Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-15

SAVED.

full neon CLEANED utIuly tuIouSu
dark riffs of cloud. lighting up long
stretch of beach, upon which the foam
capped pillows broke with that deep,
moaning sound which presages coming
storm. This sound had awakened Lucy
Mott, the fisherman's daughter, who now
stood leaning upon the sill of her window
looking out half anxiously. halt dreamily,
on the wild and desolate scene. She was
slight, fair girl of Is, with delicate fea-
lures and an air of delicate grace and re-
finement which seemed scarcely in accord
ance with her homely surroundings. And
vet her father, ..Old Phil Mott" as he
was called, had come of a respectable,
well-to-do family, who had long since dis.
carded him on account OF his wlid ana
lawless ways, and his marriage with a
sailors pretty daughter, who had made
him better wife than he deserved.
She had been some years dead, and
Lucy now filed her place in the humble
home. She did what she could to make
it pleasant and attractive; but the girls
nature was an elevated and refined one,
which found no congeniality in the society
of the few fishermen's families by wnom
she was surrounded, and nothing to graft
fy her taste in her humble home beyond
her bit of flower garden and the sea, al
WAYS grand and beautiful, and most OF all,
box of books which had years before
been left in her fathers care and never
reclaimed 1t takes solitary. pleasure
less lite such as Lucy's to enable one to
appreciate the value of such treasures as
Shakespeare, Scott and others, who have
been to thousands, and shall be to millions
more, blessing and Joy forever"
But Lucy was not thinking just now OF
her dearly loved books. Her mind was
less pleasantly occupied in anxious
thought OF her father, who had left home
at daybreak on fishing excursion, prom
ising to return at sunset. She had watched
for hin till long alter dark. and had fallen
into light slumber. from which she had
been aroused, as we have said, by the
premonitory sounds of the coming storm.
IL hope nothing has happened TO him"
thought Lucy, anxiously. And, as if in
answer to the thought, came suddenly the
sound of her fathers voice, borne toward
her by the breeze. Leaning forward, she
saw dimly two figures advancing swiftly
up the beach. and she stood still, wonder
ing who could be her fathers companion
at this late hour. Nearer they came and
paused at length almost at her window,
talking earnestly.
IL don't much like it. must say" she
heard her father remark; and in answer
came some words in an eager, suppressed
voice, at the sound OF which Lucy drew
back with sort of suppressed shudder.
1t was Martin Heriot, as he was called
young man who had suddenly dropped
into this quiet little fishing hamlet as from
the clouds, and concerning whom nothing
was known except that he was good look
ing, clever and very agreeable when In a
good humor, but fierce and desperate
hen aroused.
He had fallen in love with pretty, mod
est Lucy Mott and her father had only
yesterday told her it was his wish and his
will that she should become the young
mans wife. Heriot he said, was clever
| fellow and could make her fortune if he
would. And soon as they should be mar
ried, they would go. all three,
away from this wretched place to
another, the name of which he did not
mention, but where, he said, their fortunes
would be secured. And the girl knew
that when her father spoke in this resolute
way he was in earnest and that, therefore
her fate was sealed.
Poor Lucy 1t was not only that she in
| stnctivelv shrank from and mistrusteC
Herot, that this match was so distastefu
to her, but that, almost unknown to her.
self. she had allowed her thoughts anC
her heart to become interested in another
She blusbed when she thought of it. ano
remembered that ffiiis other was almost &
stranger to her-a young man whom SHE
had seen only as he rode past her father:
cottage, and had spoken to but once OF
twice as he had stopped and asked if hel
father were at home, and then lingering
| had remarked upon the beauty of tn
flowers in her little garden. And the last
time she had seen him he had glanced a
the old leather-bound volume which lay
open on the gate post, while she was bus
| lily tying up her roses. and had inquired
with that look of pleased surprise in his
deep blue ewes, whether she liked the
Lady of the Lake" That had been only
yesterday. and ever since Lucy Mott had
been in sort of vague, delicious dream
that startled and frightened herself-all
born of something inexplicable which she
had seen in the look of those blue eyes
But he was the rich Young heir of the
Rock ford" estate-she could see the tai
chmneys ard Lombardy poplars rising
miles away-whilst she was only fisher
mans daughter.
And now, in the place of that sweet
half-tender voice. the accents OF which
still haunted her, Lucy was listening to
Martin Heriot's rough, energetic tones
as he spoke rapidly and eagerly.
II tell you Mott, the thing must be done
at once, or not at all. We have scarcely
half an hour left"
But if he shouldn't have the money
with him P' said Mott doubtfully, as il
seeking an escape.
"He has got with him. 1t twas purpose
" for this money that he went to Nj
yesterday. and. as | told you, he was seen
to secure it in his wallet before he left the
bank. Four thousand dollars! Think OF
1t man, and what it will do for US ~ And
Heroit grasped his companions arm and
gazed earnestly into his face.
1--WE may be found OUT
ave can't be found out. | have planned
securely against every risk. and defy the
devil himself to betray us. In the name
Of"
And here followed an impatient burst OF
blasphemous language, in the midst Of
which Philip Mott, as if yielding to a
mower superjor to himself exclaimed