Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-05-23
4 revenge PLOT THAT FAILED.
Harry. dear. don't 70. "

| II must, Cfa beRXafs can 10
choosers, answered bitterly. "After
all. dearest girl. it will be only for .
few months.
"a year. I'm afraid. Harry. from
what father says.
"Well, since he has found me this
work mustn't shirk it. Goodby. my
own girl
What misery does poverty entail on
loving heartsl Cicely Fleming and l
had loved one another for years-ever
since, indeed, we were children togeth-
er. / had spent the few hundreds my
father left me in completing my eugi-
neeripg education In Germany. Then
came home, confident of finding work.
But nothing came my way in spite Of
every endeavor At last Mr.. Fleming's
interest procured me place as assistant
engineer in building new lighthouse
on the dangerous island Of Skryn. of
the west coast Of Ireland.
parted with Cis on Tuesday. Fri
day morning found me on the small
sailing craft which was the only means
Of communication between Skryn and
the mainland.
Soon we landed. and waded ashore
and walked mp the steep path to the top
Of the cliff.
As reached the summit man met
me, and. holding out his hand, said:
Good morningl You're Mr.. Brydon.
SUPPOSE I'm Gallant
He was not 80 i'll looking-at least rs
far a. features went. Ii was not till
later that discovered the peculiar re-
pulsion he inspired me with was due to
his eyes. These were extraordinarily
dark and piercing. but across the iris
Of one was q remarkable pale yellow
mark which. combined with q very
slight squint. gave him an absolutely
uDcanny appearance.
Next day was up betimes, boiled
my big kettle. made my coffee and was
ont on the reef before Callan was visi-
bic. The men were already at work i
spoke to them. but either they could
not OF would not talk. Presently Callan
came ont, scrambling along the reef
What burly brute he looked ia the
clear morning sunlight He spoke to
the men with extraordinary roughness.
They evidently feared him. and. soon
saw, hated him too.
This puzzled me till knew him bet
ter. But very few days opened my
eyes IL ever there lived man without
,De grain Of pity in his composition, 1t
was Eugene Callan. He seemed to take
an absolute delight in cruelty FOR cruel
tvs sake. There was a boy called Bar
ney McKeown who acted as servant 10
Callan. The way Callan bullied that
unfortunate hoy was appalling. | Won
dered how the others could see such
things happening
A few weeks later We had storm
which stopped all work.
sat in my hut reading most Of the
day and listening TO the gusts that
roared at times like thunder. Once or
twice fancied a shriller sound mingled
with the gale.
Late in the afternoon Ii lulled lit
tie. and suddenly there came. distinct
and clear to my ears, a scream Of pain.
I spraDg up and listened. Again and
again the cry sounded out 1t was from
Callan's hut it came.
sprang ups rushed across and flung
open the door. The sight that met my
eyes made me blaze with anger. Strip
ped to the waist and writhing with
pain. the wretched McKeown was tied
to the head Of Callan's bed, while over
him stood the big black bully, iashing
him with ropes end.
Whats this fcrf" cried.
Callan turned his crooked gaze on me
"To teach the young hound obedi-
ence'' His voice grated with rage at
my interruption. "And what business
is it Of yours. Mr.. PryF"
fancied for an instant he was going
for me. But was much too angry TO
think Of consequences.
"You re an internal bully" shout
ed. "And if you don't chuck it | can't
make you. but I'll soon let our employ
ers know.
The bully was a coward-tha. 1
knew. But he could have killed me
with one hand. So my relief was con-
siderable when he suddenly threw
down the ropes end. l united Nc
Keown, and. pushing him before me.
left the hut.
But Kissing whisper followed me
"All sight, young man, your turn
now. But you'll pay for it. -
One day letters came across from the
mainland one from CHS and one in an
unknown hand.
Cis' letter. Of course, l read first.
linen tore open the other and skinned
it through.
Only by slow degrees did l realize its
import. My mothers uncle. old Sir
Bernard Child, had died and left me
everything. Why. had never seen
him, hardly imagined that he was
aware Of my existence. walked ont.
and, still in a dazed condition, called
McKeown to pull me across to the
mainland. Then bolted mp to the viii
Iage postoffice and sent of wire. To-
ward sunset the reply came, assuring
me my news was correct in every de-
tail looked up the first train from
Cuicroes in the morning, arranged
about a car to take me there and was
soon rowing back to Skryn.
The sun had long set behind the sea
rim as we pulled into the little cove,
and il was quite dark as we clambered
up the narrow rock path. Reaching the
top. glanced across to the huts and
thought saw the gleam Of light fash
under the door Of my shanty. ! was
about to hurry on when the boy laid
hand on my sleeve.
Presently there was scratching from
within. A match famed up. The man
who had lighted it was crouched on the
door. his body between us and the
light. he was unwinding . piece Of
very thin twine or strong thread and
carefully stringing It across the 6ocr
from the bed to the stove he passed It
round q leg a the stove and then back
again, securing il finally with infinite
caution to q little shiny metal tube
which protruded from the top Of small
/ / -A.A