The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-02-25

the Cliff House, and pursued his way with the
uneasy feeling that there was mystery some
where
Charlwood received the answer "All's well at
each post and returned to his hut. He had not
been in more than five minutes before he heard
tap at the door. Jumping up, pistol in hand,
he opened it, John Logsdail, his chief petty
officer, stood there.
is it?"
"WeIl sir" said the tar with salute, C. think
it is right to tell you that old mounseer over
there at the Cliff House has just drove off on the
road to Fowey in cart with two other chaps"
:That's queer thing" said Charlwood, "why
he only left me half an hour back. Could you
make out who were his companions?"
"Not 'xactly, SIR said Logsdail, "but one
looked like that ere Dan Pearce, and t'other
weren't unlike the doctor"
"All right" said the lieutenant, feeling that
all was wrong, keep good lookout the
house,
The man saluted and went. Next morning the
lieutenant was out early, and bent his steps
towards the Cliff House. At distance he could
see Dolly in the garden and he felt his heart
beat hard as he approached her. Never had she
seemed so bewitching, as she stood there with
her beautiful brown hair clustering under a
garden hat, and her dress tucked up so as to dis
play the tightest of reds girt ankles in the most
coquettish of shoes She greeted him with an
unusually cordial smile and told him that she
was alone at home.
"Then l may come in" said Charlwood.
"Well," she said, fathers very particular, but
he's away at Fowey ON business he has lot of
business, you know; I don't know what it is,
but it often keeps him away at night, and brings
him in contact with a lot of funny people So
come in"
The lieutenant vaulted over the low garden
wall, and stood by her side. They talked for a
long time about a variety of matters before
Charlwood could bring himself to breach the
subject uppermost in his mind. At length he
took one of her hands in each Of his, and said:
dolly, I've heard very bad news of you. You
know that l love you, truly, honestly, and
honorably, and you have told me that you love
me-"
"And so l do said Dolly, looking into his face
with her bright eyes. Who has told you any
thing bad of me?"
Your father told me last night answered the
lieutenant, that you were engaged to Dan
Pearee."
"That / an engaged to Dan Pearce!" repeated
Dolly. why, my dearest one, do you think |
would see you and talk to you and tell you my
heart as / have done so often, and all the time
be doing the same to another man? And he, of
all men. Surely you don't believe it,
"No, don't" said Charlwood; but your father
o11 Iictip T boyo
often here, that made up my mind to see you
and learn th = zoe. own lips"
well, th don't believe word
about it. I age of my own heart, and
no one hass it away, just as they
would give owa lass of drink
'No, my dear Dolly" answered the lieutenant,
"but people have right to steal your heart if
they can
"No, people have no such right said Dolly
with coquettish toss of the head Z" if like to
give it away why" Here she paused and
became deeply interested in knot Of ribbon.
"Well?" said Charlwood.
"Why-well and good" answered Dolly; II
can do so-perhaps l have done So"
This was meant cruelty, but the young officer
did not take it in that sense.
"To me-" he said, haven't you Dolly" Say
so. You've given it to me-"
And as she murmured "Yes," he threw his arms
round her. and without doubt would have kissed
her, if harsh voice had not broken in:
"Ullo! Ullo! Mine Gott and tunders, Dis
is pretty sight-yery near kissing I tink dat
time only came in and spoil the fun. say,
lewtenant, you know what told you."
And the old man drew Dollys arm into his,
and went into the house, leaving Charlwood
standing in the garden, astonished and rather
shame-faced
Weeks passed, and yet nothing happened.
Dan Pearce still hovered about the Cliff House,
and once or twice endeavored to make acquaint-
ance with the preventive men. The strictest
watch was kept day and night upon all roads
and paths in the neighborhood, yet nothing
stirred. News reached Charlwood daily that, on
account of the war, the contraband trade was
more active than ever, yet nothing could be more
peaceful and homely than the aspect of Tregan-
MON. Van der Meulen came in as usual, talked,
smoked, and drank; the parson and the doctor
visited occasionally, but Dolly had never come
near the hut since the affair in the garden. Yet
the lieutenant was uneasy, not about the snug
Cling for he trusted his men too we'll, and had
made his dispositions too skilfully to be anxious
on that account, but about the murder of poor
Porter The Government reward had been
doubled correspondence upon the subject was