The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-08
New Series-V~l. XIV. No. 2.

name was Bell, in good health and very
glad to see me. What pleased me more,
however, was that he had three letters for
me, one from my father, one from my sis
ter Mary and one from my betrothed, Lily
Board, the only letter ever received from
her. The contents of these writings were
not altogether pleasing, however, for
learned from them that my father was in
broken health and almost bedridden, and
indeed, though I did not know it for
many years after, he died in buckingham
church upon the very day received his
letter. 1t was short and sad, and in it he
said he sorrowed much that he had allowed
me to 60 upon my mission, since he should
see me no more and could only commend
me to the care Of the Almighty and pray
him for my safe return AS for Lily's let
ter, which, hearing that the Adventures
was to sail for Cadiz, she had found means
to dispatch secretly, though it was not
short, it was sad also, and told me that so
soon as my back was turned on home my
brother Geofrey had asked her in mar
rage from her father, and that they pushed
the matter strongly, so that her life was
made a misery to her, for my brother way
laid her everywhere, and her father did not
cease to revile her as an obstinate jade
who would fling away her fortune for the
sake of q penniless wanderer.
''But, - it went on, ''be assured, sweet
heart, that unless they marry me by force,
as they have threatened to do will not
bulge from my promise. And, Thomas,
should be thus welded against mywill I
shall not be wife for long, for though
am strong believe that I shall die Of
shame and sorrow. It is hard that should
be thus tormented, and for one reason
only, that you are not rich. Still have
good hope that things may better them
selves, for see that my brother Wilfred is
much inclined toward your sister Mary,
and though he also urges this marriage on
me today she is friend to both Of us and
may be in the way to make terms with
him before she accepts his suit Then
the writing ended with many tender words
and prayers for my safe return.
Now, all this news gave me much cause
for thought.
Meanwhile I did this: Going to a nota-
ry, caused him to prepare deed which
translated into English. By this deed
vested all my fortune except 200 pesos
G0c1o L ACpV ALL A3J WV oA1S3 - SAAASS go
sons, to hold the same on my behalf till
came to claim it. These three persons
were my old master, Dr.. Grimstone of
Bungay, whom knew for the honestest
of men; my sister, Mary Wingfeld, and my
betrothed, Lily Board directed them
by this deed, which for greater validity I
signed upon the ship and caused to ewit-
messed by Captain Bell and two other
Englishmen, to deal with the property ac-
cording to their discretion, investing not
less than half of it In the purchase of lands
and putting the rest out to interest, which
interest, with the rent of the lands, was to
be paid to the said Lily Board for her
own use for so long as she remained un-
married.
Also with the deed executed a will oy
which devised the most of my property
to Lily Board, should she be unmarried
at the date of my death, and the residue
to my sister Mary. In the event of the
marriage or death of Lily, then the whole
was to pass to Mary end her heirs.
These two documents being signed and
sealed, delivered them, together with all
my treasure and other goods, into the keep
ing Of Captain Bell, charging him solemn
II to hand them and my possessions to DR.:
! Grimstonc Of Bungay, by whom he would
be literally rewarded This lie promised
to do though not until he had urged me
almost with tears to accompany them my
self.
With the gold and deeds sent several
letters, to my father, my sister, my broth
er, DR.. Grimstone Squire Bozard and last
" to Lily herself. In these letters gave
an account of my life and fortunes since [
had come to Spain, for gathered that
others which had sent had never reached
England, and told them of my resolution
to follow Garcia to the ends Of the Garth.
:'Others,' wrote to Lily, may think
me a madman thus to postpone or per-
chance to lose happiness which I desire
above anything on earth, but you who un-
derstand my heart will not blame re,
however much you may gricve for my de-
cision. could never be happy even at
your side if I abandoned my search now.
First must come the toll and then the rest;
first the sorrow and then the JOY. Do not
fear for me. feel that shall live to re-
turn again, and if do not return ut least
am able to provide for you in such fash
ion that you need never be married againat
your will. While De Garcia lives must
follow him. u
And here may state that those letters
and everything else that sent came safely
to Yarmouth
And now Lily wcpt-frst for JOY be-
cause of my good fortune and then for sor-
row because had not conc with my treas
ure, and when he had seen all and heard
the deeds read by virtue of which Lily was
rich woman whether lived or died the
squire, her father swore aloud and said
that b. had always thought we'll OF me and
kissed his daughter, wishing her JOY of her
luck. In snort, all were pleased except my
brother, who left the house without word
and straightway took to evil courses. But
all talked loudly Of my madness because I
would not abandon the chase Of my enemy,
but chose to follow him to the far Indies.
though Squire Board took comfort FROM
the thought that whether lived or died
the money was still his daughters. Only
Lily spoke up for me- saying: Thomas
has sworn an oath, and he does we'll to
keep it, for his honor is ut stake. Now 1
go to wait until he comes to me in this
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