Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-05

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copyisht. 1898. by CHARLES scRIBNERs SONS

Better clear the wreck and sc, the
mizZen tOpsail and the fore and main
sail in. sir. Snd reef the fore and main
topsails. The spars are buciling fear
fully. She can't stand much more"
"Oh. Bentley" he said with a sob,
and then. mastering himself. he gave
the necessary orders to clear away the
wreck and take in the other sails and
close reef the topsails. in order to put
the ship in proper trim for the rising
storm: after which, the wind now per-
hitting. the ship was headed for Phila-
delphia.
AS Seymour turned to go below he
came face to face with Talbot. The
two men stood gazing at each other in
silence.
I'VE still have an account to settle.
Mr.. Talbot" lie said sternly.
"NIy God" said Talbot hesitatingly,
wasn't it awful! How small. Sey-
mour, are our quarrels in the face or
that. pointing out into the darkness.
"Such tremendous catastrophe as
that is.'
Seymour looked at him curiously. The
man had not yet fathomed the depth OF
the catastrophe to him evidently.
"As for the quarrel" he continued in
a manly, generous way, "I-perhaps l
was wrong. Mr.. Seymour. know l
was but | have loved her all my life.
l am sorry l spoke so, and beg your
pardon. But-won't you tell me about
the note now?'
A great pity for the young man filled
Seymour's heart in spite of his own
sorrow. 81 loved her toO," he said
quietly. The note was sent to me
from Gwynn's island, where they were
confined. had offered myself to her
the night of the raid-just before 1t, IN
fact-and she accepted me. The note
was mine. Where is it,
OH said Talbot softly, lifting his
hand to his throat. And loved her,
too. and she is yours. Forgive me. Sey'
mour: YOU won her honOrably. / was
TOO confidential fool. The note is gone
into the sea. We cannot quarrel about
it now"
"There can be no quarrel between us
now. Talbot. She is mine no more than
yours. She-she"- He paused. chok'
ing. She
"Oh. what is it? Speak, man" cried
Talbot in sudden fear which he could
not explain. Philip Wilton had drawn
near and was listening eagerly.
That ship there-the Radnor, you
KNOWS lost, and all on board OF her
must have perished long since"
Yes, yes. it's awful. But what OF
that-what of Katharine:'
Don't you remember the note? Colo
mel Wilton and she were on the Rad
nor"
The strain of the last hour had un'
dermined the nervous strength OF the
Young soldier. He looked ut Seymour,
half daZed.
1T can't be-" he murmured. why
did you 10 it? How could YOU: The
world turned black before him. lie
reeled as if from blow and would
have fallen il Seymour had not caught
him. Philip strained his gaze out over
the dark water
"Oh. my father. my father" he cried
"Mr. Seymour, is there no hope-ho
chance:'
"None whatever my, boy; they are
gone
"Oh. Katharine, Katharine. why
did YOU do it. Seymour" said Talbot
again.
Seymour turned away in silence. He
could not reply: now that it was done
he had no reason.
The dim light from the binnacle IAN
tern fell Oh tie face Of Bentley. Tears
were s.an,ing in the old mans eyes
as he looked at them, and he s;iiu SLOW
ly as if in response to Talbots ques
ton:
For love of country. gentlemen,
And this. again. is war upon the sea