Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-10-01
SAVED By JOAN.

The tronCn WSfo masters or the
channel, and all along the English
coasts people cast anxious chances
toward the sea, not knowing from
what quarter or at what point the
blow would fall.
But it is far cry from loves
young dream to possible invasion
and tho latter had few terrors fol
Joan Tredgold and Hal Springett.
Joan was the daughter of the sex
ton of St rliChael's, and Hal Spring
ott owned a fourth share in his ia
Tiers maCkcrcl boat, which of late
had so pro>pcrcd that tho young
couple had felt justified in settling
down.
AT sunset the lovers bad crossed
tho estuary of the Teign from Teign.
mouth TO tho opposite hamlet OF
Shaldon, where their new home was
to DO. Tho SprirgCtts smack had
her mOOrings in Shaldun pool, and
it was arranged between Hal and
his father that he should live over
the water SO as to keep an eye on
her whom in port
Joan was standing in tho doorway
of their future home, waiting for
the young fisherman, who dallicd
within, arranging some sticks of
furniture that they had bought.
Suddenly a bright light shone out
in rear of tho most seaward dwell.
ing of the hamlet, which was n mere
hut, almost overhanging tho har-
boris mouth. Peering through the
gloom, the girl deserted French Pc
ter moving about in front of flames
that sprang from blazing tar buck
ct.
Hall she called softly, for the
mysterious scepo was being enacted
but 100 yards away.
At the first sound of her voice
young Springett came running out
of tho house and joined her in watch
ing the strange antics of the man
with the bucket.
"Ah!' he exclaimed at length, II
thought there was some knave's
trick in such goings on, and now I
am sure of it. Look you there, Joan,
over to the westward. Can you not
make out the CLINT of white sails
against the afterglow?"
Il sec moro than that-three black
shapes ON the water, like ships, :"
said the girl, straining her eyes in
the direction indicated.
Then may heaven protect Teign-
mouth and those dear to us, for
those are French ships, and that
renegade, French Potter, is lighting
them to the harbor !" exclaimed Hal.
Let US fly to the boat, then, and
row back and warn the town." cried
Joan. They are still afar off. We
can easily cross the harbor before
they come"
Il doubt it. They are standing in
before fresh breeze and with u ia
voring tide. The French will bring
their own warning, l fear, in less
time than it would take US to cross.
Nothing can save the town if the
French are minded to burn it, but
it is for you, Hal, to procure help.
The people will fly to the church for
sanctuary, and they should hold out
for hours. The men of Devon and
Cornwall will be along the coast
somewhere toward Torbay, where
the main feet lies. Do you speed
hence, take horse at the first farm
you come to and apprise them"
Hal hesitated. not liking to leave
her there alone. He knew that his
sweetheart had received unwelcome
attentions from Pierre Dufour, the
very man who was aiding and abet-
ting the present mischief.
But to her lovers objections Joan
answered quickly that she would be
quite safe art the cottage, as French
Peter would be too busy with his
villainous tricks to think of her.
Besides, she added, IF / feel
lonely, I can go to Mother Robbins
hut and wait there"
So, with parting embrace, Hal
rushed away in the direction of
Ringmore, where he knew of a fast
horse, and Joan stood Watching
French Peter, who was still feeding
his fire. The sounds of alarm were
growing louder in Teignmouth as
the shadowy forms of the ships
doomed larger, but the bells of St
Miohael's church were strangely ST.
lent.
Father must have gone to see
Aunt Prue at Bishop Teignton's s, "
said Joan to herself Yet surely
mother could have got one of the
neighbors to ring the bell.
And then, with lightning flash of
remembrance, she put her hand to
her dress and felt that which sent
her Keeling against the doorpost sick
with horror. That afternoon she
had been sent by her father to dust
the altar rails, and in her haste to
keep tryst with Hal she had come
away with the key of the church in
her pocket.
The sound of anchors being drop
ped and boats lowered reused her to
immediate action. Tho invaders, she
thought, would ut first give them
selves up to plundering, and it
would be some little time before
they would reach the church. If she
herself could CROSS the harbor and
land unseen by the enemy, there was
just chance that she might make
her way to the church with the key
in time to give the refugees admit