Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-02-04
For the Ellsworth American.
The Hermit Of Little Island.
BY BYRON W. STEVENS

The family finally departed, all excep
the young man. He remained behind TO
a few days during which time he roome,
with me. | was glad to have him for
| looked upon him as being perfectly up
| right; moreover he constantly remipde,
me Of her whom loved so well. | KEEP
nothing from him and he knew nv busi
ness affairs perfectly well. One morning
the day before his intended departure from
me, he carelessly asked why did not in
vest my money where it would accumulat,
faster than IN the bank? replied that
was not used to speculstions and consid
eret the bank safe place of deposit He
then read letter purporting TO be from
his father which stated that certain eec.
tric railway company was offering limit.
ed amount of stock at a figure which mus,
shortly double itself. Il am going to in.
vest few thousand myself. he continued
and VIII take up two or three thousand
Tor you. We talked the matter over and
as he assured me he should buy stock for
himself finally decided to put two thous.
and dollars into his hands to invest for
me. | was about 10 write check for the
amount in his favor when he detained me,
saving | had better draw the amount in
person as | would finally have to accom-
pany him TO the bank to vouch for his
Identity, before the bank would pay so large
a sum.
That evening placed the money 10 his
hands and the next day he left for New
YORK tie promised to send my certificate
Of stock in few days; but several weeks
elapsed and did not hear from him. From
my sweetheart | received many letters
which read over and over again. Finally
one came from him. 1t stated that the
company was involved in law sui, and
that pending the decision of the court he
did not think II advisable to buy. When
it was settled, which no doubt would be
soon, he would let me know In this let.
ter noticed that he carefully avoided all
mention of my money.
l
received n le,far frnn, 1e-. >-s.ust-s--
be irregular, but that in the following June
they should all be at the cottage again. In
cidentally she remarked that her cousin had
gone to Florida. This last piece of news
startled me and now for the first time
began to mistrust his intentions. never
heard from either of them again until the
first of May, when l chanced to read this
item in our local paper, Mr.. and Mrs.
arrived at their cottage last evening. Ii
is reported that they will not occupy It
this season, but will depart for Europe in
a few days.
| leave you to imagine the effect of this
bit Of news. That some evil was lmpend-
ing had long felt in their silence. But
this was a combination for which | was
totally unprepared. That the man In
whom had implicitly trusted should thus
basely defraud and betray me | could ad-
NIT, but that she should deceive me in this
shameless manner, and then come back in
to my very presence, was past belief. An
awful rage possessed me; and yet think
that even then an utter contempt for them
both was the predominating feeling.
What should do to unmask his perfdy!
As for her, | would tear her image from
my heart. My bitterness at her treachery
overbalanced my love. But he and | must
balance our account. At last | decided to
go up to the cottage that very evening
and confront them both.
The road lay through dark wood. part
of which ran by the bayside. The night
shut in dark and rainy, but pursuing my
original intention | started about seven
O'Clock. l had travelled about half the
distance when l met some one approaching
with lantern. By its fash as we neared
each other saw his face. The recogni.
tion was mutual. We'll, old friend he
said, this is an unexpected pleasure; your
hand But declined the proffered greet.
| ing. Yes | replied, "a pleasure indeed
You were doubtless coming this evening
to deliver my money, and apologize fol
supplanting me in your cousins affections
You are an interesting pair, well matched
heartless hypocrite, to a knave; more
than that, you lack the gratitude which ,
dog would feel. will know also if yo,
are coward With this l struck him full
In the face. He certainly did not lacl
physical courage, for casting aside his Ian
tern, with an oath he bounded upon M
like a panther. The light went out an,
We were enveloped in total darkness.
was prepared for the assault, however, an,
clinched him fairly. A fearful frenzy pos
sessed both of US, and in the gloom o
that wild night, under the swaying trees
we strained every muscle for the victory
But found ere long that he was NOR
than a match for me, and my body wa
trembling under the continued struggle
Presently he pressed me backward. and W
fell together into hollow, it seemed, fo
was stunned by the fall. In few me
ments was sufficiently recovered to rist
My companion lay beside me and waite
for him to bestir himself, for some tint
but he did not move. l then logged hil
slightly with my foot and called him t
get up, but he made no reply. With
horrible foreboding groped about for tt
lantern which after q long time succeed
ed in finding and lighting. sought th
hollow into which we had both fallen an
knelt beside my enemy. A deep wound
his head from which the blood was fiowin
told the story; he WAS dead.
The discovery stunned me. God know
murder had never been In my heart. Z
.. an accident, arising to be sure out Of n
: anger, he was killed. Self preservation
|. ever the first law of nature. Although N
; guilty in point of intention, how should
sustain myself when inquiry should
: made. These thoughts flashed through N
mind in moment. must dispose of Il
body, but how? The roar of the sea offe
ed Q suggestion. With some difficulty
raised it in my arms, carried it throul
the woods to the neighboring Cliff, n
with . shudder of horror, tossed it In
the seetbing waves below. l then d.
back toward the village. No man had -