The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-08-11

made me feel like eighty. I'm worn out,
fit for nothing my last voyage p
In this way were the old salts thoughts
drifting along, when he was aroused from
his dream, or reverie, by scream from the
road.
Captain Russell was on his feet in a
moment, Just as he would have been on
the alert if he had been summoned by the
watch at sea. He went hurriedly to the
wall and looked over into the road. About
a hundred yards off he could see young
girl struggling in the hands of tramp
The tramp was swearing and saying:
"Give me your watch and your money,
and be hanged 10 you I'll cut your head
off if you make such row, confound you!
"Helpl Murder Oh, don't hurt
me r.
I 'Let that girl alone, you villain p
shouted the captain. 'tI'll break every
bone in your body if L catch youp'
The captains voice had lost none of that
ancient strength which had made it heard
above the storm. The tramp fully ex-
pected that a vigorous young man was
about to attack him, and therefore, after
making a savage, but unsuccessful wrench
at his victims watch pocket, he threw her
violently from him on to the hard road and
made his escape.
The next minute Captain Russell had
arrived on the scene, and was gratiied to
learn from the villains curses that he had
altogether failed in his attempt at robbery.
The girl, however, lay gasping in the
road. He at once knelt down by the
PROSTATE form, and there seemed to him
something which particularly attracted
him to her. Her face was white and her
eyes closed. She was fainting; and, as he
raised her head he at once noticed that her
features were not unpleasing.
"Poor child You must let me move
you. Cheer up He has not hurt you
much, 1 hope; and 1 hope, too, he has not
got any thing. Poor child try and
walk"
Captain Russell raised the lovely burden,
and half carrying it, half leading, he ap-
preached the steps which led to his garden.
Then taking her in his arms, he carried
her-not without many groans-to his
lookout, where he placed her at full length
upon rug of lions skin.
The old captain went methodically to
work like the sailor that he was He
poured little water into his left hand and
flliped it daintily into her face; he bathed
her forehead and propped her head with a
cushion.
To facilitate these proceedings he dis
covered that he must remove her hat, but
as her luxuriant brown tresses came tumb-
ing down over her shoulders and became
eutangled in his fingers he felt peculiar
tingling sensations such as he had not ex-
perienced for quarter of a century. The
light of the setting sun did not mend mat
tiers as it threw its glorious rays over the
pale but beautiful face, and frightened up
the truant hair like so much gold. Itwas
a very sweet face, and the old sea-dog al
most groaned as he thought how cruelty
his fate had served him in giving him three
times as many years as that loveable Great
ure beside him.
'PooF girl How beautiful she is-as
beautiful as Rhoda. But -"
The girl opened her eyes as he spoke
blue eyes full of wonder.
"Ah, getting better? That is a good
girl? That fellow fled like smoke Drink
this; it will do you good p
He poured out glass of water, and held
it to her lips.
"Thank you" said she, as he took the
water. Where am / Where is man.
map"
"Cheer up, my dear. Let me moisten
your lips with this.
"Oh, that is brandy! l am all right
now. Give me your hand, please, sir
eyes, of course. Now sit in this easy
chair. When You have rested | will take
you home"
Captain Russell gently raised his patient,
and placed her in his favorite chair, after
which he again sprinkled her forehead,
fussing about her as if he had been her
grandfather,
"Qh, how very good you are. | am so
very grateful to you. If it had not been
for you l should have lost my watch
and -"
She paused, and looked toward him with
a sweet smile.
"Don't meption that. 1 have done
nothing"
"Indeed-indeed you haver'
"Well, well, just as you like. Take a
good rest, and then Til conduct you home.
1t does bluff old sea dog good to know
he has been of some use-indeed it does.
But what is your name, and where do you
live-oh, my dear?"
"My name is Rhoda Scryvenor, and"
"Rhoda-Rhoda? What business had
they to call you Rhoda?"
eyes, my name is Rhoda," she replied
with an amused laugh; "why not?"
"Why? Because my mothers name is
Rhoda, of course.
And she uttered little rippling laugh,
as if much amused by his ridiculous ques-
ton.
He was little puzzled at first and then
Joined in the laugh
ooh, no, no! An old bachelor sailor,
such as l am, is always asking ladies some
thing stupidl'
"But who are you who have been so good?
May | not know? Mamma would like to
come and thank you"
"Oh, don't. I've done nothingl-Im
only old Captain Russell, of the East India
Company's ship Travapcore.
"Captain Russellp'
"Humph! She's heard I'm bear"
He muttered these words as she repeated
his name, for she had started, and
troubled expression had come over her,
But quickly hiding this by collecting her
fruant tresses, and putting on her hat, she
II am so grateful to you, Captain Rus
sell. Will you allow me to go homer"
"Of course, if you are really better; only
you must accept my arm as an escort.
Come along, my dearl'
Then taking his hat and thick stick,
he offered Rhoda his arm.
"Why do they allow you to be out so
late? 1t is dangerous,
81 have been over to Westleigh to see
an old friend who is not quite WE'LL Nam
ma will think / am staying all night, as I |
,a;d sbould ,f T fonrd ha- Wow, III R,,t L