Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-25
Gales alro Skttfkts.
A STRANGE STORY.
Continued from Yesterday. }

They made turn in an avenue which
was closely hedged with evergreen. and
strange scene lay before them
| A half-duzen lanterns stood on the
ground or hung from the trees. In the
space thus lighted a group OF six men and
one woman stood near large, handsome
monument. The woman was wrapped in
long cloak and was heavily yelled.
| Her arms were bound to her sides.
She stood in detected attitude, leaning
against the monument. Guy Crawford
could believe she was crying from the way
her head was bent, but her face was con-
cealed from the slightest view.
One old gray-haired man, with fright
ened face, stood near her; his hands, too,
were bound. The rest Of the men were
free but were disguised. some OF them
with masks, and were as well armed as
the two who had captured Guy
One of the captors held Guy Crawford.
while the other stepped across the lighted
space TO the man who seemed to be the
chief. The leader made an impatient
movement. and said something in tone
so low that no one but the men to whom
he spoke could hear it. He was evident
ly angry.
The men answered in louder tone -
Not the right man? How was to
know? wouldn't have supposed more
than one man would be tramping around
the country on such a night except he was
well paid for it. This fellow came along
shouting some nonsense about taking
what the gods sent and we took him at
his word, you see, and took him.
The leader laughed-a low ,stified laugh
! :. hot -bnt in nv tho
disguise which covered his face-but it
showed that something had pleased him.
| He spoke again, and as low as before
and the impatient man with him answered
Hell do. you say? ! should hope so.
Why, | wouldn't 90 hunting through this
black night for another one Tor twice the
pay YOU Offer"
The leader spoke again and the man be-
fore him nodded and turned away. He
spoke loud enough tor all to hear: who
ever tails to do what he is ordered tonight
will not have a chance to disobey orders
| again in this worldn'
To the woman he said:
You know this place? 1t is your
fathers grave"
| Her head was bowed and remained bent
| lower than before.
He turned to the old man.
"Yeu know the girl? You preached at
his funeral who lies here"
II know her. | knew him. You are
right" he said.
Morning again. Rain still falling. but
break in the clouds low down in the
eastern sky almost let the sunlight through.
The party who have made the past
night mystery are mounted now-all
but Guy Crawford. The two captives are
captives still-he alone is free. The one
who has been spokesman during the night
turns to him as they are ready to move
off.
"As our way lies east this morning.
yours lies west. You may go first Never
cross the path of any of us again, and be
thankful in what the gods sent you last
night, for there was hope tor you. Be
thankful for life this morning"
1t is beautiful morning. Fall has
come, but it is not late. Many summer
tourists will linger at mountain and ocean
for weeks yet.
A Young man walks along narrow
strip OF sand At his right is the ocean.
|
buffeting hands OF the storm, ever becomes.
At his left is low line of cliffs, high in
some places. They are scarcely more
90 feet opposite him.
We have thus far had only the merest
glimpse of this man. Looking at him
now, we see that he is Young and strong.
handsome and noble looking. and with
one paradox written on his mobile face
| IaI 1nnI- IF ara in b., mid ar IF cor
lessness which nature gave him when she
endowed him with the characteristics
which make him what he is.
We have heard more of him in the past
than we have seen of him. Let us listen
now. He is singing. little more thought
fully perhaps. than when we heard him
something more than a year ago. but
much the same as then:
| "Then take whatever the gods may send,
| Putting to scruples and DOUBTS an end,
Is the sensible way to live my
Goodness gracious !"
| The climax was not unnatural, when
one considers the cause. A lady had ven-
tured too near the edge of the cliff, and
went over just as he came opposite her.
Although steep. the cliffs were not per-
pendicular. and Guy sprang forward and
helped break the fall by catching the
young lady in his arms.
She was unconscious when he caught
her. but recovered enough to smile her
thanks to him. and to present the three
Young men who climbed hurriedly down
to TIE beach to her aid as her cousins.
Guy lad done little-except to act on
the precept embodied in his favorite song
for the lady would have fallen on the
sand but tor him, and had already escaped
the danger of the rocks on the way down.
She had, however. or affected to have, "a
great deal of gratitude. and Guy Crawford
always found a smile of welcome for him
when he sought her side.
To be with her became habit, Joy. a
part of his very life.
The three cousins might look coldly at
him: he never knew it. The woman
might be more than kind to him; he never
guessed it. His own heart might have
startled his intelligence. but he never
questioned it.
Never any of these, until he stood one
night with telegram from his employers
| in his hand His vacation, which was to
have lasted for a month longer. must
close. He had only one day more to re-
| main.
In the light of coming parting he knew
| - lac