had not accomplished
| five miles when darkness fell upon me
such rs had never been out in before. A
gust of wind. heavy and fierce enough to
blow me out of the gig. then il raiped rs
though all the waters of the heavens hal
been let loose at once. and added to this
sheet lightning played so tiercely over MS
| that thought the horse would have gone
mad, and broken out OF the shafts alto
gether.
tried to turn him round and get back
again to the inn, but when tried that, he
swerved round in such manner rs threat
ened to upset me altogether.
While was thinking what was best to
be done. and soothing the horse by speak
ing to it, | was startled by hearing voice
calling out "Who is thercp What is the
mattcrpn
Il am a traveller overtaken by the
Storm was the reply. Help
me to turn the horse around and
I'll get back to the inn.'
That YOU will never do tonight. for
the torrent that is rushing from the hills
will carry you and the horse away. sir"
"Well, then. what is to be done, my
friend?" said.
This. sir; about mile from here
there is a house that. daresay, you could
get lodging in for the night"
"Well. that is the very thing. But how
am to get there, eh P"
.I'll lead the horse there as safely as il
it was broad daylight. if you'll trust me-"
Trust you | should think so, and pay
you well into the bargain"
"Oh, shan't 90 unrcwarded. dare
say"
I thought there was peculiar chuckle
in the mans voice as he said this, but set
it down to fancy.
"Well, then. lead on. as quickly as you
like So, no. lass" for l felt the mare
rear up rs the man took the bride.
The next moment felt myself going
forward and soon found that we had gone
out of the road aud up lane.
At last | could see the glimmer of
light the next moment we stopped; then
another light came up. held by being
with long shaggy hair and piercing eyes.
This singular being no sooner saw me
| than he uttered a cry, and the next mo-
! mcnt the lantern was dashed out Of his
hand
Now, sir, get down we are all right
said the rough voice of my guide.
did so. and the next moment door
opened. There was blaze OF light. and
a man stepped forward.
81 am happy to see You here, Mr.. Bag
shaw" said Capt. Williams.
.Ha ha"' he said, surprised to see me
no doubt; come in. or the rain will wash
you away"
And with that he seized my hand. and
dragged me into the passage, the door
was shut upon me.
The next moment I found myself in a
snug apartment. an excellent fire burning
and a very nice supper on the table.
| flanked by set of decanters, and black
bottle or two.
The room itself was simply furnished
with table. half dozen chairs, and n
sofa; upon the walls hung some colored
prints, chiefly relating to shooting, and
over the mantle piece a couple of double
barrelled guns.
The glance took at all these things
was but momentary. for the captain had
seized hold of an easy chair, and wheeled
it close to the fire.
Here, Mark" he said to the man who
had guided me up the lane, "help the
gentleman off with his top coat
| And the next moment / found the coat
| (Which. by-the-by. was completely satur-
ated with we) taken off my shoulders,
and felt gently pressed down into the
easy chair by the man who had come so
opportunely to my safety.
lie was tall, dark fellow, and bad
such cold. villainous look in his eyes as
caused shudder to run through my
veins.
"There, hang the coat up in the pas
sage. and it will dry in time for the morn
ing. when you resume your journey. That
will do. Mark; you can get your supper
Ill LUc klfDcD. anu dltSI Lldt Ddte u sudhe
down Tell the old woman to keep plen-
ty of hot water for our grog."
"Ah, I'll see to all that for you, sir !;
the old woman is dup with the rheuma-
tiz. and gone to bed. 1t was lucky was
out, for you had got ont Of your road, and
a few minutes would have seen you. horse,
traps and all at the bottom Of the lime
iquarry.''
Quick rs It was done saw significant
glance pass between Mark and the cap
tain.
"A fatal place for you, Mr.. Bagshaw
had you gone over it, nothing could-but
never mind the lime quarry, here you are
safe and sound, and so for supper. need
not say how happy am to see you.''
"Well, upon my word, captain, / am
obliged to you; any port in storm, they
say. and must own that this port is q very
snug and cosy one.'
"Glad you like it make it your own as
long as you like; but come. you must be
sharp set there's cold fowl, and some
cold sirloin, and the etceteras, for DOM
keep large larder at the retreat. .
We sat down at the table, and l mus
say, that in spite of all the suspicious o.
danger had felt, l made an excellen