The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-06-09
MISCELLANY.
THE BEST REvBNGE.


We were also happy and cheerful in our
little seaside cottage when Aunt Buchan's
letter came and told us that Fred sBrastome
had "jited" my sister Agnes. We were
thunderstruck ! Agnes herself refused to
tcredit the report. They had only been engag-
ed a few months, and the arrangement was a
secret. My aunt was ignorant of the actual
engagement, but when she wrote and told us
that Brastome was engaged to Sir Somebody
Something 5 daughter, and had just Inherited
his uncle's property quite unexpectedly. 1t
was terrible blow to us all at home. Yet
there were his letters full Of affection.
Agnes bore up wonderfully, but at length
even she succumbed. We had heard nothing
from Fred very lately, and my inquiries only
elected the statement that be had gone abroad
suddenly. Even our neighbors, the Pendre-
Wits, at whose house Agnes had first met
him, were away catching, and we could not
get at the truth. wrote to his bankers and
got his address, and then wrote to him Ga
stiffish letter. for explanation, and waited.
Agnes got worse. We could not rest.
vowed vengeance against the man, and unable
to stand the suspense and loneliness, one ev-
ening, when darling Agnes's life was almost
trembling in the balance, l rushed out to dc
something, ready to encounter any danger in
search Of forgetfulness of our injury Only
few weeks since he had gone and this was
the result could scarcely credit it.
Invent out. It was a lovely night l stooc
Al
light bay, at the southern side of which tht
lighthouse rose disdainfully. A flash. cam,
full upon my face, and with it came the
thought will go out to the lighthouse.
| / descended, rapidly at first, and then more
slowly, and began to think but still wen
down, and met Bob Murray, my boatman, al
| entered shop to make a small purchase.
We ran out quickly, aud in about an hour
were close to the lighthouse. A simultaneous
roar of "Ahoy there . brought my old
friend Dobson to the gallery.
The tide was out a well-judged spring as
the boat rose to the wave, and landed safe
ly on the granite. When turned round again
Murray was already six feet from my perch.
sGood night, Bob. Come back tomorrow
tell them I'm coming soon, If they ask for me
I'm all right
"Aye, aye, sir. Good night /" Murray
ran for home with the sheet hauled we'll aft,
and lying as close to the wind as the fattened
sail would draw.
Iturned and found Dobson at my elbow
He had heard my parting words and COM
tod, t1,a,, fks,a s< kal,i1
ed me through and through.
IF you gets ashore much inside of week
I'm Dutchman, and saving your presence,
Mister Emery, you's another Come in now
the foods makin'--if you please.
We entered the lighthouse together, and as
we assembled the winding stairway Dobscn
said
ibid you bring aught with ye, sir have
ye brought any clothing, or anything ?"
"Just enough for a night" replied.
" Because, look ye here, " he said, sudden
ly changing his tone. He led me to the wind
ward side of the gallery which we just then
reached "D'ye see yonder line upon the
sea ?''
g Yes--what of ite It's a breeze coming
up-all the BETTER l {# 81
CAN the worser Last time | see that
with, this moon, and after these warnings, was
when the Ca'iilly Castle went down on yonder
reef, and only fifty were saved out o. nigh
three hundred aboard"
I confess that | felt dull sensation of
dread. That some calamity was pending, /
felt sure. shiyered, not with cold though,
and looked steadily at Dobson. Then affect
ing cheerful manner, replied
" But there's no prospect of storm yet,
and there is plenty of time for any ship to
get an offing IL the skipper can read the sky
as well as you. At any rate Pm quite safe
here" - s
" Aye, aye, for that matter, safe enough
But you see, Mr. 'Enery--well, well, it's all
right; come inside" "a
We assembled through the bedroom. There
were, three beds between the windows, a
cuckoo clock, an almanac, the stove pipe ex-
tending upwards, some clothing, and two tel
escapes, and some other nautical neoessaries
were visible at glance. The bed room was
plainly and rather scantily furnished. Some
books were on the single table, and in cup
board were some blue lights. A pair Of pis-
tolls, three cutlasses, and bayonets were also
noticed by me, and wondered why firearms
were kept there.
AS gazed around the room the cuckoo
burst open the little wooden door with ire
mendous energy, and " cuckooed = ten times
--retreating only JUSTIN time 70 escape a
blow from the door.
A sailor descended from the upper floor
He was rather assonished to see me, think,
but in moment he touched his cap, and pro
fessed himself glad to see me !" a friend Of
His mates, who was friend Of his, and well