The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-13
JANET LEE
In the Shadow of the
GaUOWS.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XIV.

THE FIRST cLEw.
The sailor sauntered slowly away from
the Globe Inn, like man who had ample
time at his disposal.
so this is Salem, he said to himself.
Its more like Turkey, where crooked
look brings bastinado, and word cuts
your head of. If this is what the new
world comes to in q generation or two,
it's best we find no more. The old is
kinder to u.s."
he was walking directly toward the
old meeting house, when pelt-a pretty
piece of fur hanging at door-attracted
him, when who should pass that way but
Arthur Proctor. He was in hurry, but
the moment he saw the sailor he stopped
and held out a hand cordially, which was
rs warmly grasped.
Good morning, Mr."
Jones'" said the sailor; Il need not
ask how the morning finds you, Mr.. Proc
tor"
Its lucky met you, for have word
for you in private"
"fhst is the very thought in my mind"
said Arthur Proctor.
why, then, we need not be long in
coming to business, said the sailor.
Where can We be alone?"
Il live hard by-a few steps more.
alone here for awhile"
As he spoke Arthur Proctor led the
sailor into the house and passed upstairs
into an upper room wh;re bed, chair
and trunk comprised the sole appoint
ments. Proctor sat down on the trunk
and pointed to chair.
This is going to great deal OF trouble
for nothing, maybe, said the sailor; but
I'll make bold to speak to you, now We
are alone"
Whatever you say will so no farther,
said Proctor.
If did not feel sure of that I'd not
be here"
He pondered, looking at the floor, while
Proctor waited his pleasure. At last the
sailor looked up.
What was the story about the murder
OF the innkeeper's SOM"
You mean Daniel Meade's SOM"
The sailor nodded
why, that was altogether bad busi-
ness. The young fellow was fearful Of
his father. He had quarreled-it was but
. trifing matter at the worst-and not
knowing but the authorities might inquire
Into it, when he came home he was afraid
10 be seen save by his parents for
time. Then 8 trayeler-a sailor, like
yourself-lodged overnight in the inn,
and, slee' ing in the same room with the
son, was bent on robbing the i'm. There
are some think there was quarrel. The
innkeeper and his wife aver the man was
trying to rob them, when the son awoke.
and in making his escape the robber shot
the son and killed him"
-Humph! That might be. too"
aCon 81 lo,hf
reason to question the parents state
ment?"
Far from it. If the boy was shot and
the lodger ran away, and all pointed as
you say, why, that ends it."
That is the story commonly believed"
Arthur Proctor looked at the sailor in
quiringly. The sailor seemingly had dis
missed the subject from his mind. He
turned abruptly to Proctor.
Think you Martin Lee is hereabouts?"
That I cannot tell, " said Proctor, eau
tiously. 1T would be strange if he were
here and not hear of it.
You know the Lees we'll, then?"
Arthur Proctors cheeks Redeemed. The
sailor, observing his rising color, added
quickly.
Pardon me. Imeant much less than
you have taken out of my question. I
have no right to meodle in others affairs,
but seeing what see, if the wind blows
as your looks lead me to think. I'm
pleased chanced upon you. I would do
Martin Lee good turn before I 60 to
Boston"
Il do not understand"
THAT is what 1 must explain fully.
You see, it's like this: Martin Lee don't
know am living. He thinks it best to
kaa ~ ap hor foro ohf
last. Twas all rum at the bottom-all
rum. I'll tell you the whole story"
The sailor crossed his legs, drew long
breath, and moving his head very slowly
from side to side continued:
Martin Lee and me sailed together in
the same ship. 1t happened so by acci-
dent. ANYHOW we were in the same fo'-
castle. The last time it happened we
hadn't met for years. He was given up
for lost--years. And he was. too, but he
found himself as I may say. Well-to
make nv story short, last time We sailed
was on the ship Eliza. The ship Eliza
took him from Portuguese ship. where
he was helped off wreck somewhere.
80 being old mates, We were mighty glad
to see each other. He had some rare
things-very rare things to show me. I
have specimen in my purse. Mayhap
you might guess what 1t ls.
The sailor produced his purse and drew
from the bottom of it piece Of fine
leather, which he unrolled carefully.
exposing to view curious-lo oking stone,
one side of which sparkled as he passed
it to Proctor, who turned it over in his
palm indifferently and returned 1t.
Il never saw such thing before"
Nor I. But shouldn't wonder if it
would bring hundred pound or more.
rs it diamond?" demanded Proctor
eagerly.
That's what Martin gave it o me for
and never knew him to tell me lie.
He gave it to me as keepsake to buy my
self present with, he said. You see
when We got ashore-safe and sound both
ofus, and the ship at the bottom, and many
brave fellow with her-we were main
glad. That was nature. Well. We turned
to, and called for the best that WAS 80.
ing. That was nature, too. Think what
We had come through since We had part
ed. Well. twas selfish like for me to 90
aone at it, so h d a friend, and he
founl mate, and We made a day of it
and night, and another day atop of
that, and another night. And then We
had us much company US Jack ever has
till his pOcket's emDty Whether If Waa