The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1892-09-22

the pane with such force as to shiver
the glass.
An instant only the young girl felt
alarmed, then she smiled, for she
knew what had caused her momentary
fright. Some bird, in its nocturnal
wanderings, attracted by the glare of
the beacon, had flown headlong to its
death.
"Poor thing!" murmured Estelle
compassionately, "perhaps it is only
stunned. | will descend and see."
Hurrying down the short flight of
stone steps the maiden issued forth
into the night and went in search of
the wounded bird. She found it
where it had fallen; and, picking it
up carefully, returned to the lantern
room.
A glance convinced Estelle that the
victim of its own rashness was Of no
ordinary species. She examined its
plumage more closely, and was
astonished to find piece of thin
paper firmly secured to one of the tail
feathers by fine, hair-like wire.
Relieving the feathered messenger
of its burden, Estelle opened the mis-
sive and read,-
"Legitime has learned that you are in or
near Aux-Cayes, and has sent the Men-of-
War, Belize and Tausant, to attempt your
capture. They sailed this morning from
2 ort-au-Prnce, July 10th.
A few moments, Estelle contem-
plated the important despatch, while
the unfortunate bearer lay dead in her
hand. Then it dawned upon her that
the warning must reach its destina-
ton and she must speed it OH, for was
not her own father on board the Mer-
cedes? And another, a young sailor,
and the girls heart gave quick bound
as she thought of the brave mariner
who had asked her to be his wife
when the cruel war should draw to- q
close.
Quickly thrusting the paper into
the bosom of her dress, and drawing
the light lace mantle, which was sus-
pended to her shoulders, over her
dark, luxuriant hair, Estele again
descended the stairs and fastened to
sheltered cove, where small skiff
lay moored to the dropping branch OF
a mango tree.
She loosened the painter, grasped
the oars, and pushed out into the bay
AS the courageous girl rounded the
low point of land the outlines of the
patriots vessels, the Mercedes and
Jacquc-Mal, became visible.
Estelle pulled straight towards the
former, but when within few feet
of the craft which she sought, her
way was checked by the challenge
"Qui va LAP"
But only for an instant did our
heroine hesitate. then she recognized
the voice of her betrothed.
"Francois Maniquat! 1t is l, Es-
tele!" she exclaimed joyfully.
"Where is your American comman-
dant! have message for him. He
is in danger"
"Danger, mademoiselle" was
asked, in a voice that TO Estelle bore a
strong foreign accent. "What new
danger threatens us?'
Ere the girl could answer, her boat
touched the side-steps, and assisted
by Francois Maniquat she climbed to
the deck, where she was confronted
by a tall, fine looking man, wearing a
long, broad sword, and with
two glittering revolvers thrust into
his belt, while his attire was COM
bination of naval and civic costume.
"This, MONSIEUR" returned the
maiden, placing the paper IN the
Ameican's hand, "was brought to the
lighthouse tower tonight by a poor
pigeon which beat out its trail lie
against the glass of the lantern 10"
will know whether it is of importance
or not"
The commander took the message
and hurried with it to his cabin, ,where
he remained but moment. then reap
peared and issued several orders Il"
his men in quick sucGession'
Turning to Estclle he sr"spcd hcr
hand and said with much earnest
ness:
"Mademoiselle, you have tins nigh'
| ,al Of hnrniSm for when