The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-06-04
THE BEST REVENGE.
CHAPTER |.
A TERRIBLE BLOW.

CHAPTER |.
TERRIBLE BLOW.
We were all so happy and cheerful i'll
our little cottage when Aunt Buchan's
letter came and told us that Fred Bras
tome had Tilted " my sister Agnes. We
were thundcrstrNck. Agnes herself re-
fused Ia credit the report. They had
only been engaged few months, and the
arrangement WAS secret. My aunt was
ignorant of the acutual engagement, but
when she wrote and told us that Bras
tome WIS engaged to Sir Somebody
Something's daughter, and had Just ill.,
hcritcd his uncle's property, quite unex-
Iectcdly, il was terrible blow to Ills ut
home. Yet there We're his letters full of
affection.
Agnes bore up wonderfully, hut at
length even she succumbed. We had
heard nothing from Fred very lately,
and my inquiries only elected the state
ment that he had gone abroad suddenly.
Even our neighbors, the Pendrrwitts, ut
whose house Agnes had first met him,
were away yachting, and We could not
get nj the truth. | wrote 10 his bankers
and got his address, and then wrote To
him "a stiffish letter. for explanation,
and then waited.
Agnes got worse. We could not rest.
| vowed vengeance against the man, and
unable TO stand the suspense and loneli-
ness when darling Agnes life was almost
trembling i'll the balance, | rushed out to
do something, ready Ia encounter any
danger in search Of forgetfulness of our
injury. Only Il few weeks since he had
gom, and this WAS the result! l could
scarcely credit II.
| went out. 1t was n lovely night.
/ stood upon the steps and looked across
the moomlit bay, at the southern side of
which the lighthouse rose dislaiufully.
A flash c.nle full upon my face, and
with it came the thought will go out
to the lighthouse.
descended rapidly ut first, and then
more slowly, and began To think; but
still went down, ana met Rob Murray,
nv boatman, rs entered shop 10 make
a purchase.
Goodnight, Bob. Going home?"
ave. aye, Master Harry. Home II
is, and time
"Wrll, Bob, I'm going out.
"Out, tonight. And where, il | may
make 20 bold rs to ask?
ITO the lighthouse, Bob, and You
must take me there, and cal, tomorrow 5
food, to TAKE M back.
Ert. sir. nv lady? Will she p"
Bob always called my mother "my
lady" not that she, except rs every
women is. was entitled to the courtesy;
but sh" deserved il, and the compliment
passed lmuoticed now, rs ever.
| silcrc,d him, and he agreed: I'm
your man, Master Harry, but i thiul
you'd better bide day or two; there's 4
look about the SEA that | dislike.
"Wind. Bob? | should like II hreczl
ont there Uu-morruw.'
lave, ave. Wind IS nothing to the
light-housc It's the sea! Suppose NJ
accident should happen suppose !
ship"
"SuppIse You give up cracking, Boil
Murray, and bear hand with the
boat" 1 wrapped up my purchase an'
went ont.
He responded it with alacrity, ant
said no more. Somehow his taclt ODE
dience impressed me more forclbly than
his weIl-meant warming.
IAN ready now, your honor" said Ia
at last.
Thank YOU, Bob. Lyon take tn,
filler, please" | knew the coast almos
as wei ~ he, and yet / would not hav'
touched the tiller. Ii was Il tribute t.
his superior skill and to my mother
fears.
We ran ont quickly, and in about al
about an hour were close to the light
house. \ simultaneous roar Of Alloy
there" brought my old friend Dobson I
the gallery.
Dobson, ahoy! lis IN. Emery,
Che always insisted upon calling IN
'Enerv.")
"Ncver. Well, and what brings y
here at this time o night, sir?'
Il want to come III, DobsOD, to sta
the night. Will YOU let me come up?
There was pause, and mt last he SAID
as We tossed upon the rising sea:
"I'll come down, sir-Ill dis-cend
sir, if you please"
He disappeared, and must have dc
seconded very rapidly, for i'll "A moment {
two he appeared at Il small door Openin
lust above the rock on which the ligh
house was erected; there he parleyed:
"Ye see, sir, this is quite out of regula
orders: | darsent let you in, not now
keep her of, Bob Murray, yew; ye'
have her stove Ill three threes SO ", SCI
sir"
"Dobson," l replied firmly, cts Il
use. Regulation or no regulation,
want to spend the night in the high
house. Here | am. You can, Of cours
keep me here il you like, but I'm not g
ing back now"
Dobson paused irresolutely, and Nh
ray said: ,,u
tomorrow and take him of. -
"Ah!" responded Dobson. "To-mO
row? Where be thine eyes, Bob Mu
ray, lad?"
Bob made no verbal reply He in
PEELED the boat toward the slippery roc
The tide was out; n well -judgedspring
the boat rose to the wave, and j land'
safely on the granite. When / turn'
round again Murray was already SIX fe
from my perch.
Good night Bob. Come back to-mO
row. Tell them I'm coming soon, if tn,
ask for me. I'm all right"
"Ayc, aye, Sir. Good night" Murri
ran for home with the sheet hauled We
aft, and lying as close to the wind as Il
flattened Fail would draw.
turned and found Dobson at my elbo
He..had heard my parting words, and col
mented upon them as follows, III a TO
that chilled me through:
"If he gets ashore much inside of
week I'm Dutchman, and saving yo
presence, Master 'Enry you's anoth,
Come in now-thc foods making
you please.
CHAPTER III.
IN THE LIGHTHOUSE.