Show yuie TUE instructions ahad I 1 had served twenty five years on board an east Ind indiaman India laman man mau and for the last ten years had commanded the belle beile one of the finest crafts that ever floated I 1 was an old sea dog and had dwelt so long on salt water that I 1 felt almost a hatred for the land on the loth of october 1824 1 received orders to put myself in readiness to sail for cayenne I 1 was to transport seventy five soldiers and a convict I 1 had bad orders r to treat this individual well and the letter I 1 had bad received from the directory another with a huge red seal which I 1 was not to open until between 27 and 28 degrees west longitude that is just before we were about to cross the line the letter was a long packet so well closed on every side that thab it was impossible to catch the slightest glimpse of its contents I 1 am not naturally superstitious ious but there was something in the look of that letter that I 1 did not altogether like though I 1 could give no reason why however I 1 carried it into the cabin and stuck it under the glass of a little shabby english Engli clock elock which was fastened alve arve above my head I 1 was busy fixing the letter under the clock when who should come into my cabin but the convict and his wife this was the first time I 1 had seen either of them and I 1 may say that a more prepossessing couple I 1 never met the woman was scarcely more than fifteen and as handsome as a picture while thet theo husband was an intelligent magnificently form ed man on whose features nature had never written I 1 villain I 1 his crime to be plain was the misfortune of beling a hundred years ahead of his abe age he and others had attempted something which our government called treason and which is punished with death it therefore occasioned me considerable wonder that he should be placed under my charge but more of this afterward he had as I 1 said his wife wire hanging on his arm she was as merry as a bird she looked like a turtle dove cooing and and nestling beneath ills his great wing before a month had bad passed over our beads hooked upon them as my nay own children every morn I 1 used to call them into my nay own cabin the young fellow would sit writing at my table that is to say at my chest which was my table he would often help me at reckoning and soon learned to do better than I 1 could I 1 was amazed at his abil ity his young wife would sit upon one of the the round stools in my cabin working at her needle one day we were all three sitting in this way when I 1 said do you know my young ones as it seems to me we make wake a very pretty family picture 2 mind I 1 dont mean to ask questions but may be you have not much money to spare and you are both of you as I 1 think too handsome to dig in the burning sun of cayenne like many a poor wretch before you I 1 its ts a bad country a bad country take my word for it I 1 who have roughed it through tempest and sunshine till ive the skin ora ofa of a r rhinoceros mi along there but you I 1 am afraid so if you should chance to have a bit of foolish friendship for your poor old ca captain p ill tell you what ill do ill get rid of this old brig ashes not mu mush h better than an old tub after all so ill settle myself down there with you if you like you see I 1 have llave not a living soul sout in the world to care for or that cares for me I 1 want relations I 1 want a home I 1 want a family J X should like to make mase my home with you my ma pretty young I 1 ones what say aay ye they said nothing at all but sat looking first at each other and then at me as if they doubted whether they understood what I 1 said at last the little bird threw lier her arms around my neck and cried like a baby iiii But said she suddenly pausing you looked at the letter with the big red seal hang hand ae lef i i I 1 exclaimed it ra ead had d slipped p ed my mind ml nd en entirely fc with a cold dreadful sensation I 1 went to my chese chest to fosee see where we were I 1 found that we had several days remain ing ng before we should reach the proper longitude for opening the letter well there we stood all three of us loock inu ing up at the letter as I 1 ifft it could have spoken to us As it happened the sun was shining full upon the face of the clock case and fell upon the great glaring red seal of the letter I 1 could not help fancying something like a big monster an ogre face grinning from the middle of the fire it looked horrid could not one fancy said ito make them laugh its great big eyes were staring out of its head ah my love said the wife it loo Is s like ilke lifeblood blood 11 4 pooh pooh said her husband taking in g her arm under his it looks loohs like a letter of invitation to a wedding come come leave the letter alone if it troubles you so let a s go to our room and prepare for bed and off they went they went upon deck and left me with that beast of a letter I 1 remembered that I 1 kept looking I 1 ng at it as I 1 smoked my pipe it seemed to fix its great red eye upon mine fascinating cina ting like ilke the eye of a serpent it was red wide raw vr staring like the maw of a fierce wolf I 1 I 1 took my great coat and hung it over both clock and letter and went upon deck to finish my pipe we were now in the vicinity of cape de verde islands and the bette sells yas was running before a fair wind at the tile rate of ten miles an hour it was a splendid tropical ro night the stars large and shining the moon rising above the tiie horizon as large as a sun of silver the line of ocean parting it and long streams of bare shimmering light falling upon the waves yaves which althey as they broke sparkled like ilke jewels I 1 sat upon the deek deck smoking my pipe and looking at them all was still except the footfall of the officer of the watch as he paced the deck gazin gas I 1 was was upon the shadow of the vessel stealing over the silent water I 1 love silence and order I 1 hate noise and aud confusion the lights should all have been extinguished by this time I 1 but cheni looked upon the deck I 1 thought I 1 saw a little red line of light beneath my feet at another time and place this would have made me angry but knowing that the I 1 light ight came irom from the cabin of my little deporte de portes 31 determined to see what they were about I 1 had only to look down I 1 could see into the cabin from the skylight the young girl was upon her knees she was saying her prayers A lamp swung from the ceiling lighted her room she had on a long white nightdress night dress and her fair golden hair floated over her shoulders and almost touched tou elied clied two little bare feet which were peeping from under her white dress so pretty I 1 turned away but pshaw bald baid I 1 I 1 am an old sailor what matters it so I 1 stayed the husband was sitting upon a little trunk his head resting upon his hands looking at her as she prayed she raised i her face to heaven and then I 1 sa saw paw w that her eyes were filled with tears she looked like a magdalene As she rose he said I 1 ali ah my sweet laurette as we approach america I 1 cannot help heip baingan being anxious I 1 do not know why but I 1 feel that this voyage has been the happiest part of our lives tl so it seems to me she answered 11 1 I only wish it might last forever 11 suddenly clasping k ills his hands iu in a transport of love and affection he said 11 and yet my little angel I 1 see seo you cry when you say your prayers and that I 1 cannot stand for I 1 know what causes it and then I 1 fear you must repent what you have done t repent she said in a sad rebuking to tone ne repent of having come with you do you think because I 1 have been yours only such a very very short time ilme that I 1 should not love you was I 1 n not ot your wife how can you be sorry that I 1 should be with you to live livo with you if you live and to die with you if you are to die the young man began to sigh striking the floor impatiently with llis lils feet while lie he kissed repeatedly the little hand and arm which she was holding out A all ail ali ah Lau iau laurette rettel aurette laurette JL I 1 when I 1 think if our marriage had been delayed only five days only five nive days that then I 1 should have been arrested and transported alone I 1 cannot forgive myself gat jat this the little one stretched out her round white arms clasped his head pre pressed ased his forehead his hla hair his eyes smiling like a cherub and murmuring allport all nil sort sorts of womans comans fond things I 1 was quite affected and considered it one odthe of the prettiest scenes I 1 had ever witnessed and besides we are so very rich rieb ric rie htoo too said she bursting out laughing look at my purse one ono gold lous dor all my worldly wealth he began to laugh too yes dear I 1 have hv e spent my nay last half crown it I 1 gave it to the fellow who carried our t trunks on board ail ali all ah poor cried she what matters it nobody so poor as those who have nothing at all besides I 1 have my two diamond rings that my mother gave n me e they hey are good for something all the the wor world id over we can sel sei se 1 them thern when you yot like and besides I 1 am sure the capt captain attl atti ll 11 meant kindly by us and I 1 suspect ile file lib knows very well what is in the let iet letter ietter t 61 it isa asa is a recommendation to the governor of cayenne perhaps so who knows to be basure sure hure it is continued the charming little wife you are so good I 1 am sure the government has banished you only for a short time I 1 know that they thes havo have no feeling against you high time that the light should bl be e stricken out and now I 1 rapped on en the deck and called them to do so they instantly obeyed and I 1 heird them laughing and ad chattering like two innone innocent nt schoolfellow schoolfellows school fellows rellow s one morning when I 1 awoke I 1 was sur surn N not to feel the slightest motion of tile the vessel hurrying hurry nurry ing on dee dec I 1 found that we were becalmed latitude one degree north longitude between awen t ty seven and twenty eight degrees west T waited until night when I 1 descended to ay my cabin and opened the letter ietter with a dull awful feeling I 1 held my breath white while I 1 broke broko the big red seal and read capt fontainebleau Fontain bleau the convict antoine Hinds clear stands convicted or of high treason against the republic the directory order that he lle be allot shot in mid ocean I 1 anti ancl you are hereby instructed to see that these orders are carried into effect 11 I 1 read the letter backward and forward ident ch deck deek there they were she looking upon the ocean and ho he gazing upon her with an expression of unutterable fondness catching his eye I 1 sign ed adfor foi him to come into the cabin and bidding her goodbye good bye he came camo down his face all smiles I 1 was bathed in a cold sweat I 1 felt aa if deadly sick I 1 handed him the letter and he read it together with the dea death t h warrant which was drawn up in due forn norn rand fand attached I 1 gathered voice as lle lie finished a he colored slightly and bowed B 1 I ask nothing eart caRt captain cartain aln ain lie he said in lri the same gentle voice that always characterized his speech no man can be expected to swerve from his duty 1 I only wish to speak a few words to laurette and to entreat you to take care of her hei jr if she survives 1 I hardly think sh she e will all ail ali ail 0 All AlI thatis fair my good fellow I 1 C cried 1 d if you request it I 1 will e carry arry h ze er f back ba ck to france to her family I 1 will neven nevert leave her until bhe she wishes to be rid of me but I 1 do not think she will survive it he took my hand and pressed it most kind captain I 1 see you suffer more in this business than I 1 do but there is ih no help for it I 1 trust you yon will preserve what little property of mine 1 is left for her sake bale and that you will take care that she gets what her poor old mother may leave her I 1 put her life her honor in your hands bands she is and how fondly low his voice became a delicate little creature her chest is often affected she must keep it war warm M and if she could keep the two diamond diamond rings her mother gave her I 1 should be glad but of course if money is needed they must laust go my aly poor laurette how pretty she looks i I 1 it ikas ivas was getting too much for me and I 1 b be beanato e anto 1 1 ti io knit my brows one wordis word is as good as a thousand di ll 11 I 1 said we understand each other go to her herr his hand he looked wistfully at me and I 1 added stay a mo ment let me give you a word of advice dont daiil t say a word to her be easy that is my nay business it shall be managed in ahn uhl ah said lie he 1 I did not understand yes much better beside takings this leave tak taking tabing 11 49 yes said I 1 dont behave like a child gilld much better no leave taking if you can help it or you are lost inept 11 kept my seat I 1 saw them walking walk ing arm ili in arm upon ahe the deck for about half an hour I 1 called the mate to me and whet rhe had read the letter I 1 said garley that ja is bad business bad business I 1 put it in your jour hands bands 1 I obey their orders but remain in the cabin until it is over how do you wish the thing done he asked in a nonchalant manner take him in a boat out of sight do it as quick as pos possible dont say anything of this till the time comes garley sat five minutes looking at me without saying a word he was a str strange arige fellow I 1 know what to make of him he ther went out of the cabin without paying haying nying a word night came at last ai man a boat go a quarter of a mile be quick to obey a slip of daperl for it was but a slips of paper after all something in theory ry air must have urged me on I 1 I 1 uribe saw tho the young man kneel down before ms 11 Laurette durette kiss kisa her knees her feet ll 11 n I 1 cried like a madman I 1 arta part rt them part them this instant part them curse the republic curse the directory the directors I 1 quit the service curse the lawyers you may tell them if you will she was dragged into her berth and the boat rowed away in the darkness some time after a dull volley came over the sea to the vessel it was all over fool madman how I 1 paced the deck deek and cursed myself all night long I 1 paced back and forth and all night long leng I 1 heard the moaning 10 of the poor sk lehen icken bird often I 1 halted and was tempted to throw myself into the sea I 1 and so end this horrid torture of brain and heart I 1 days passed eisaw I 1 saw nothing of laurette 1 would notsie not see seo her sho she avoid ed me ine and I 1 was glad of it I 1 could not bear the sight of that woe stricken face rhe the uhe mate garley how I 1 bated hated him I 1 he was as cool and unconcerned concerned ua as though lie he had no remembrance offshoot of shooting the poor wretch at Cay ennel rennei resigned my ship going to the city I 1 made li ii ali ail 11 my arrangements and took the steamer for new york I 1 placed ample ampie funds in the hands of a trusty friend and told him to send laurette to me at the end of six months I 1 could not see her until her grief had lost its edge weary sick and careless of my life ilfe I 1 wandered off into new york state and finally bought a little place where I 1 hoped I 1 should lie down and die I 1 sent for laurette poor bird 1 I must see her I 1 could wait no longer one summer night I 1 sat sai in the porch of my house smoking my pipe and und gazing down the road soon the rumbling of wheels was heard and the stage halted baited the next moment a pair of soft arms were round my neck and the head of my sobbing laurette LaUr ette elte was on my bosom 11 oh I 1 you dear escel excel excellent leht captain y I 1 heavens who whoa is that behina behind you thero there stood the manly form of antoine Hinds clear the convict what does this |