The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-07-06
Out Of the
Prison Ship
BY ELlNOR MARSH

man left his club in London and, aft
er walking a few blocks, turned into
one of the parks. While on the pave
ment he heard a football sound dis
inctly behind him, but on reaching the
soft ground it was no longer audible.
Presently, however, he heard himself
called.
! Captain Arbucklep
Turning, by one of the oil lamps in
use in those days he saw pale faced
man with white hair.
What would you with me, sir, at
this time of night2" said the captain,
laying his hand on his sword.
"You do not recognize me, captain.
1t is not surprising. | am not the man
| was when you were In America. Sew
en- or eight years only have been added
to my age, but several times that have
been added to my likeness to an old
man. will refresh your memory. Cen
eral Howe's army occupied New York.
Down on the bank of the Hudson river
was cottage where dwelt girl nam
ed Mary Ashurst. You made love to
this girl, but one Henry Waterman
stood In your way. You accused him Of
being a spy, and through your instru-
mentality he was put on board pris-
on ship.
Everybody knows what your prison
ships were. They took in men and
sent them out either corpses or wrecks.
came out what you see me-"
"Well, my man, what have we to do
now with that which has passed into
history? Your people succeeded in your
Infamous rebellion. That is all settled,
and If British officer admired Yam
love- and In my dealings with you
and her thee was both war and love"
"You are right, captain, In saying
that we achieved our independence
That is indeed settled. But our affair
remains to be settled. When ! got
out of the prison ship was more like
dead than a live man. Before ] re-
covered my strength your army sur
rendered to our general at Yorktown
and before l could reach you you had
gone back to England. | counted the
days till / should be able to follow
you. l am here"
With that the American drew his
sword.
This is not usual proceeding But
mn Englishman, especially an English
officer, does not pretend to choose the
place or time of fighting. He is al
ways ready, and If mayhap he has
offended and the injured party can
give him punishment he Is always
ready to take his medicine like man."
While the speaker was saying this
he was drawing his sword and placing
himself In position for defense.
A few minutes later the watch. hear
ing the clash of steel, ran in the direc-
ton of the sound, arriving In time only
to see Captain Arbuckle lying on the
ground and a man bending over him.
Arbuckle, who was dying, said with
his last breath
"You've finished me. The girl Is in.
nOcent."
When the watch came up Arbuckle
added to him:
at was private affair between two
gentlemen"
A couple of months after this Henry
Waterman, who had recently embark
ed from ship that had sailed into
New York bay and docked in the East
river, entered Broadway from Wall
street and, passing through Trinity
churchyard, continued down the slope
to the river bank The spring was
coming on, and the trees In the yards
of the houses were putting forth their
young leaves. Waterman opened a
gate, entered yard and, walking up
to the house, took the brass knocker In
his fingers and raped gently. A young
woman came to the door and on seeing
the visitor started back with a cry.
Harry! Why have you Gomez
because l know that you are inno-
cent"
"You would not believe me-"
"Forgive me"
She fell into his arms and burst into
passion of tears. Presently she look
ed up and asked:
"How have you become convinced
OF my innocencew
~ was told by the man who put me
out OF his way to win you"
"Where have you been"
ITO London"
"And you have seen him"
"I have"
"Why?"
"He put me in prison ship on a
false charge"
"And you have-have punished himY'
"I have. With his last breath he ex-
onerated you"
She unwound her arms from about
him.
"You blame me? You loved him."
"Yes, no. There is blood on your
hands,"
"Whose blood2 The man who wreck.
ed me to win you"
He took her again In his arms, and
she did not resist.
"These British aristocrats are con