Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-10

with you II thought that you were a
common criminal, you may be sure Of
that. Be frank with me, and we may
do some good. Play tricks with me,
and I'll crush you.'
"What do you wish me TO do?''
ITO give me a true account Of ali
that happened at the Abbey Grange
last night-a true account. mind you,
with nothing added and nothing taken
Off. know so much already that II
you 60 one inch OF the straight I'll
blow this police whistle from my win.
dow, and the affair goes out Of my
hands forever"
The sailor thought for a little. Then
he struck his leg with bis great sun.
burned hand.
"I'li chance IT," he cried. II believe
you are n man Of your word and a
white man, and I'll tell you the whole
story. But one thing I will say first.
So far as I am concerned regret
nothing and fear nothing, and
would do II all again and be proud Of
the Job. Damn the beast. II he had az
many lives as cat he would owe them
all to me. But It's the lady, Mary
Mary Fraser-for never will I call her
by that accursed name. When I think
Of getting her into trouble, who would
give my life just to bring one smile to
her dear face, it's that that turns my
soul into water. And yet-and yet
what less could I do? I'll tell you my
story, gentlemen. and then I'll ask you,
as man to man. what less could I do.
II must 20 back bit You seem TO
know everything. 80 I expect that you
know that met her when she was
passenger and I was first officer Of the
Rock of Gibraltar From the first day
! met her she was the only woman to
me. Every day Of that voyage I loved
her more, and many n time since have
I kneeled down In the darkness of the
night watch and kissed the deck Of
that ship because I knew her dear feet
had trod IT, She was never engaged to
me. She treated me as fairly as ever q
woman treated man. have no COM
plant to make. It was all love on my
side and all good comradeship and
Friendship on hers. When we parted
she was a free woman. but l coulo
never again be Tree man.
Next tiEle l came back from sea ]
heard Of her marriage. Well, why
shouldn't she marry whom she liked;
Title and money-who could carry them
better than she! l didn't grieve Ovei
her marriage. was not such selfst
hound as that just rejoiced that
good luck had come her way and that
she had not thrown herself away Oh o
penniless sailor. That's how l loved
Mary Fraser.
well. l never thought to see hei
again. but last voyage l was promoted
and the new boat was not yet launch
ed, SO l had to wait for couple o,
months with my people at Sydenham
One day out in a country lane ME,
Theresa Wright, her old maid. She
told me all about her, about him, about
everything. tell you, gentlemen. Il,
nearly drove Inc mad. This drunken
hound-that he should dare to raise his
hand to her whose boots he was no,
worthy to lick. met Theresa again
Then l met Mary herself. and met heI
again. Then she would meet me ne
more But the other day l had no
tice that was to start on my voyage
within a week. and l determined that
] would see her once before l left
Theresa was always my friend, for sh
loved Mary and hated this villain al
most as much as l did. From her
learned the ways Of the house. Mary
used to sit up reading in her own little
room downstairs. l crept round there
Hcr l~hA o,1A NJ IN v~,l,&
dow. At first she would not open &c
me, but in her heart know that now
she loves me, and she could not leave
me in the frosty night. She whispered
to me to come round to the big front
window. and l found it open before
me, so as to let me into the dining
room. Again l heard from her own
lips things that made my blood boil
and again cursed this brute who mis-
handled the woman loved. Well
gentlemen, was standing with hei
just inside the window, in all limo
cence. as God is my judge, when he
rushed like a mailman into the room
called her the vilest name that man
could use to q woman and welted her
across the face with the stick he had
in his hand. had sprung for the
poker. and it was fair fight between
US. See here on my arm where his FIRST
blow fell. Then it was my turn. and
went through him as IL he had been
q rotten pumpkin.
"She had screamed when he struck
her. and that brought old Theresn
down from the room above. There
was a bottle Of wine on the sideboard,
and l opened 1t and poured little be
tween Mary's lips. for she was halt
dead with shock. Then I took drop
myself. Theresa was as cool as ice,
and It was her plot as much as mine.
We must make it appear that burglars
had done the thing. Theresa kept on
repeating our story to her mistress
while l swarined up and cut the rope
Of the bell. Then dashed her In her
chair and frayed ont the end OF the
rope to make 1t look natural, else they
would wonder how in the world bur
glar could have got up there to cut II,
Then I gathered up n few plates and
pots Of silver to carry out the idea OF
the robbery, and there left them,
with orders to give the alarm when !
had a quarter of an hours start. /
drODDed tho silver intO tho ponN mud