Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-02-23
CHAPTER xv1I.-(continued.,

Spy the bye" said Vickers, II sup
pose we shall have to get that fellow up
for the trial. We have to identify the
villains"
Cant you and l do that?" asked
Frere, uneasiy.
az am afraid not. I wouldn't like to
swear to a man after five years"
1--WE had better get up few prisoners
who were Mt the harbor ut the time"
said Vickers, 81 wouldn't let the villains
slip through my fingers for anything"
And are the men at Port Arthur old
mem" asked Meekin
"Old convicts," returned Yickers. '1t's
our place for 'colonial-sentence' men.
The worst we have are there. 1t has
taken the place of Macquarie Harbor.
What excitement there will be among
them when the schooner goes down on
Monday! Most Of the prisoners are
lfers, you see, and trip to Hobart
Town is like a holiday to them"
"And do they never leave the place
when sentenced for life?' said Meekin.
''How distressingw
"Neyer, except when they die" said
Frerc, with a laugh; ''and then they are
buried on the island. Oh it's fine
place! You should come down with me
and have look at it, Mr.. Meekin. Pic
turesque, | can assure you"
"Ay dear Maurice" says Sylvia, going
20 the piano, as if in protest to the turn
the conversation was taking, ''how can
You talk like that?"
al should much like to see it," said
Meekin.
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
zig to do. Just the place for you. There's
q regular little colony here. All the
scandals in Van Dieman's Land are
Aatched at Port Arthur"
This agreeable chatter about scandal
and climate seemed a strange contrast
20 the graveyard island and the men
who were prisoners for life. Perhaps
Sylvia thought So for she struck few
chords, which, compelling the party out
81 sheer politeness, to cease talking for
moment caused the conversation to
dag, and limited to Mr.. Meckin that it
was time for him to depart
Sylvia burst into laughter as the door
closed. What ridiculous creu t,rew
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
gather have old Mr.. Bowes, papa, though
ne is as blind as a beetle"
MY dear Sylvia" said Vickers, seri-
ously, "AIr. Meekin is Il clergyman, you
know"
ooh, | know" said Sylvia; "but then,
a clergyman can talk like a man, can't
ne? Why do they send such people
here? l 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 so into the kitchen.
May he dear?"
you'll have the house full of these
vagabonds. You little puss," said Vickcrs,
kissing her 81 suppose | must let him
stay
Maurice, YOU are 4 great bear, and
H you hadn't saved my life, you know.
l shouldn't love you a bit. There, you
may kiss me" Cher voice grew softer.
This convict business has brought it
all back, and | should be ungrateful if
I didn't love you. dear"
Maurice Frere, with suddenly Grim
soned face, accepted the proffered caress,
and then turned away to the window.
~ am not half good enough for YOU"
nc cried, with sudden vehemenCe.
"It's my happiness that you've got
so think Of Captain Bruin," said the
girl. you've saved my life haven't
you? and | should be wicked if | didn't
love you! No, no more KISSES" she add
Sd. putting out her hand. Come, papa,
it's cool now; let's walk in the garden,
and leave Maurice to think of his own
unworthineSs."
Maurice watched the retreating pair
with Il puzzled expression. "She always
Geaves me for her father" he said to
himself. II wonder if she really loves
ME- or if it's only gratitude. after ala"
lie had often asked himself the same
question during the five years of his
wooing. but he had never satisfactorily
answered it.