Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1884-09-16

after bis arrival in Amsrica. he learned
ihs, Captain wrake had been found gull
,y Of the charge Of forgery and sentenced
to a long term Of penal .ervitude. God
frey Denyer's absence had AvAiled no more
than the prisoners eager Pro,e',a,ion' Of
innocence 10 avert an adverse verdict. for
Independent, persons had sworn to their
belief ,ha, the signature TO the check was
no, in handwriting of,he supposed draw
er. The news gave Godfrey severe and
painful shock. and had sobering effect
upon his character lie conceived u to
be bis duty a, leas, to provide for the
necessities Of the poor woman and inno-
cen, children whom he had rendered mis-
cradle lie had not the courage 70 return
to England and clear Captain Wakes
reputation. bu, short Of thu, he resolved
TO make every A,onemeni in his power.
With this object be devoted himself As
sidaously TO business. and regularly re-
mi,,sd the large portion Of bis earnings to
a Trustworthy agent, Who applied tho
money for Mr wnke'. benefit, The
poor lady frequently blessed her unknown
benefac,or. but Godfrey Denyer never
dared to disclose bis identity. les, the wife
Of the man he bad 90 cruelty wronged
should .pun hi. gif'.. and thu. deprive
him Of the small consolation he derived
from helping hsf.
At length be wAs informed ,ha, Cap
tain wnks would shortly be Sc, At liber
", and be then resolved to carry into sH-
ecu,ion a plan which had been slowly
forming in bis mind for years past ln
spite Of the pecuniAry sacrifice. he had
made. he fcl, ,ha, he had by no means
.,oned for bis sin. twas no, question
Of money. for be was prepared 10 continue
his bcnsfAc,ions and 10 provide Captain
wake with funds 10 make a fresh start
in life. IL he would aeoep, any favor Of
him. Bu, his chief purpose was TO return
to EnglAnd and to place himself unresef'
yedly in Csp,.in WAKES hands. II the
captain would AeesP, no apology or CON-
pensa,ion. and insisted upon bis publicly
acknowledging bis basenes', Godfrey
Denyer Was determined TO do %. regard-
lea. OF the consequences.
This resolution had COS, him severe
struggle with his moral eowardiee, bu, at
length he succeeded in sammoning up the
necessary for,i,ude for his self''mPo'ed
penance. 1.-The secretly hoped that Cap
tain wrake would be satisfied with some
smaller sacrifice, be was, nevertheless.
perfectly sincere IN hi, purpose. lie re-
turned to Ensland, looking PremA,urely
aged, with ,,reAks Of gray in bis hair.
though he Was barely thirty. Bu, bis
bearing was calm and resola,e. aud a
shrewd observer would have guessed a,
once that he had suffered some greA,
trouble. which had dArkened bis life.
On the day when Captain Wake was
released from prison Godfrey Denyer sen,
him a requs., that he would grant him
an interview a, an inn near the gates Of
the jail lie fel, deeply agi,a,ed at the
PrOsPee, Of finding himself face to face
with the man who mus, have been eurs-
ing him for years. and who would nov be
the Arbi,er Of hi. fate but bis hrmnes'
did no, desert him. and. when Captain
wnke appeared, his purpose never wav-
cred.
To hi. amszemen,. the captain huns
hi. head and accepted his ou,s,re,ehed
hand without hesitation. but in a very
humble manner. Godfrey could scarcely
believe hi. senses. and doubted whether
il va. really his former friend who stood
before him. l, was indeed he. however
though. he. too. had aged and was much
changed in appearance. For moment
neither spoke, and then suddenly the cap
tain burs, into tears. and said in ehoak'
cd voice:
"Denyer, don't say a word. cant
stand il. IL guess now who has been
the savior Of my poor wife and children.
What am TO say to your noble conduct
You frs, stand my friend by no, appear
ing agains, me at the trial, so as to give
a poor devil chance, and ,hen-,hen
you &C, as guardian angel to those ! have
so cruelty wronged. And you. Of al
others, are the person from whom | had
the less, righ, to expee, kindness"
why" demanded Denyer hoarsely,
with a Wild throbbing at his heart.
"why How can you ask You know
my offence" said the captain. aver,ine
hi. face
"Do you mean-do you mean ,ha,
you were really guilty." cried Denyer
with blessed sense Of load being sud
denly lifted fom his mind.
"God forgive me, yes was desperate
your helplessne's tempted me, and-and
-" the captain paused and hung his head
again. while Godfrey Denyer insolantar,
gave a long g-drawn sigh Of intense relief
for the oxford Democrat.
NOTES OE A NEW ENGLAND