Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-29


time they take. In person, IL may
speak OF what should he sacred. she
was finely made. somewhat taller than
the average, her hair of that fair color
which is the chief glory of the Eng
lish maiden. If Lisbon girl could
show that fair hair, with those blue
eyes and that soft cheek touched with
ruddy hue and the velvet bloom OF the
September peach. she would draw TT
er her the whole town. with tho king
and his court and even the grand in
Quistor and his accursed crew OF tor.
turers.
She was Of a truly affectionate dispo-
sition, her mind being as lovely as her
face. In manners she was easy and
compliant, in discourse sometimes
grave and sometimes merry. AS for
her great possessions. she was so SIM
pie in her tastes and habits, being in
all respects like the daughter Of a
plain merchnntman's skipper. that she
understood little or nothing of what
these possessions meant or what they
might bestow upon her.
No one. however. must believe that
there was any thought or discourse con-
corning love between us. had been
her companion and playfelow I knew
her very mind and could tell at any
time of what she was thinking. Some
times her thoughts were of high and
serious things. Mostly they were Of
things simple, such as the lroSpccA Of
the last brew or the success of the
latOt cordial. or SuitorS she had none.
although she was now, as | said, 16
years of age. There We're no suitors. I
very we'll l;now why, because, perhaps
for friendly reasons Captain Crowle
had told me something of his ambition
for his ward. She was too rich and
too good for the young men Of Lynn.
What would any Of them do with such
an hciresS: She was too rich and too
good even for the gcnilefok of tie
county n hearty. rough. good natured
people who hunted and shot and feast
ed and drank What would they do
with an hciress Of wealth beyond their
highest hopes had they any knowledge
OF her wealth? But | believe that they
was except the captain. The girl was
intended by her guardian for some
great man. He knew not as vet how
he should find this great man. but lie
knew that thcr" We're very few. even
of the noble lords in the house Of peers.
whose forum" or whose income would
compare with that of his ward-his lit
M yx-l,n II L.;
ton, knew also that was trusted not
TO betray confidence nor TO disturb the
girls mind by any talk of love. Now,
the mind Of young maid piously dis
posed is like the surface of calm sea.
which looks M 10 the sky and reflects
the blue Of heaven. undisturbcd till
Dan Cupid comes along and ogitatcs
he calm with the reflection of some
shepherd swain and ripples the surface
with new thoughts which are allowed
by heaven. but belong not to any Of its
many mansions.
Therefore we talked Of everything
except love.
The sun went down as we sat talk.
ing. The sun went down. and the soft
twilight OF June, the month which
most | love because there is no dark
ness and man on watch can discern
ahead breakers and ships as well as
the vast circle Of the rolling sea And
then Nigra gathered her work together
and arose.
Come to supper, honey" she said.
Come, Massa Jack" and she led the
way.
Supper over, the captain, instead Of
turning round his chair to the fireplace,
filling his pipe and calling for another
glass OF October as we expected, push
cd back his chair and rose with dig.
nifty.
"Jcnnifcr," he addressed Mollys
mother the pcrSuaGcr."
Jennifcr was her Christian name. She
got up and drew from the corner by the
cupboard stout crab tree cudgel,
twisted and gnarlod like the old tree
from which IL came. "Be not revenge
full, John" she said.
NO. no. | am justice Of the peace.
am captain on my own quarter deck.
Punishment l shall bestow not re-
venge.'
well. John, but he ia young, and
you are old"
Captain Crowle laughed young. Is
he? And l am old. am l? We shall
sce'
Some one was going to be tried, .iudg-
ed. found guilty, sentenced and 10 re-
ceive his sentence at once. The thing
was not unusual in the house or n JUS.
ticc Of the peace.
Come with me, Jack 1t shall not he
said that ! inflicted this punishment
without witness. All the world shall
know about il, If so be the culprit de-
srcs. Come with me, Jennifrr. keep
within, and II you hear Eroans praise
the Lord for the correction Of n sin.
ncr."
Greatly marvcling, | followed the
captain as he marched out Of the par
lor. Arrived at the garden, he looked
around. $50" he said, "he has not yet
come. Perhaps il is light enough for
you to read some OF his pernicious
stuff" With that he put his hand into
his pocket and drew forth paper.
Read that Jack. ! say, read it,"
| obcyed, The twilight gave sufficient
light for reading the manuscript. BE-
sides, the writing WAS large and in bold
characters. "Why," ! Mid, ~ know
this writing. It is Sam Scmple's."
VERY good Go on, Therefore,
At the very first words | understood