Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-02-08
4 1)rcttp Gittle etorp.
THE RETURN.


the sea. Its farther extremity touched
the horizon under the moon, and its
hither point swept along the shore with
the stride of a stranger who was tread
ing the pebbles, sliding its glistening
arm over acres upon acres of ocean sur
face. Out upon the bay, visible in the
bright light but spectral, hoated the ship
whose boat had Just kissed the sand with
its keel, and was now speeding back to
the merry click Of 1.-THE oars in musical
row-l locks.
AS the stranger strobe along the beach
there came familiar sounds across the
water--the rattle of tackle and the flap
of sails then spectral canvas sweled
the pressure of the wind. the ship point
cd her PROV seward and shot gracefully
into the night.
Close by the sea-shore, yet nearly a
mile before him, lay bright little vii
lage. Bright because white with paint
and tidiness. The night was SO clear
and brilliant that he could even discern
the church spire as he marched along -
The dwellings themselves were individu-
allied; standing in families, in pairs, or
singly, as though they partook of the
tastes and habits of the race whom they
wrapped from tho sca-coast storms in
their stiff mantles of pine and hemlock
1t was nine o'clock; for the sound of
the church bell came cheerily over the
fields and along the edge of the groves
As the stranger approached the village
his step became more rapid but less
strong, his chest hoavcd and fell with
broad and unusual movement Once he
sat upon bank Of earth for a moment,
pressing his face in his hands, smoothing
his features with their broad palms but
when he resumed his walk there was no
less nervous eagerness
We have called him stranger, and
yet he is approaching bis only home
lie has been gone ten years, going out
as master of whaleshp to the North
Pacific Four years away, and nearly
ready to return, bis ship was driven upon
a little island, where only three of the
crew escaped watory grave.
1t was one Of those islands rarely
touched by any vessel; and hence they
had been imprisoned during all these
long years, subjects Of savages, and obli-
yious to all the world beside.
When he went out he was betrothed
to Mile Grey-Millic, who lived with
her mother in the white cottage under
the bill, where creek winds round to
moisten the meadow and make music
with its little waterfall Mile was sweet
and trusting, beautiful with health and
the glow Of exercise.
1t had all been confessed and when
he kissed the tears from her eyes on the
morning Of bis departure, be had said
g BE true to me, Mile, and when |
come back we will live together in our
own house on the knoll there by the or
chard, darling! p
And Mile had looked into his eyes
through her tears, and said =:
BE true to youl should as soon
think Of dying as loving any other than
you, William"
And then she had reached up high |
with her white fingers, and twincd them
in his heavy locks, bringing down his
forehead to the level of her red lips, and
planting kiss there which bad blossom
cd through the whole ten years.
But the ten years had made him dead
No delicacy Of devotion could require
Mile Grey 50 long waiting. SO the
strong man was nervous in his glauc;ng
as he passed familiar spots and entered
the street
:" She may have died p and he turned
"a little aside TO search the church-yard,
rather to be told by the cold
lips Of marble than the stammcrDg
tongues Of friends. There were many
new stones and many new families Of
graves; but tue Returned sought only q
plat in the centre When he went away
there were two mounds, long and
short one. Now there were three but
The hcadstone Of the new one had not
been set.
William turns down lane bordered
by silver oaks. under the shadow Of which
be had last walked with MiIlic ten years
ngo.
a light shines out from the window Of
the white cottage. cit is not deserted
then" But the fever Of fear and hope
have almost unncrved the wrestler with
winds aud waters.
Over against her old home, in the edge
IL. .-...l-.-I &. II H.