Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-10-27
JANET LEE
In the Shadow of the
GaUOWS.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE FIRST CLEw.

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 a baStinaGo, and word cuts
your heal of. If this is what the new
world comes 10 in a 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 hang ng at a door-attract ed
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
as warmly grIsped.
GOO l-morniug, Mr."
Jones'" sa d the sailor; Il need not
ask how the morning finds you, MIR. Proc
tor"
Its lucky I met you, for have a word
for you in private.
"That 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 hald by-a few steps more.
This is M lodging place. We can be
alone here for awhile"
AS he spoke Arthur Proctor led the
Tor into the house and passed up-stai;s
into an upper room wh re bel, chair
and trunk comprised the sole appoint
ments. Proctor sat down On the trunk
aud pointed 10 chair.
This is going to a great deal of trouble
for nothing, maybe, said the sailor; but
I'll make bold to speak to you, now We
hre alone.
Whatever you say will SO no farther,
said Proctor.
IF l did not feel sure of that I'd noI
be here"
He pondered, looking at the floor. while
Proctor waited his pleasure. At last the
sal or looked up.
what was the story about the murder
Of the inukeeper's SOM"
You mean D iniel Meade's SOM"
The sailor nodded.
why, that was altogether bad bust
ress TIE young fellow was fearful ol
his father. He had quarreled-it was but
n trfiing matter at the worst-and not
knowing but the authorities might inquire
into it, when he came home he was afraiC
10 be seen save by his parents for 6
lure. Then q trayeler-a sailor, like
yourself-lodged overnight in the inn
rnd, slice ing in the same room with the
son, W. bent on robbDg tho inn. There
are some think there was quarrel. The
innkeeper and his wife aver the man was
trying to lob them. when the son Nwoke,
md in max ng his escape the robber shot
The eon and killed him.
"Humph That might be, too.
You seem 10 doubt it. Have you any
reason to question the parents state.
nent?"
Far from it. If the boy was shot and
The 10 ger ran away, and all pointed as
YOU say, why, that ends it.
-Tha; is the story commonly believed.
Arthur Proctor looked at the sailor in
quiriugly. The sailor seemingly had dis
missed the subject from his mind. He
turned abruptly to Proctor.
Think you Martin Lee is hereabous?'
That l C mot tell, said Proctor, eau
tiously. ct would be strange if he were
re and | not hear of it,.
You know the Lees we'll, then?"
Arthur Proctors cheeks Redeemed. The
sailor, observing his rising co,or, added
quickly.
Pardon me- l meant much less than
you have taken out of my question.
have no right 10 meddle in others affairs
but seeing what see, if the wind blows
as your looks lead me to think. In
pleased l chanced upon you. / would dc
Martin Lee gool turn before go tc
Bos 'ou.
Il do not under ,tQnd.
THAT is what | must explain fully
You see, it's like this; Marin Lee don't
know l am livinc. He thinks it best tC
keep ont Of harms way since we fought
last. Twas all rum at the bottom al
rum. I'll tell you the whole story"
The sailor crossed mis- legs, drew long
lreath. and moving his head very slowly
from side 10 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 ur
for lost-years. And he was. too | ut he
found himself a ! may say Well-tc
make nv story short, last time we sailed
was on the ship Eliza. The ship Eliza
took him from a Portu guese ship. where
he was helped off n wreck somewhere
So being ola mates, we were InlShCy glao
10 see each other. He had some rare
things-very rare things to show me.
have specimen in my purse. Mayhar
YOU might guess what it is.
The sailor produced his purse and drew
f1om the bottom of it piece of fine
leather which he unrolled carefully
exposing to view curious-lOoRing stone
one side of which sparkled as he passed
it to Proctor, who turned it over in his
palm indifferently and returned it.
81 never saw such thing before"
. Nor /. But shouldn't wonder if il
would bring a hundred pound or more%
"Is it @ diamond?" demanded Proctor
eagerly