Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-07-20
for The Term of His Natural Life
e MARCJs CLARkR
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OHAPrER xvu.--fCoptinued.,


"By the bye" said Vickers, Il sup
pose we shall have to get that fellow up
for the trial. We have to identify the
Villains"
Cant you and 1 do thatT' asked
Frere, uneasily.
Il am afraid not. l wouldn't like to
swear to a man after FIVE years"
We had better get up few prisoners
who were at the harbor at the time"
snid Vickers, II wouldn't let the villains
slip through my fingers for anything"
"And are the men at Port Arthur old
menT asked Meekin.
"Old convicts," returned Vickers. "It's
our place for acknowledgements 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
hfsrs, you see, and trip to Hobart
Town is like a holiday to them"
"And do they never leave the place
when sentenced for lifeT' said Meekin.
How distresslngr'
"Never, except when they die" said
Frere, 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 1t, Mr.. Meekin. Pic
turesQue. l can assure you"
My dear Maurice" says Sylvia, going
to the piano, as If in protest to the turn
the conversation was taking, chow can
you talk like thatT
II should much like to see It." said
MOekin.
The convict-servvant, who had entered
with some oflcial paper for the major,
stared at the dainty clergyman, and
rough Maurice laughed again. "Oh, it's
a stunning climate" he cried land 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
to 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
Of sheer politenesS, to cease talking for
a moment, caused the conversation to
nag, and limited to Mr.. Meekin that it
was time for him to depart.
Sylvia burst into laughter as the door
said she. "Bless the man, with his
gloves and his umbrella, and his hair
and his scent! Fancy that mincing moo
ole showing me the way to heavenl I'd
rather have old Mr.. Bowes, papa, though
he Is as blind as a beetle"
My dear Sylvia" said Vickers, seri-
ousiy, Mr.. Meekin 10 a clergyman, you
know"
'oh, l know" said Sylvia; ''but then,
clergyman can talk like a man, can't
hS3 Why do they send such people
hOra3 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 have the house full of these
vagabonds, you little puss," said Vickers,
kissing her. 81 suppose l must let him
stay"
Maurice, you are a great bear, and
Il you hadn't saved my life, you know.
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
didn't love you, dear"
Maurice Frere, with suddenly Grim
soned face, accepted the proffered caress,
and then turned away to the window.
Il am not half good enough for YOU"
he cried, with sudden vehemence.
TITS my happiness that you've got
to 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
ed, 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 a puzzled expression. "She always
leaves me for her father" he said to
himself. II wonder If she really loves
me. or II It's only gratitude, after allP"
He had often asked himself the same
question during the Ave years Of his
wOolng. but he had never satisfactorily
answered 1t.