Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-09-14

still stronger. This seemed to en-
courage the ship, essaying to make
roadway against the waves. Again
he beacon waned. 1t was unaccount-
able. Dorcas reported he had fed it
sufficiently. Some suggested sta
Joining one of the party at the light.
This was hardly considered. They
all wanted to man the boats. Ac-
companied by comrade, Dorcus
went second time. The light grew
less intense. They hurried, disre-
garding life and limb, reaching the
fire quickly. Their surprise and an
ger were almost uncomfortable when
they found the fire encircled by heaps
of snow, hastily formed.
ssThe girl, Ade!'' snarled Dorcus.
ssThere's no doubt of it," said his
companion.
1--WE will h =, 4or her," said Dor
Gus.
"No, no don't do that - remon-
strated the other. ''We will fix the
fire and watch behind the rocks, pre-
tending we are going back. If we
see shadow, we will know who it
is"
Dorcus assented. They placed
more fuel on the burning embers, de-
stroyed the ridges of snow, walked a
little way, and hid behind an adjacent
rock. They waited long. Inaction
benumbed them. Yet they waited.
Below the restless wreckers walked
to and fro.
"What is the matter with the bea-
con, tonight" asked Astle. He
was wondering at its unusual con-
duct.
1.-THE spray dashing from the locks
on it," suggested one.
The darkness deepened, deepened
over the cliffs, darker and darker.
1t fickered. The shadows became
more vague. Behind the rock Dor
Gus was moving.
ssHist !"
His comrade looked. Dorcus
held his hand warningly. They peer
ed forward. Their anger changed to
fury.
In the shade of the cliffs, where
the faint light of the dying embers
did not penetrate, they saw young
girl bending over the turbulent wa
ters, seemingly in prayer. Ever and
anon she cried =
''Thank God, they are saved p
With an oath Dorcus sprang to-
wards the girl, and would have thrown
her from the cliff, had not his COM
panion interfered. This man knew
worse Astle had so high regard fo1
the laws of his own framing that he
would sacrifice the life of his own
daughter-his beloved AIDE even-in
their upholding. To the wreekers
this would be sweet revenge.
They stopped to re-light the bea-
con. The wood was wet with snow
and spray, and would not ignite. Be-
sides, the ship evidently thought
something wrong lurked behind bea-
con so erratic, and allowed herself
to drift to sea at the mercy of the
storm, preferring destruction from
the cruel waves of the ocean, rather
than the human fiends on shore.
On the shore, hoarse cries and an
CRY words were heard. Dorcus hur.
ried, half-dragging, half-carrying his
burden. The wreckers were anxious.
ly awaiting him, and excitedly de-
manded the cause of his protracted
stay. The appearance of his charge
answered all the questions they were
prepared to launch upon him.
Standing apart from his men, Worse
| al oh. laI k0 ha han n.t
ing the story Dorcus unfolded; and
he watched the proceedings Of bis
followers in agony. Well he knew
the rule established on his assuming
command of them. Bitterly did the
truth present itself. Either he must
prove a coward before his compan-
ions in vice, or in obedience to the
law himself had made, deprive bis
daughter of her life.
He would forfeit his own life soon.
er. He reflected. That would leave
her to the care of these merciless
wretches. But how could he condemn
them =? Were not his own hands dy.
ed in darker, deeper crimson? And
to his crime would he add another
and this last? His darling AIDE
She, who had twined herself around
his heart as the ivy twines about the
oak, would die-and by his hand
The last of his race. She, in whom
reposed the whole history of his ex-
istence. He would offer his life in
the stead of that Of his daughter.
He saw her blindfolded, led to a
rock overhanging the sea, and left
there with hands clasped upward in
mute supplication.
Three of the men came from the
group and approached him.
Captain, are you ready to fulfill
the law?" asked the spokesman,
touching his cap, standing respect
fully at short distance.
"Men, do you ask father to
shoot his only child? Will not my
life suffice? Let me be blindfolded,
led to the rock, and shot?"
"None but the offender, Captain.
The rest of us say so. Your own
rulo Honto;,