The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-06

How dreary it looksr said tho girl.
"I wonder IL that scullery window Is still
unfastenedf'
Charley tried, and, TO his surprise, the
sash slipped UP without difficulty. Its
a case of gentlemen first this time" said
he, stepping through the aperture. Come
along, tomboy If you're not careful,
you'll tear your dress. The windows no
bigger than the lubber hole of brig"
The easement being negotiated in safe
ty, together they wandered through the
cobweb festooned rooms Of the once pala-
| tial residence Ascending to a second
story, Robson carelessly threw open a
door of a room which faced the landing.
Here an unexpected sight met their gaze
Sitting before wood fire was an elderly
man, contemplating the flames with a
ruminant air. At the sound they made
| he turned his face toward them and start
| ed in alarm.
The next moment the youth was across
the room and graphing with the stranger.
"You villainp' he painted. GIVE got you
at last! Run, Allie Bring some one
quickly / can't hold him long Say he's
deserter from the navy"
The trembling limbs Of the girl failed
to carry out the behests as she stood fasci-
mated, watching the unequal struggle,
which was speedily ended
Youth and agility were no match for the
sailors sinewy arms, and in short time
Robson was ignominiously pinned against
the wall
With lowering brows and eyes which
bore no good to his captive West stood
staring at the lad as If undecided what to
do with him. Them catching sight of the
pale face of Alice, who was petrifed with
horror upon recognizing in her compan-
ions antagonist the man who had SO per-
sistently logged her footsteps of late, his
own features assumed softer expression,
and he muttered, ut is kismet"
After a pause Of breathless silence the
ex-sailor, addressing his captive, said
"You are not SO muscular as was your
father in his youth, young fellow. The
Charley Robson that 1 knew would never
have allowed an old man to get the better
of him; but let that pass and come to the
crux of the matter. You want to arrest
me for deserving from the navy Very
well, you shall, if you still wish to- after
hearing what have to say"
Releasing the grip upon his would be
captor, the elder man, in strangely Gull
| tured voice. addressed his auditors.
Years ago." he said, II was known
and respected in this neighborhood-a
man Of substance and member Of the
diplomatic corps Unfortunately in my
official capacity l became embroiled in
quarrel with a political opponent, and, as
was more common even Is years ago, the
result was l had no alternative between
fighting duel or being dishonored.
Not to make long story, my adver-
sary and our seconds journeyed to Guild
ford with me late one night, intending to
settle our differences at daybreak on the
following morning. With the courtesy
that such affairs demanded l offered the
whole party hospitality for the night
''From the moment my head touched
the pillow until was awakened the next
morning my mind was an entire blank;
but judge of my horror when, essaying to
rise, l found the bedclothes dabbled with
blood and at the foot of my couch CORY
hunting knife belonging to myself. ST.
multaneous with my horrible discovery,
the servant found the man l was to have
fought lying foully murdered
Although conscious of my innocence,
! dared not face the inquiry which was
sure to follow, as who would believe my
own theory of the matter, which was sim
ply that l committed the terrible act in
my sleep, as from childhood L had been
Hastily caressing my infant daughter, the
only pledge left me by my departed wife,
left the house like felon and fed the
country and it was hunger for glimpse
of my dear child's face that has worked
my undoinG My faithful secretary con-
nived at my escape, and subsequently sent
me the news of the finding of an in
dictment for willful murder against Sir
Richard Westerne Yes; you will be able
to deliver up to justice more important
person than the desertcr West. My devoted
retainer Burton, who assisted me at such
great risks TO himself, is not here to help
me now He Is dead.
"He was Il villain, Sir Richard!" cried
Robson in wild excitement. 1T was he
himself who killed Lord Marcus and art
fully foisted the blame upon you in order
that you should not discover his defalca
tions. My father possesses his dying con-
fcssions to that effect"
The sudden revulsion of feeling was al !
most too much for the baronet. lettering
to the nearest chair, he buried his face in
his toll worn hands. Silence reigned in |
the room for few intense moments; then
Sir Richard, feeling a gentle hand upon
his shoulder, looksi upon into sweet but
still scared face and two half frightened |
gray eyes
Daddy, dear" Charley heard voice
murmur softly as he stole from the room.
Powerful friends at the ad miralty soon
CLOSED over the delinquencies of the sea-
man West and Sir Richard Westerne once
more assumed his proper rank and station
AS time wore on, and the vividness of his
past misery faded, he could even afford to
joke about the matter, and sometimes, up
on the rare occasions that he saw a certain
young officer, would, much to the amuse-
ment of his daughter, simulate extreme
terror and cry in affected dismay, "He
has come for meat last!" When some few
years later a very excited YOUTH with a
golden circlet upon the arm of his new
uniform coat, burst unceremoniously into
the room, he was greeted by the same old
joke and in response thereto blushingly |
replied, I'm let you off this time if you
will give me Allie as a hostage" And as
the girl seemed to be a willing sacrifice