Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-08-13
Ropars put his hand upon the head of his poor

-
charge"
What do you meant" asked Genevieve
stopping her tears, and raj sing her now anxiou.
eyes towards him.
Don't you understand ~ replied the keeper
in a lower tone "the fever's blast is like the
sea's-it spares no one, and at any moment may
send the living to join the dead -
80 God our Savior is this warning !" ask
ed Genevieve, clasping her hands. "Can the
child be struck Have you remarked anythingl
All tell me the truth Mathew; tell it at once
l had rather be killed by one blow ~
"The child has no other i'll bat her grief" said
Ropars but if she stays in this air of death, who
can promise us that she shall escape ~
"Woe to us - cried Genevieve, raising her
clasped hands above her head. 'Why did moi
you tell me wish not to think of it; now
shall see her die every hour. God forgive you
for SO stirring the knife already in my heart ~
aft touch it, it is only to draw it out" OBJ.
served the quarter.master. "This is no time to
shut the eyes and let the squall come, but to
work the ship to save our darling. If she re-
mains on the isle, You have but too much chance
of making her winding. sheet, Genevieye she
must go directly"
"But how what way is there 7"
Ropars looked round hum, to be sure that no.
body heard him.
"There is one" replied he, cautiously.
"The magazine-boat
NO
The pinnscer
'You know she lies there to watch the ISLE
Then what can help US =
The tide
Genevieve looked at her husband, without un.
Outstanding him.
1t is now the spring-tide,' resumed Mathew;
'in less than an hour the sea will have ebbed
enough to leave but four feet of water over the
line of reefs which run from Treberon to the Isle
of Graves. With stout heart and Gods help,
a man may risk the crossing. l will carry the
child to Dorot.
And as the mother could not restrain an ex.
clamation of terror, he added quickly
Not so loud, unhappy woman do you wish
to betray me? Except the magazine keeper
and myself, nobody knows of this sea-road; we
have often taken it when we were fishing togeth-
er, and always got in safe
But not in the night, interrupted Genevieve;
mot carrying child
The child is hardly any weight, and the moon
emily. Besides, ! have been thinking over the
matter all the evening, there is no other way
1 have made up my mind; and will do what
ought, whatever happens. Your words may
weaken my confidence, bit they cannot keep
me back. Then try rather to keep up my spir-
its as is the duty of a good wife, and get every
thing ready for the child. When the last point
of the great rock is bare, it will be time for me
to attempt the passage, and for you to pray God
to open us safe crossing thro' the sea-.
The boatswains tone was so determined that
Geneiveve saw the uselessness of all opposition.
In the ordinary acts of life, Mathew had no
will of his OWL, land formed determination rare
ly; but when he had done SO, and once declared
it he mant aimed it mistaken. Besides, when
the first shock was over, his explanations and
assurances somewhat Gained Francine s mother,
L. Ial ia half ino haP
there was still the child, and Ropars dreaded her
opposition or her fright. Genevieye fetched her
and the father and mother seated her on their
knees together.
You want to see the cherry-tree blossom,
don't you : said the latter, kissing her.
The little girl hung her head
Not now, replied she, in very low tone.
But this is the very time, added her poor
mother, with an effort; down there you will
have more liberty. You will be happier; you
will have Michael to play with
NO. said the child, in broken voice; Il had
rather stay with Jeanette
Genevieve clasped her hands, closed her eyes,
and her voice failed her 1t was Ropars' turn.
He drew F'rancine to his heart, and whispered
Listen to me; we are in trouble. You would
not give us more, would you You love us too
much for that.
Instead of answering, the child threw both
her arms round her fathers neck, al pressed
her little rosy cheek against the sailor wrinkled
face.
Yes, yes; was sure of it, continued Math-
ew. Then you will do everything we ask
youl'
The child agreed
Well continued Ropars, you must 60 and
stay few days with Uncle Dorot. and, as we
have 10 boat must carry you across the chan
nell You will be still when you are in the mid
die of the sea, if you have your fathers shout
ders for boat, won't you =
The child shuddered.
Il would rather stay here said she hastily.
That's impossible, replied her father. Il
must carry you to the powder-magazine; it
must be so, and we must go directly. But if
you are not brave, If you scream; the way Will
be more difficult, and perhaps some harm will
come to me. Do you understand me p
Yes, Yes, will not CO. replied the little girl
who was now beginning to tiemble with fear.
Geneveve took her again into her arms.
Hush hush srid she, pressing her lips up
on her head, and rocking her az ainst her heart.
Children must obey,-God says so. Do what
you are told-for your father-for me-for Jean
nette If she could speak she would tell you
to be good and brave Do you wish to make
her unhappy in heaven q
oh, no " cried the child, throwing herself in
to Mathews arms.
Then you mean to come said he.
Yes whispered the little girl.
And you won't be frightened, nor speak
word p
No
Come along then said the keeper, who had
risen and looked over the parapet The great
rock is bare-we have no time to lose.
He took Francine in his arms, and went quick
" down one of the paths leading to the beach.
Ganevieve followed in unutterable grief.
They all three reached the rocky point, witch
long way into the waves. 1t was
the end of line of reefs which connected the
and TreberOn.
Ropars put the child on the ground while he
made out his course. BY the light OF the moon,
the channel looked pal e-green hue, streaked
with little white lines, formed by the waves
lightly crested with foam. Their fluctuations
were so gentle, tina: you might have fancied it
a green corn-feld chequred with ox-eyed daisies
Beyond lay visible in the moonlight the whole
of the Isle of Graves, with its yellow buildings,
its long slated roofs, and its lightning conduct
ors piercing the clouds. So calm was the night,
that the step of the sentry before the stone
Matchbox in the corner of the esplanade, could
be heard Between the isles, and a little in the
shadow, the pinnace was silently lying on its
two anchors.
Ropars scrutinizing everything strictly; he
showed Genevieve II e course Of the road under
water, marked by slightly deeper tinge ON the
surface of the sea threw off his coat and hat :;
then taking both his wife's hands, as she look
ed at him distractedy, he said:
The time is come, Genevieve; kiss me, and
pray God of his mercy to be with u.s.
The poor woman at first returned his embrace,
with out being able TO say word But when
she felt him letting go her hands, and turning
towards the child, who was few steps off, she
gave SHREK she ost her self-contrOl, she for
got all that Mathew had said TO her, all she had
promised him, and threw her armes round him
in dispair and terror.
You shall not CO. stammered she, you shall
not go 1T is going to death BY your mar.
riage-vow, stay with me-be my succor. and
share my troubles VIII you leave me alone
with ,Jeannettei Look how great ana deep