Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-06-16
for The Term of His Natural Life

BY MARCUS CLARKE

her father, threw II up to him. He
returned It, and shouting with laugh
ter, clapping her hands between each
throw. the child kept up the game.
In the midst Of this mirth the officer
Of the watch, CHANGING round the fast
crlmsoning horizon, paused abruptly,
and, shading his eyes with his hand,
looked out intently to the westward.
Frere, who found Mrs. Vicker's CONVEX
sation a little tiresome, and had been
glancing from time to time at the com
panion. as though in expectation of
some one appearing, noticed the action.
What is It, Mr.. BestT
Il don't know exactly. II looks to me
like a cloud Of smoke" And taking the
glass, he swept the horizon.
Let me see" said Frere, and he
looked also.
On the extreme horizon, just to the
left Of the sinking sun, rested tiny
black cloud The gold and crimson,
splashed all about the sky, had over
flowed around 1t, and rendered a clear
view almost impossible.
II can't quite make 1t out" says
Frere, handing back the telescope. 1--WE
can see as soon as the sun goes down
a little"
BY and By Captain Blunt appeared,
and taking the glass from his officer,
looked through II long and carefully.
Then the mizzen top was appealed to,
and declared that he could see nothing;
and at last the sun went down with
jerk, as though 1t had slipped through a
slit In the sea, and the black spot, swal-
lowed up In the gathering haze, was
seen no more.
As the sun sank, the relief guard came
up the after hatchway, and the relieved
guard prepared to superintend the de-
scent OF the convicts. At this moment
Sylvia missed her ball. which. taking
advantage Of sudden lurch Of the yes
sci. hoped over the barricade. and roll
ed to the feet Of Rufus Dawes.
The bright spot Of color rolling across
the white deck caught his eye; stoop-
ing mechanically, he picked up the ball
and stepped forward to return IT, The
door Of the barricade was open, and the
sentry did not notice the prisoner pass
through It. In another instant he was
on the sacred quarter deck.
Heated with the game her cheeks
aglow. her eyes sparkling. her golden
hair afoat, Sylvia had turned to leap
after her plaything. but even as she
turned, from under the shadow of the
cuddy glided a round white arm; and
shapely hand caught the child by the
sash and drew her back. The next mo-
ment the young man In gray had placed
the toy In her hand.
Maurice Frere. descending the lad
der, had not witnessed this little incl
dent; on reaching the deck, he saw only
the unexplained presence Of the convict
uniform.
THANK you" said voice, as Rufus
Dawes stopped before the pouting Syl-
via.
The convict raised his eyes and saw
a young girl Of eighteen or nineteen
years Of age, tall and well developed.
who, dressed in loosesleeved robe Of
some white material, was standing in
the doorway. She had black hair, coiled
around narrow and fat head small
foot, white skin, well-shaped hands, and
large, brown eyes; and as she smiled at
him her scarlet lips showed her white.
even teeth.
He knew her at once. She was Sarah
Purfoy, Mrs. Vicker's maid, but he new
er had been so close to her before: and
1t seemed to him that he was in the pres
ence of some strange tropical flower.
which exhaled a heavy and intoxicating
perfume.
Rufus Dawes was seized from behind
by his collar and flung with a shock
upon the deck. Leaping to his feet. his
first Impulse was to rush upon his as
sailant, but he saw the ready bayonet
of the sentry CLEAN, and he checked him
self with an effort. for his assailant was
Mr.. Maurice Frere.
What do you here?" asked that gen
tleman. 'You lazy, skulking hound.
what brings you here? II catch Won
putting your foot on the quarter deck
again I'll give you a week In irons"
Rufus Dawes, pale with rage and
modification, opened his mouth to JUS
tify himself, but he allowed the words to
die on his lips. What was the use?
Go down below, and remember what
I've told you" cried Frere; and compre-
bending at once what had occurred. he
made mental minute of the name of the
defaulting sentry.
The convict, wlping the blood from
his face, turned on his heel without
word, and went back through the strong
oak door into his den. Frere leaned for
ward and took the girls shapely hand
with an easy gesture, but she drew it
away. with fash of her black eyes.
"You cowardw she said.
The stolid soldier close behind them
heard ii and his eye twinkled. Frere
bit his thick lips with modification. as
he followed the girl into the cuddy.
Sarah Purfoy, however. taking the as
tonished Sylvia by the hand. glided into
her mistress cabin with a scornful laugh
and shut the door behind her.