Beadle's Dime Library No. 316 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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25 session. After the first few hours he was | still silent. He saw that the effect he desired calm, and even cheerful. to produce was working. He lingered a mo- lt was the first evening on board the | ment and then slowly approached the man. Minerva frigate. In the cabin was the | Elliot instantly dropped on his knees. Count D’Oyley and General McDonald and | “ Mercy, count, mercy!” dropved harmlessly to his side. ‘I surrender myself,” he said in a tone ne that expressed in one feeling the intensest anguish he might at such a moment of dis- Lafitte’s Lieutenant. | | the father of Emma McDonald, his weapon | honor he supposed to feel. He was con- | Captain Stewart, the latter having just en- ‘‘ Wretch, dare you ask it of me?” ducted round in front of the villa a prisoner. | tered. The count was passing to and fro ‘‘Mercy! Spare my life, and I will con- In vain the count and countess pleaded for | with a restless step. The countess and Miss | fess all.” his innocence, when they learned the charge brought against him. ¥ My noble sir,” said General McDonald, ‘“‘your generosity blinds you to the facts apparent to others. There can be no doubt of the guilt of the young man. Why then his attempt to escape before he knew our in- tention! Before we reached the house?” ‘‘It was at my earnest request. He re- fused to escape at first. He suspected your urpose because Elliot swore to betray im.” ‘“‘I can do nothing, monsieur,” said Gen- eral McDonald. ‘‘I feel deeply for you and your lady.” “Will you with him?’ su ed the countess, rmit us to go to England ddenly and earnestly demand- ‘With pleasure, madame,” answered Cap- tain Stewart. ‘‘ You shall be accommodated with a state-room on board the Minerva.” The countess thanked him with gratitude. | man.” The preparations for departure were imme- diately commenced, an the count having | impressively. McDonald were in their state-room, lament- ing the fate of poor Theodore, for whom the latter no longer concealed her passion. ‘‘Captain,” said the count impressively, ‘“‘will you be so kind as to order Elliot to be re into the cabin? I think I have a way by which I can bring the truth out of him. And I feel confident you will have nothing against my young friend for the misfortunes which placed him in his Yes with Lafitte.” ‘Nothing. If this Elliot can be proved to be a liar, your friend shall go free. Per- haps Lennox, in my place, might still have an old account to settle; but of this feeling I have nothing. I have to go in the ward- room to see a sick officer and will have him sent in.” ‘Will you be present, also?” asked the count, ‘‘With pleasure. I hope you may suc- ceed. I feel great interest in this young The captain went out as he spoke. ‘‘And so do I,” said General McDonald, “There is a striking resem- written and sent some letters to New Orleans | blance to some one I know in his features about his affairs, at sunrise the whole party | and very voice, which sin In one of these was Cap- | left in the boats. tains Stewart and Lennox, and Theodore in chains; in the other General McDonald, the count and countess. It was 4 far more melancholy arrival to some of the party than the funeral procession of the evening be- fore. The sun was an hour high when they reached the brig, which soon got under way and the wind rising with the sun, she went rapidly down the river. At the close of the day she reached the Balize and an hour afterward Theodore was transferred to the Minerva, followed by the count and countess. General McDonald and his daugh- ter also came on board, accompanied by the coffin of Lord Clarence. Captain Stewart brought Elliot along with himself in the boat pe oo ft uring the passage down the river, Theo- dore had been silent and depressed. Out of deference to the countess, he was con- fined in one of the state-rooms. His spirit was consoled with the assurance that she and the count believed him innocent, and a calm serenity filled his soul at the knowledge from her own lips, that Miss McDonald also thought him so. From her, the count and countess being present, he heard the whole narrative of Elliot, and he was not surprised at the steps that had been taken. The count did not believe Elliot, though the eneral spoke of the twenty thousand dol- as of which he was to be dispossessed. To this he replied, to his a that he knew of Elliot’s proposition, for Theodore had told him of it; and that Elliot's vindictive- ness arose wholly from Thecdore’s refusal, This information, and the deep interest taken in Theodore by his two friends, led General McDonald to think that the youn man might be innocent, and the victim o Elliot’s vindictiveness. The count then re- lated to him and Captain Stewart the whole history of the matter, and of the chase by the bloodhounds. Captain Stewart was not easy to move, having once made up his mind against a man. But Gencral Me- Donald was now fully convinced of his in- nocence; and when he said so, his daughter, forgetful of the presence of others, cast her- self into his arms, and wept with grateful joy. This natural burst of feeling betrayed to all the state of her heart. General Mc- Donald frowned and looked displeased, and ordering her to her state-room, left the cabin. It was a few moments after this scene, that the order was given to leave the brig for the Minerva frigate. They had been on board but a few minutes, when both vessels filled away and stood for Havana. The situation of Theodore on board the frigate was less pleasant than in the brig. He was confined in the ward-room, and the presence of a sentry and the constant ap- pearance of officers annoyed him. All, how- ever, regarded him with interest; for, in his captivity, conscious of those he loved, he lost none of his dignity and manly self-pos- Death to him was terrible. The count was riving at Havana, in the ieboc ksvco a TEE, sissies o Cn 6000E0:°00 EEE larly endears him tome. Yet I cannot tell. You say he is no relation of yours?” ‘* No, general. His story is this: When he was about seven or eight years of age, Lafitte found him floating on what appeared to be the wreck of a British vessel-of-war. He took him off, and from that time the boy knew no other — He was with La- fitte when he fell, who warmly recommend- ed him to my care.” ‘“ What name had he?” asked General Mc- Donald. ‘‘Only Theodore.” ‘Here comes the prisoner, gentlemen,” said Captain Stewart entering, followed by Elliot in the custody of a marine, On see- ing the count the pirate turned pale and his knees trembled. The count fixed his eyes on him with great steadiness a few moments till he had the man completely under the in- fluence of his eye. He then said in a stern, deep voice: ‘ yes recognize me?” ‘“* Yes,” answered the man without raisin his eyes to encounter the keen glance o those he felt were reading his soul. CHAPTER XVII. ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELI. ‘‘] HAVE heard your story on coming on board. It has succeeded thus far admirably. Your victim is a captive, and you are to have your liberty on reaching Havana. This is 80, is it not?” sternly demanded the count. ‘‘ Yes, if these gentlemen keep their word,” annswered Elliot, stealing a glance round. ‘‘That they willdo. Otherwise I cannot have you in my power.” “You!” repeated the pirate, starting till his chains clanked and shook. ‘‘ I am not in your power again!” he exclaimed in a tone of mingled alarm and horror, ‘* After you reach Havana and betray Ri- cardo and his gang, who, remember! are to be examined separately from you in reference to your testimony against Theodore (I see that you shudder, knowing that they will, not knowing of your arrest, prove you false im every point). After you have done this service Captain Stewart will discharge you. irs ep then be free. Answer me?’ se es.”’ ‘‘I say no! From the possession of Cap- tain Stewart you pass into my power! I have given no pledge to let you go free. I have dwelt in Sosenei I know the present Governor-General, I shall seize you as a one and at once deliver you up to justice. ou know how summary that will be in Cuba. In three days after frigate your head will be stuc of the Almeda,” The count, haven spoken, turned away while the two gentlemen looked at each other with surprise. The criminal followed the count’s steps with his eye. His look was fearful and expressive of cowardly anguish. ou leave the over the gate ; ' cl — ttt ESE EE LLL ,,--,,,,- LL LL S| ‘‘ First confess,” Briefly and agitated the villain then gave a true statement of the facts as ~~ were. The general and Captain Stewart listened with astonishment. When he had ended, General McDonald and Captain Stewart rose at the same moment with the same impulse of feeling and advanced into the ward-room. In a few moments after Theodore was freed from his chains and conducted in by them. The count embraced him, and the countess threw herself into his arms and wept for joy. ‘* Emma, you shall have a kiss, too, girl,” said Seteney McDonald, leading his daugh- ter up to Theodore, who took her hand and pressed it with emotion to his lips. He was soon told to what he owed his liberation. Elliot was removed back to his prison, and as he went his eyes glared furiously upon Theodore, but instantly sunk as they met the gaze of Count D'‘Oyley. It was a happy party. ‘‘ We are all now well persuaded of your innocence, young gentleman,” said General McDonald, with feeling and courtesy; ‘‘ and we beg that you will not let the fact of your having been at one time thrown under the protection of Lafitte cast a cloud over your spirit. We are confident it was your mis- fortune, and much praise is due to you, that amid so much evil, you have preserved your- self from contamination, e would like to hear your account of your early life.” This, Theodore began to relate to them as he had already done to the count. When he said that the only recollection he had was of a mother and sister, he was asked, by Miss McDonald her name. “Grace,” he replied. ‘* My cousin!” she ated with surprise. ‘‘Hold—one word if you please)” cried General McDonald, with an eagerness and agitation that surprised all; ‘‘ when—what year was this you were found by Lafitte?” ‘*In the Spring of 1808.” ‘‘ And where? ‘* Near the African coast.” ‘* Your age then?” ** Eight.’ ‘‘Have you nothing with you you had then?” ‘‘Nothing but this brooch?” he answered showing a small gold pin in his bosom, ‘‘ Has it no work of any kind?” ‘‘A deer’s antlers engraved upon it,” he said, taking it out and handing it to him. ‘‘Now—is there a Providence above!” cried General McDonald with extraordinary emotion. ‘‘In the Spring of 1808 my deceased brother, Lord Clarence, was returning from India in the Serapis frigate with his lady, son and daughter, when she was wrecked at night, on a rock far out from the coast of Africa, and broke into many pieces. M brother was saved and his lady and chil but their son was lost. His name was Theo- dore, His sister's name was Grace. This youth when he was found was of the same age and name, and now wears a pin with the crest of the family, which was then in his possession! And more, I behold in him, what has been perplexing me, the image of “eres brother Edward!” he evidence was conclusive. There was a general exclamation of surprise and joy, Theodore was clasped to General McDon- ald’s heart, and seemingly in a dream, he clasped his cousin to his own. On ryeey, | England he was acknowledg- ed as Lord Clarence. He found his sister, and at once deeply loved her; but with dif- ferent love he regarded his cousin. Ina few months afterward they were married, and Lord and Lady Clarence were pro- nounced the handsomest and noblest couple that had been presented at court for many years. The fate of Elliot, known for his deeds of mae § by the ; of Rep KNIFE, ap- peared to be decided Upon. Nothing re- mained but for him to betray Ricardo and his crew, and accept his freedom. On ar- com (E| ooo) te