Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-08-20
THE BEST REV. NGE.
CHAPTER TIE FIRST.
A TERRIBLE BLOW.


chans letter came and told NJ that
Fred Brastome had gifted" my sister
Agnes. We were thundcr-struck
Agnes herself refused to credit the re-
port. They had only been engaged n
few months, and the arrangement was
secret. My aunt was ignorant Of the
actual engagement, but when she wrote
and told M that Brastomc WINS engaged
to Sir Somebody something's daughter,
and Just inherited his unclo's property,
quite unexpectedly, il was u terrible
blow to us mt home. Yet here was his
letters full Of affection.
Agnes borne up wonderfully, but at
length even she succumbcd. We had
heard nothing from Fred very lntcly,
and my inquiries only elected the
statement that he had gone abroad and
suddenly. Even our ncighbors, the
Pcndrewtts, Mt whose house Agnes had
first met him, We're away yachting, and
we could not get ut the truth. ! wrote
10 his bankers and got his address, and
then wrote to him Ga stiilish lcttor) for
explanation, and then waited
Agnes got worse. We could not rcst
vowed vengeance against the man.
unable To stand the suspense and lone
illness when darling Agnes life was III
most trembling in tho balance, rushed
out to do something, rcndy to oncount-
or any danger IN search Of lCrgctful-
ness of our injury. Only II few weeks
since hc had gone, and this was the
result could scarcely credit it.
] went out. II was II lovely night.
- ,,,.I I..,ly oI
tho moonlit bay, Mt tho southern side
Of which the lighthouse rose disdnin-
fully. A flash came full upon my face,
and with il came the thought will
20 out to tho lighthouse,
descended rapidly Mt first and then
more slowly, and began to think; but
still went down and met Bob Murray,
my boatmnn, US | entered n shop TO
make u purchase.
"Good night, Bob. Going homc?'
AYE, aye, Master Harry, Home it
", and time !"
"Wcll, Bob, I'm going out"
"Out Tonight And whore, if may
make 40 bold as to ask ?"
''ro the lighthouse Bob and You
must tuko mo there, and call, to-mor-
rows llOOu, 10 Jake me Duck.
But, sir, my lady2 viii she T.
Bob always called my mother "my
ndy,' not that she, except NJ every wo-
man il, was entitled to the courtcsy;
but she deserved il, and the compliment
passed unnoticcd now, as ever
sicncod him, and he agreed "I'm
your man, Master Harry, but think
you'd better bide a day or two; there's
u look about the sen that dislike
wind Bob | should like breeze
out there tomorrow"
AYE, nyc Wind is nothing to the
lighthouse, It's u son. Suppose nm
accident should happen suppose Il
ship"
Suppose you give up cronking, Bob
Murray and bear hand with the
boat' wrapped VI my purchascand
went out
lie responded with ahcrity, and snid
no more, Somehow his hcit uhcdi-
cncc impressed mo more forcihly than
hiswcll-meant warning.
"All ready now your honor said
hc nj last
Thank you, Bob VIII you take
the tiller, please" | knew the coast
almost ms well rs he, and vet would
not have touched the tillcr II wns u
tribute to his superior skill and To my
mothers fears
We ran ont quickly, and in about M
hour were close To the light house. 4
simultaneous roar Of "Ahoy, there
brought my old friend Dobson 10 the
gallery.
"Boal ahoy," hc cried What
cheer ?"
"Dohson alloy Tis Mister
Emery (he always insisted upon calling
me Emery
"Novcr Woll md what brings ye
here Mt this time o night, sir"
Il want to como in Dobson, 10 STAY
the night. win you letme come up?'
There was pause, and at last he
said, rs we tossed upon the rising sen.
"1'll come down. sir-lll dis-ccnd, sir,
ifyou please,
Hc disappeared, and must have do.
seconded very rapidly, for in n moment
or two he appeared alta small door
opening Just above the rock on which
the lighthouse was erected, there he
parleycd.
"Ye, soc, sir, This is quite ont Of rcgu.
lar orders darscn't let YOU ill., not
now keep her OH, Bob Murray, ycw,
yen have her stove in three thrccs' =
50 We see, sir.
"Dobson," Ireplied firmly, cts no
use. Regulations or no regulations,
want to spend the night III the light.
house. Here | am. You eun, Of course
keep me here il you Ike, but am not
going back now
Dobson paused irresolutely and Muir.
ray said
"lts all right Jack; lll come for him
tomorrow and take him oil.
"Ahl" responded Dohson. To.mor.
row. Where be thine eyes Bob Muir.
ray, lai2'
Murray made no verbal reply. He
impeiled the boat toward the slippery
rock The tide was out, well.iudgod
spring rs the boat rose 10 the wave,
and ! landed safely Oh the granite.