Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-03-20
CHAPTER X.
wr1comR TO TuE sILvER IsLB.

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inhabitants of the Silver Isle whom he had
chosen to hear the story of Margaret, sis
the account | received from Margaret's
hps of her trials and sufferings. As
have told you, l wrote it down at her
dictation in after times, with but little
alteration, so that some record should be
kept of what struck me as very pitiful
and pathetic story. As listened to her
that night in the forest my sympathy for
her was very great. Every word she
uttered bore the impress of truth, and only
thoroughly good woman could have
expressed such unselfish love and devo-
ton as she expressed for Clarice. Many
times in the course of the narration did she
stop and listen, thinking she heard the
step or the voice of her master, but he did
not make his appearance, and she finished
her story without interruption. If had
not already gathered from her description
of her master that he was in heart and
soul an irreclaimable scoundrel, | should
have known it from the fact of his leaving
young girl like Margaret alone and
unprotected in such lonely spot it was
the act of one without feeling or humanity.
But 1 had formed my idea of this man
long before Margaret had finished, and my
experience of human nature enabled me to
arrive nearer to the truth with respect to
his dealing with Clarice than Margaret
could or dared suspect. With true pity
for the forlorn and desolate girl, | made
up my mind to rescue her from her peril
GUS and wretched position. l asked if,
when her master left her, he had promised
soon to return, but she could give no infor-
nation beyond that he said he was going
into the town to endeavor to get food or
money. Upon that l pointed out to her
that it was not likely he would return be-
fore morning, and that the best thing she
could do would be to accompany me to the
inn and accept of my protection. At first
l could not persuade her she feared i'll
treatment in case her master returned and
did not find her. pledged her my word
that she should not be i'll treated, and said
that my son and would protect her.
al know more of the law than you do,
said, and am convinced that can re-
lease you from the tyranny of this villain.
That it is your best course to leave him
am satisied-as satisfied as l am that, if
you remain with him till death sewers the
connection, you will never hear one true
word from his lips concerning your sister,
"Her tears flowed at this bitter but
necessary assurance, and l stood by her
side in silence while she debated within
herself Suddenly she turned her eyes full
upon my face and said,
"' Why do you urge me to this :! You
have never seen me before. What motive
have you for wishing me to leave my
master
Margaret is woman with a straight
mind, friends, as you will discover for
yourselves if we remain with you. l was
pleased at this rough frankness.
"'My child said to her in reply, 4
have sincere pity for you; you have
stirred my heart. That in itself would be
sufficient motive, but have more sell
fish one. My son and 1, leading just such
wandering life as you have done, would
find it lightened and made happier if we
had woman with us. 1 can see many
pleasant pictures in the companionship. l
will be father to you, my son shall be
your brother. 1t is certain you will re-
ceive from us affection and fair treatment.
You will not be slave you will be free
to go if you find our company distasteful
to you We travel into parts of the coun-
try where it is more likely you will learn
something of your sister, if there is any
thing to learn, than you can possibly do in
your present circumstances. For the rest,
if you cannot read sincerity in my face, l
am powerless to convince you of my
honesty of purpose.
"'She placed her hand in mine, and
saying she would trust me, accompanied
me to the inn, where made arrangements
for her repose. / was up early in the
morning, in the confident expectation of
seeing Margarets master. Surely enough,
he accosted me the moment put my face
outside the inn door.
you brought girl called Margaret
here last night, he said.
"'I did, l replied. Il brought her
from the forest, where you had left her
without food or protection. You cannot
justify yourself.
al am not called upon to do SO by
you, he retorted. L did not leave her
alone for longer than quarter of an hour.
"' An untruth,' said but that is not
to the point. intend to take Margaret
from your charge. You are not fit to have
the care of young girl, and this one shall
no longer remain with you
81 spoke boldly, knowing that it was
the only way with such man as he.
"'How do you propose to deprive me
of my property he asked, with covert
look at me, measuring my power as it
WERE
by purchase, I said and if that is
not to your liking, by means which will not
only not put money in your pocket, but
may place you in the clutches of the law.
/ see | am making an impression upon you.
You do not seem to be in hourishing cir
this girl? Not, mark you, that acknowl-
edge your right to her. can prove the
contrary, or lawyer can do it for me but
I am willing to settle the matter amicably.