Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-08-20

Isabel tossed her qucenly head. q Oh,
they went away long ago, and the old
woman died and Lima we'll, really,
[ don't just know what has become of
her, though [ believe she is living,
somewhere-what beautiful prospect
from minence-though not to be com
pared, I suppose, to scenery you have
witnessed i'll glorious ltaly?'
And SO the subject dropped.
That was gay party which set out
from the Beach House, one pie asant
morning in May, for sail on the blue
bosom of old ocean. And among the
gaycst were Ernest Warrington and his
fair cousin Isabel, (who was visiting
her aunt.)
The party was to go to Strandmoor,
partake of lunch, and return to Ports
mouth at twilight The day was fair,
and the air calm, though light riffs of
white clouds driltcd over the sky. When
within few miles sail of their des tina
ton, brisk breeze sprang up, and dark
masses Of murky vapor appeared in the
north west. There was 4 squall coming
on, and the careful old boatm IN made
the most careful preparations to meet it.
The ladies were terrified, and the
gentleman, to tell the truth, felt not
over and above comfortable. Down
came the wind in q irs.33rIcct hurricane
/ Inc little boat quivcred and trcmblcd
and the rising waves hurried it on with
fearful speed towards the white glisten-
paled in affright-cvcn the hardy sea-
men looked at the gathering gloom with
apprchcnsivc eyes. y gust Of wind
more powerful than its predecessors,
struck the bat amidships- careened,
ana the hopeless party were prccipi
tatcd in the mad waves. There were
wild shricks for help! help! help! and
help, in an unlookeI-for shape, came.
\ boat shot out from a little rocky
cove, guided BY bold hand, and that
hand q ,c1a,an's! Brayoiy like an ami
mated thing, sped that fragile shell on
It's errand of mercy. The wild winds
roarcd, but the fair rover needed them
not. The clouds gathered, bat onward
still she came. The scene Of the wreck
was rcachcd-a dozen voices shouted
for assistance-an1 from the boatmcn
came the cry: 1t Is Caroline Of the
Strand
With much difficulty, for the waves
ran high, the female portion OF the
party were rescued and placed in the
boat; and the gentlemen, unwilling to
run the risk Of swamping the little craft,
with the exception of couple Of row
crs, who volunteered their assistance to
the young hcroinc,) swan to the shore,
which WAS not more than twenty rods
distant.
TO the cottage Of Ben Ward, her
adopted father, Coroline. invited the
rescued pleasure seekers; who with
dampencd apparel and danP2ned spirits,
gratefully accepted her invitation. Then,
after furnishing the ladies with dry
clothing from her own wardrobe, she
set before them refreshments Of which
they were greatly in need.
The captain of the . Girarlin " had
spoken we'll when he applied the cpl
thcts, :. magnificent" t. Caroline Of the
Strand, for Il moro glorious face or Il
qucenlicr form is rarely seen. Slightly
above the middle hight, her figure had
developed to exquisite symmetry i'll the
free life she had led, and her race was
such as even Isabel Hammond, with all
hcr high bred scorn OF the low ly, might
have cnyicd Her comp!exion was
clear and rich, her features faultics5.
her hair Of an amber brown, foatcd
! down her white neck in rolls Of wavy
light. Her eyes were soft hazel, wild
yet tender in their liquesccnt glory, and
her ligs-rivallcd the inner ridges of the
sea coral.
Ernest Warrington gaze was con
ccntratcd upon her; something strangely
familiar in her eyes recalled the past,
but what particular portion he could
not tell. She noticed the bcwildcrmcnt
with which he regarded her, and came
to his side.
"You are Ernest Warrington Of
Portsmouth, and yondcr lady is your
cousin, Isabel IIammond@, of The Oaks.
l.. County" and the girl smil,d.
" You speak truly, lady, but may be
permitted to inquire how you came by
the knowledge q
:: Do you remember, years ago, a
black berry excursion while at the Oaks?'
q Most assurcdly L do and you
arc
"Lincy Grey, formerly; now Caro-
line Ward p
Ernest sprang from his scat and
graspcd her hand. = Lina-L mean
Miss Ward [ am truly delighted to
see you! 1t is pleasure well repay
ing me for the wet jacket [ have re-
ccivcd -
Then, of course, followed long
string Of mutual inquiries even Isabel,
for once forgetting her dignity, and al
lowing herself to feel interested in the
- little paupcr.''
At nightfall, the bciraggcd party
took seats in the cars and returned to
Portsmouth, full Of the story of their
wonderful adventure. Ernest, alone,
said nothing-perhaps, because he had
; nothing to say.
BE that as it may, Ernest Warning
ton through all the following summer,
took great delight in boating and sail
: ing, particularly in the vicinity OF
. Strandmoor And it was rumorcd
? abroad, that Caroline of the %traniwouli