The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1880-12-11

place very suddenly and mysteriously
when she was only eighteen, and she
had never heard from him since.
The summer that he went away he
had never been more devoted. Emily
saw him every day. He talked of Civ
ing up his sailor life because he could
not bear to leave her, he said, and was
looking for q situation in some mercan-
tile house in the city. Then all Of .
sudden he disappeared without one word
Of good.by. He left no message behind
him. He wrote no letter Of explanation.
His grandfather, with whom he had a.
ways lived, for his father and mother
died in his infancy, merely said that he
had gone on another foreign voyage. In
less than year afterward the old man
died. There were none Of the Ashtons
left in Bloomville, and people ceased to
talk Of Joe. For two or three years his
name was scarcely mentioned. Then
there came rumor that be was with
his uncle, . rich old bachelor in the
West Indies. Some sailor from the
port had seen and talked with him
there, but still Emily heard no sound.
She had up to this time believed him
dead. Other lovers sought her favor,
but all in vain. She should never mar
~, she said. She preferred to remain
AZ she was. She was too busy to in
dulgo in any vain regrets. for great mis-.
fortunes had come to the family, and
she was obliged to teach school to keep
> her mother, Aunt Debby and herself
from actual want. In the first place
the bank at the Port," where all their
possessions with the exception OF the
5 rocky little farm upon which they
q lived, were placed, failed: Then
the crops failed entirely one
p wear. the best cows sickened
4 and died, and, in the midst Of 1t all,
Mrs. Rollins fell i'll Of fever which
e lasted two or three weary months. Inc
}. farm wa. mortgaged in order to pay thu
- Doctors bill. and since that time every
thing seemed to 60 wrong. l,
1t Bless me-" said Miss Debby, sud
., denly rushing into the room, "two mel
ore s.comin' through the gate bringin
n somethin' that looks like another man
r. ez like as not somebody's got hurt.
And she flew to open the outside door
ty "Man hurt, got run away with, Deb
r. by. m you'll hev to take him in, seein
this is the nearest house," said MI
H. Harding, ono Of The neighbors, who
in With his con, . stout lad Of eighteen: Wa
:, carefully bearing . limp and seemineg'
lifeless body.
ID. "Good erashus! he's dead, l kin Sc
~, nv the looks Of his face that he's
corpse," exclaimed Miss Debby, VIII
asst Emily hastily led the way to the ee
dc bedroom.
"Lor'. no, he's out Of his hea'
1" though, and dangerous, I'm afeard. II
kill the stranger that came to the hotel t
IT,. the corner day before yesterday. !
"'s brought q wild horse with him from u
de city," said Mr.. Harding. "Iom, y
ck. stay here with the WINNER: folks: IN
might git scarf, you know, !" turning
'wn bis son, "while III drive after the Dt
chit tor o. fast as can" .,
Emily regarded the man with j,
'Die strange. haIf-rOmantic interest. 'v
Il. features, though bronzed to such an :
tent that she believed him to be Of
gG. dark.colored race, were singu!arly maj
'' some. lie was, apparently, about TIM
ara vears old. A dark, curling be:
10. adorned his chin and hali concealed
,ol. rather obstinate, determined mouth.
inc quantity of loose, dark hair iel! owe
broad brow, which was nodded aite
- I different pattern from those OF Inc 81,
ter unambitious young farmers and ~,
Tho sailors whom Emily was accustomed
, IN see. His ewes were tightly closed,
-; ;et.h,ack )ashes sweeping his bro
70. cheek. Upon one Of his long aristocr
ner. looking fingers g'istened 6rll! !I
INV mond In an odd setting. Emily,
sict. was as full of romance - very yo
Inst GIRL. and who had been reading LAS -,
ross. wetry. thought that he looked hk'
ito, Eastern king. A terrible bruise rev
''i ~ Cd itseN on the left temple, and b'
placed on the back Of his head, ne :
n &C. ell it quickly with moan OF intense
~ 1t -, "He don't b'long nowheres ro
orov. here. but, somehow, he looks ar,
) ' snv familiar, don't you think 80, Em'
don't said Aunt Debby.
CONT IL fancied that there was when !
e ~". glanced at him." replied Emily, 20
ElIaoe course it was only fancy: 1t IS e''
!. o.. that he il a gentleman" -.
! tnrn eyes, some great gentleman.
49, " timid. little Mn. Rollins, regarding
nv A.. diamond ring with sort OF awe. =.
~ ~" "o Miss Debby hurried to make II
o. m,n M tho hearth. while Emily proceed
q tall, battle the STRANGER ~, ne ssam"1 - 3 3
6re him for . time, for he became Inn
s"n;re ately quiet, then he commenced to
cnv. ter incoherent words, and to
":Ioe startled ordinations.
.ut;fnl "No, no, she won't see me! she
= Anu speak to me! It is too late" ne
,erkins hooking Emily full In the lace WI
wild, burning eyes. :.
\. o;+v The Doctor came busting IN, Ok
Mrs. his huge medicine chest.
.;.ter,. ~ don't think you can DO any
! Istter Doctor, the mans in . dretfo!
ii ma. Completed like furriner, ant
said rant Nebby.
+. little "What 10 itp Got his head 0r
inquired the Doctor.
! great +" No mater, n ws ~. ! gr,ot :,
Potter It yea - owek 'n.o s ~ S *.
y, they sa'd the Pas'en'' .e sssa,oe,c I'd =
traordi- fixedly. Ihen M co"'"e"''"
o very ana mu!'er am. ...- -h.4
sy'rs . shout Setns... ONE S.,s.s "isIss =. .
% won't whispered sllss DeoCy. ~. H.,
}. What nee oors'a:s ~. . . III. N ' Ssv \