Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-07-14
for The Term of Ills Natural Life
CHAPTER xvII.-CConunued.,

by the bye" said Nickers, Il sup
pose we shall have to get that fellow NJ
for the trial. We nave to identify the
!, villains
Cant you and l do that?" asked
Frere. uneasily.
81 am afraid not. | wouldn't like to
swear to a man after FIVE years.
1--WE had better get up a few prisoners
who were nj the harbor at the time. -
Il said Nickers, 81 wouldn't let the villains
slip through my fingers for anything
And are the men at Port Arthur old
|, menT Y asked Meekin.
"Old convicts," returned Vickers. "It's
our place for 'colonial-sentence' men.
: The worst we have are there. 1t has
: taken the place of Macquarie Harbor.
I, What excitement there will be among
!. them when the schooner goes down on
Monday! Most of the prisoners are
i Ifers, you see, and n trip to Hobart
!, Town is like a holiday to them"
And do they never leave the place
|, when sentenced for life?" said Meekin.
; How distressing"
l Never, except when they die said
Frere. with n laugh: "and then they are
. buried on the island. Oh. it's a fine
place! You should come down with me
and have a look MT it. Mr.. Meekin. Pic
turesque. | can assure you"
My dear Maurice" says Sylvia. going
, to the piano, as if in protest to the turn
|, the conversation was taking, 'how can
|, you talk like that?"
/. Il should much like to see It." said
) Meekin.
I, The convict-servvant, who had entered
= with some official paper for the major,
stared at the dainty clergyman. and
rough Maurice laughed again. ooh. it's
, a stunning climate" he cried: "and moth
! ing to do. just the place for you. There's
a regular little colony here. All the
scandals in Van Dieman's Land are
Matched at Port Arthur"
This agreeable chatter about scandal
and climate seemed a strange contrast
10 the graveyard island and the men
who were prisoners for life. Perhaps
Sylvia thought so. for she struck a few
chords, which, compelling the party. out
OF sheer politeaess, to cease talking for
n moment caused the conversation to
flag. and hinteI to Mr.. Meekin that it
was time for him to depart.
Sylvia burst into laughter ms the door
closed. "Wha "A ridiculous creature"
said she. BLESS the man. with his
gloves and his umbrella. and his hair
and his scent, Fancy that mincing moo
die showing me the way to heaven. I'd
have old Mr.. Bowes. papa, though
he is as blind as a beetle
My dear Sylvia" said Vickers, seri-
ously. MIR, Meekin is a clergyman. you
know
"Oh, | know" said Sylvia: "but then.
a clergyman can talk like a man, can't
hef Why do they send such people
hereF | am sure they could do much
better at home. Oh. by the way. papa.
dear. poor old Danny's come back again.
! told him he might go into the kitchen.
May he, dear?"
You'll - the house full of these
you little puss." said Vickers,
her. II suppose | must let him
Maurice. You are a great bear. and
II you hadn't saved my life, you know.
l shouldn't love you a bit. There. you
may kiss me" tSer voice grew ~softer).
This convict business has brought it
all back, and l should be ungrateful if
| didn't love you. dear"
Maurice Frere, with suddenly GRIM
1soned face, accepted the proffered caress.
and h turned away to the window.
~ am not half good enough for you"
ne cried, with sudden vehemence.
{ It's my happiness that you've got
60 think of. Captain Bruin,' said the
girl. You've saved my life, haven't
you? and l should be wicked if I didn't
owe you! No. no more kisses" she add-
I'd, putting out her hand. Come. papa,
ats cool now; let's walk in the garden,
md leave Maurice to think of his own
hnworthiness."
Maurice watched the retreating pair
With a puzzled expression. "She always
caves me for her father" he said to
himself. 81 wonder if she really loves
ne, or if It's only gratitude. after alp"
He had often asked himself the same
question during the five years of his
'Tooing. but he had never satisfactorily
answered it.