The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-12

Of it an was never seen BY his mates aein. They
was honest fishermen. an they worked home
easy enuff. fur vessels leaving Calforny was
allus short-handed then. an they told their
story. say1u' how Eric had gone of with wagon
and span of mules, an they'd thought bed come
back, but he didn't; that they looked for the
gold but it was all gone. Philsnder he woulont
give up hope; he believed in Eric who he'd
treated like his own son, an. sus.
pected the two men as came home, out
they lived and died In honest poverty. an
AFTER years their names was cleared. A year or
two later We begun to hear through letters tnat
Eric was a rich man in San Francisco. but never
the whole truth till Philander was dead. mis-
Tarbox he'd a hard time 20 bring the boy up.
but Mason growed to be q fine nan. Jest think
eff he'd got the prop'ty riehtfully his. how diner.
emit his life would q bean; what good chances OK
bein' suthin' in the wurld, an best or all he'd %
. Twin yet to comfort his stricken mother
$50 that is the story said Marguerite. nes
young face white and stern 'They say here
that my father robbed his benefsctor, his second
mother aud her child. II it be true lam weight
ed down with shame and sorrow: but will not
believe IL until l have proved it Dear Captain.
i don't doubt you, but stories gather in long
years; there may be q better side TO this" she
went to the window looking down on the grave
barely outlined under the drifted snow. Ia
Their / shall como to see You no more until l
know the truth. until il you did this wrong l
have atoned for IL In my poor way. Captain
tomorrow, for you have promised TO aid me,
You must take me over TO the Cape. . my aid
and defender"
an stan by ye allus. " said theC Captain heartily.
me. too chimed Sol, II told you fuss' Miss
You. too, little Solitude she smiled sadly.
w will clear my fathers name. or IL that be
sullied and dark we will do right by the wroneed
people .,r
could beg you on my Bonded knees an stop you
from IL l would, but / see we'll you wunt turn
back Bearing misfortin so brave will turn 10
from ye. an tho Providence as watches over or
phins will guide you through. And this old
arm will protect ye. an ward OF the blows a.
well ~ q poor ignoront old man KIM"
She pressed his hand with q pathetic tremu-
lous smile, then followed by Sol. who immedi-
ately attached himself to her, and was her little
shadow for many weeks, went down the long
flight Of steps out into the dreary day.
One bright cold morning. when the SKY and
sea were q steely blue, the north wind freightsd
with icicles that stung like needles. Marguerite,
wrapped in her furs. sat in the stern Of the cat
rugged boat by the side Of Captain Reed.
Solitude. perched up n the bow, called out
now and then, Heres . big wave comm"
''See that eulli' and childish on the
danger of their undertaking. He had q curl
ously gloomy mind, Swallowed by a lifelong &C.
quaintance with Borrowing, anxious people. AZ
last the boat rasped AGAINST the stone wharf at
Cape Tarbox. and Marguerite, with beating
heart. stepped ashore. Facing the harbor were
q number Of weather-beateu cottages. all save
one showing a curling glimmer of smoke from
wide chimneys and cheerful life behind narrow
PANIED windows. This one cottage. bare and
d~esolatc, stood on a bleak cliff. Mighty gales
from the sea roared through its broken sashes,
rafting the oaken door IS If beseechine hands
were begging shelter. Marguerite stood In the
door Of the old fish house that covered half the
wharf. Whose house is thatF she asked Sol,
while the captain made bis boat fast.
That chirped Sol in his sharp voice. "thats
Philander Tarboxs. It's all busted. told 70
she was ont ter the poor farm over . mile away
beyant them hills an that pine growth" He
pointed a mittened thumb.
"Wun't ye go inter Marty Pisrce's an warm
yef said the Captain anxiously. 81 know ys
are cold, Miss Marereet"
'No. nc" she cried with a shudder. "Since
landed / feel In the very air that the people hats
me. / see the desolate house, the ruined home.
God pity me. for / almost doubt my father"
She hurried after Sol, who called to them to
follow.
People came to their windows to look. and. the
poor girl fancied, to say. Eric Stockdales
daughter" She noted two grizzled old men
como out by q door and look after her. One
nodded to the Captain, then both turned and
looked to that house on the cliff.
The way was snow-orifted and cold, the tan
eled undergrowth Of the pines tore her face and
hair with savage force, the very trees tried to
punish her for her fathers sin. AT last
Sol stood before a tumble-down gray farm
house. perched queerly over a brick basement.
{ They went up the steps and knocked. 4 tired
locking woman with a baby on her arm led
them into . bare, cold room. where there were
only wooden chairs. a big table, covered with .
dirty oil cloth and laid with q row Of tin basins
and battered knives and forks.
Its most dinner time" said the woman. star.
ing with dreary eyes at the beautiful girl: 'ef
you want Lish. he's of fshin'; don't know when
he'll be home"
1--WE don't 'zaxsly want Lish." said the Co