Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-08-24
RAsBURGH, VERMONT FRIDAY. AUGUST "A, 1860.

IhAODOhUH,
do you see that sort of little shelf in the
rock ?"
"Yes, but can we reach it?"
81 think so; you know we are both
good climbers"
After q little difficulty, Arthur succeed
ed in reaching the crevice, and lay down
so as to stretch his arm as far down as
possible.
Now, Ellie, put your feet there. and
take hold of that stone, and raise your
left foot, and you viii find another resting
place. Capitali Now raise your hand
and viii try to reach you-well done r'
Ellie drew breath of relief when she
found herself seated side by side with
Arthur, and asked him in a cheerful
voice if he thought they would be safe
where they were.
81 cannot tell, Ellie; we can only
hope so"
This was not encouraging, and Ellie
said no more, but looked around the cave,
feeling very g eerie,' - for it was growing
darker and darker as the evening shades
crept on without.
" What are you thinking about, Ellie p
said Arthur, as be felt her tremble.
" Those lines of the song Lucy sang
last night viii run in my head"
"What lines, dear?"
Ellie repeated in a voice which she
tried III vain to make steady:
"'They rowed her across the rolling foam,
The hungry cruel foam,
The cruel crawling foam,
To her grave beside the sea-"
Try and think of something else"
81 have been trying lor long time,
and 1 cannot"
Ellie started few minutes after. as
the cave gave back the rich tones of Ar
thurs voice, as he sang the beautiful
hymn:
"'JeSus, lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly,
While the waters nearer roll,
While the tempest still is nigh.
Hide me, my Savior hide,
TIL the storm of life be past,
Safe into thy haven guide,
Oh receive my soul at lastI'l
He sang steadily through the verses,
and Ellie thought the words had never
seemed so beautiful as they did now.
Soothed and comforted she hardly knew
how, she leant back YEARLY against the
rock, for she was thoroughly worn out
By the long day spent in scrambling
among the rocks. Unlike Arthur she
did not realize the bopelessness of their
situation. She knew they were in dan
ger, but Ellie had child's simple faith
in God, and having asked Him to take
care of her and Arthur, she felt secure
in his protection. Her heavy eyes grad
ually closed. and in a little while her
head fell on Arthur's shoulder and she
was fast asleep.
Poor little Elliep said Authur TO
himself, as be drew her cloak closer
around her What mercy it is that
she can sleep so peacefully
Hour followed hour, and Ellie slept on
while Arthur listened to the monotonous
ripple of the water, and the shrill cry of
the sea-bird, as it flew by to seek its
nests among the cliffs. The cave was
now quite dark, and, from the sound of
the waves, he was expecting to feel the
tide break against him every moment,
when moonbeam came floating along
the water. Arthur's heart died within
him, as with 1t came the remembrance
of Willie's words, uttered in the morn
ing, and forgotten till that moment; 1t
Is full moon to night, and there viii be
a spring tide A spring tidel All hope
was gone now, and he knew that little
later the cave would be full, He held
the sleeping Ellie in despairing clasp,
and counted the precious moments that
yet remained.
Arthur had thought of death before.
He had often dresmt of falling on some
glorious battlefield, aud had been borne
toshis grave to the sound of martial n,u-
sic, leaving an honored name behind him:
but it was very different thing rushing
forward to meet death amid the roar of
cannon, the trumpfs blast, and the shouts
OF the battle, to awaiting it in a dismal
cave among the rocks, ike condemned
criminal the hour Of his execution, i'm
prisoned by the ripping waves as Sc
curely as the felon by the massive walls
and iron bolts of his prison.
Time wore On, but Arthur grew calm
er as the tide rose higher. His defiant