Year: 1873

ed.


"And besides. we are so very rich,
too - said he. bursting out laughing =
"Look at my purse, and gold louis dor
all my worldly wealth.


e began to laugh too.


"Yes, dear, l have spent my last half
crown. gave it to the fellow who car
ried our trunks on board"


"Ah. poor" cried she, "what matters
it , Nobody so merry as those that have
nothing at all besides lave my two
diamond rings that my mother gave me !;
they are good for something all the world
over We can sell them when you like,
and besides, am sure that the captain
meant kindly by Us. and l suspect he
knows very well what is in the letter.
1t is a recommendation to the Governor
of Cayenne.


perhaps so who knows


To be sure it is, continued the charm
ing little wife. "You are so good ] am
sure the government has banished you
only for short time l know they have
no feeling against you"


at was high time that the light should
be stricken out, and now raped o.: the
deck aud called them to DO 40.


They instantly Obeyed and l heard
them aushing and chattering Ike two
innocent schoolfellows.


One morning when l awoke l WAS sur
prised not to feel the slightest motion of
the vessel. Hurrying on deck. l found
tha: We were becalmed. Latitude, one
degree north, longitude, between twenty
seven and twenty eight degrees west


waited until night, when | descend
ed to my cabin and opened the letter,
with dull, awful feeling. l held my
breath while broke the big red seal,
and read


Captain Fontainbleau The convict
Antoine Hindsclear stands convicted Of
higa treason against the Republic. The
directory order that he be shot in mid
ocean, and you are hereby instructed to
see that these orders are caaricl into
effect


l read the letter backward and for
ward. l went on deck. There they
were, she looking upon the ocean, and he
gazing upon her with an expression Of
unutterable fondness. Catching his eye
| signed for him to come into the cabin
and. bidding her good bye, he came down
his face all smiles.


/ was bathed in cold sweat I felt
as if deadly sick, handed him the letter
and he read it. together with the death
warrant, which was drawn up in due
form and attached. l gathered voice as
he finished.


He colored slightly and bowed.


Il ask nothing, captain" he said, in
the came gentle voice that always char
acterized his speech, "no man can be ex-
pected to swerve from his duty. only
wish to speak few words to Laurette,
and to entrcat you to take care of her if
che survives-I hardly think she WILL


"All that is fair, my good fellow" l
cried. "If you request it l will carry her
back to France, to her family. l will
never leave her until she wishes to be
rid of me, but do not think she will
survive it.


He took my hand and pressed tt.


Most kind captain, l see you suffer
more in this business than | do but there
is no help for it. / trust you will pre-
serve what little property of mine is left,
for her sake, and that you Sill take care
she gets what her poor old mother may
leave her l put her life, her honor in
your hands. She is" land how fondly
low his voice becamel "a delicate little
creature, her chest is often affected she
must keep it warm ; and if she could
keep the two diamond rings her mother
gave her / should be glad but, of course
if money is needed they must go. My
poor Laurette, how pretty she looks"


1t was getting too much for me, and |
began to knit my brows


'One word is as good as thousand
I said ave understand each other. Go
to her."


| squeezed his hand, he looked wist-
fully at me, and l added "Stay a mo-
ment, let me give you word of advice
Don't say word to her be easy that
is my business 1t shall be managed in
the best manner"


"Ah T. said he, Il did not understand,
yes, much better. Besides this leave
taking this leave taking !"


"Yes," said l, "dont behave like a
cbild-much better. No leave-taking if
you can help it, or you are lost


l kept my seat. l saw them walking
arm in arm upon the deck for about half
an hour.


/ called the mate to me, and when he
had read the letter, said


"Garley, that is bad business-bad
business. | put it in your hands. i
obey the orders, but remain in the cabin
until it is over"


''How do you wish the thing done p