Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-04

SET In A SILVER SEA
ROMANCE BY B. L. FARJEON.
HOLLAND"

summons. Personally, you have not asked
me single question with respect to the
eharge-not light one-which is here
brought against me"
~ came to perform duty" replied
Matthew, "not to pry into another mans
conscience.
That is well said good example for
trihers. Yet, when we take an interest in
a man, we are not generally careless OF
what affects him. You can read between
the lines, and can understand that I am
anxious for your good viii.
Matthew was silent.
Matthew Sylvester, continued the
hunchback, after pause, "years ago you
and 1 had conversation upon subject
near to your heart
Il remember; it related to my daugh-
ter, Margaret. and the sister who was torn
from her"
"Her sister Clarice."
Yes"
"There is a secret concerning that sister
which you and | share; it has been safe in
my keeping"
And in mine.
Events are taking a strange course.
Within these hundred hours have traced
in the air the writing of fate. You are
,f...,.+ - - 1900, b,,,co
st has been mine by courtesy only. It's
master has arrived, to take possession of
his own. Another house is now being
built for us.
81 know. You have never seen this
Mauvain ?"
"Never."
He is not alone. There comes with
him friend, sculptor, Harold by name,
whom also you have never seen ?:
"Not to my knowledge"
"Yet the lines of his life and of those
lives most dear to you have crossed, and
may cross again. If this latter happen, 1
shall be no passive spectator, aud what
action 1 may take will be in the interests
of those you love. There was time when
you were inclined to be friendly towards
me-"
81 am still so inclined but you have
made such desire most difficult of accom-
plishment."
cit is my way, and men must take me
as am"
81 perceive your drift, and I viii en-
deavor to satisfy You. Is the charge in
this summons true?"
s'1fo what extent ;"
THAT there lives in your house wo-
man of the Silver Isle?"
at is true. And you and Others near
to you shall Judge from evidence, not from
hearsay, how far I have stained the honor
of the isle. I make, therefore. still another
stipulation which you viii convey to those
who sent you to me. ask that you and
your children, Paul and Margaret Sylves-
ter, shall be present at the examination
which is to take place before my sell
constituted judges. You will come
% Yes, if we are allowed.
al shall insist upon it. You can then
be witnesses of my disgrace"
Matthew Sylvester related to the island
ers the particulars of his interview with
the huuchback, and all that the accused
man demanded was granted without de-
mur.
At the appointed time there were assem-
bled in the Courthouse twelve magistrates
of the Silver Isle, prepared to hear the ex-
PLANTATION Rant had given. There were
also present the three elder members of the
Sylvester family whom Rant stipulated
should be present, the man who had given
the information against the hunchbaek,
and Harold, who came straight from the
ship lying at anchor in the bay. On this
day the Court was closed to the public,
and two officers standing at the door
allowed only those to enter to whom per-
mission had been given. AS Harold en-
tered delicate perfume spread through
the hall he was exquisitely dressed and
gloved, and with purposed afectation
gave himself the air OF dandy. He was
really curious regarding the proceedings
about to take place, but the impression he
conveyed was that he had come to an enter
tainment which had been prepared for his
amusement, and that he was graciously
willing, in an idle way, to be amused.
When he entered, Margaret Sylvester
was talking to Matthew, and their backs
towards him. He bowed to the Court, and
taking the seat allotted to him, arranged
himself upon it with an easy grace. This
done, he allowed his eyes to wander from
face to face, until they rested on the face
of Margaret Sylvester. By heavens p
he thought, but it was a discovery Of go
much interest that his lips formed the I'M
spoken words, Z" the woman with the voice
OF the nightingale" AS the thought crossed
his mind, Margaret's eyes met his and were
held spell-bound. Her face grew white,
and her bosom rose and fell. Harold,
thought the sculptor, still silently address
ing himself, g the Silver Isle promises to
be prolific of sensation. There is future
before you" Matthew Sylvester, observ-
ing Margaret's agitation, stepped to the
Presidents side, and whispered few
words to him.
i" Friends said the President aloud,
with motion of his hand towards Harold,
I" this gentleman is friend of Mauvain's,
who will presently take up his residence
among us. His name is Harold
Harold rose and bowed with infinite
grace, murmuring:
Every much at your service. 1 trust
we shall be friends.
They all bent their heads, with the ex-
ception of Margaret, who, at the sound ol
his voice, closed her eyes, like one in q