The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1896-10-10
SAVED BY JOAN.

OtkSt PScB1c Ntt5 AAANADH 'NSS
toward the sea, not knowing from
what quarter OF at what point the
blow would fall.
But it is e. far cry from loves
young dream to possible invasion,
and the latter had few terrors for
Joan Tredgold and Hal Springett.
Joan was the daughter of the sex
ton of st, Michael's, and Hal Spring
sit owned a fourth share in his ia
theirs mackerel boat, which Of late
mad so prospered that the young
couple had felt justified in settling
down.
At sunset tho lovers had crossed
the estuary of the Teign from Teign-
mouth to the opposite hamlet of
Shaldon, where their new home was
to be. The Springetts' smack had
her moorings in Shaldon pool, and
it was arranged between Hal and
his father that he should live over
the water so as to keep en- eye on
her when i'll port.
Joan was standing in the doorway
of their future home, waiting for
the young fisherman, who dallied
within, arranging some sticks of
furniture that they had bought.
Suddenly a bright light shone out
in rear of the most seaward dwell
ing of the hamlet, which was a mere
hut, almost overhanging the har-
boris mouth. Poering through the
gloom, the girl deserted French Pc
ter moving about in front of flames
that sprang from a blazing tar buck
ct.
Hall she called softly. for the
mysterious scene was being enacted
but 100 yards away.
At the first sound of her voice
young Springett came running out
of the house and joined her in watch
ing the strange antics of the man
with the bucket.
"Ah!" he exclaimed at length, q
thought there was some knave's
trick in such goings on, and now
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?'
"Isee more than that-threo black
shapes on tho water, like ships
said the girl. straining her eyes in
the direction indicated.
Then may heaven protect Teign.
mouth and those dear to US, fol
those are French ships, and that
renegade, French Potor, is lighting
them to the harbOr!" exclaimed Hal
Let us fly to the boat, then, anG
row back and warn tho town." cried
Joan. They are still afar off, We
can easily cross the harbor before
they come"
II doubt it. They are standing il
before a fresh breeze and with a ia
voring tide. The French will bring
their own warming, | fear, in les:
time than it would take us to cross
ANoullliiS ttil sd ' tiIC w VIII IL tuS
French are minded to burn it, bu'
it is for you, Hal, to procure help
The people will fly to the church fol
sanctuary, and they should hold GU
for hours. The men of Devon ant
Cornwall will be along the coas'
somewhere toward Torbay, where
the main fleet lies. Do you speed
hence, take horse at the first farm
you come to and apprise them"
Hal hesitated, not liking to leav,
her there alone, He knew that hi.
sweetheart had received unwelcomt
attentions from Pierre Dufour, thu
very man who was aiding and abet
ting the present mischief.
But to her lovers objections Joal
answered quickly that she would b.
quite safe at the cottage, as French
Peter would be too busy with hi
villainous tricks to think of her
Besides, she added, IF | fee
lonely, l can go to Mother Robbins
hut and wait there
So, with q parting embrace, Ha
rushed away in the direction o
Ringmore, where he knew of a fas
horse, and Joan stood watchin,
French Peter, who was still feeding
his fire. The sounds of alarm wer
growing louder in Teignmouth q
the shadowy forms of the ship
doomed larger, but the bells of ST
Michael's church were strangely 81
lent.
Father must have gone to Sc
Aunt Prue at Bishop Teignton's,
said Joan to herself. Yet surel,
mother could have got one of tn
neighbors to ring the bell"
And then, with n lightning flash 0
remembrance, she put her hand t
her dress and felt that which sen
her Keeling against the doorpost sic.
with horror. That afternoon sht
had been sent by her father to dus
the altar rails, and in her haste II
keep tryst with Hal she had com,
away with the key of the church il
her pocket.
The sound of anchors being drop
ped and boats lowered reused her Il