The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-08-04
AUNT AGATHA'S STORY.

'ached the rock; there we stood, SIDE
by side. The heavens were filed with
black clouds, NOS fixed and motion
less, but carcering swiftly through the
skies in dark masses; the thunder
rolled heavily; and the sea, one vast
chaos Of waves of inly hue, whose
SUBMITS were crested with snow white
foam, tossed angrily around the rock
on which we stood. The lightning
flashed in lurid glare, and the rain
poured down in perfect sheets of
water. What storm! Half an hour
before it was bright and serene, only
Il few clouds hoated slowly through
the heavens; and now how frantically
the clements rush over the earth;
what confusion-whattc terror! I.crcpt
closer to my companion, as each vivid
flash revealed him standing firm and
resol,,tc by my side.
ssGood hcavensr exclaimed I with
dismay, as looked into the fearful
sea foaming and dashing below; ''these
pillows will overwhclm the rock, there
is no safety here, Mr.. Raymond. -
'.Be strong, Agatha, he said quiet
ly, .'bc trusting"
'But I cannot I replied shudder-
ingly, 81 feel al a wonan's fears. "
He drew my arm within his, and
said, ''Agatha, Lo You remember, in
Mrs. Brownirg's noble poem, "A
Drama Of Exile, the question Adam
puts to Eve, as the poor exiles stand
banished and forlorn without the
gates of Eden, in the dark exterior
desert?'"
YES" I answered, he says:
''Hast thou strength,
Beloved, to look behind us tothe sate?"
''And what does Eve reply?"
81 have strength to look up to thy face
s'but Mr. Raymond.
He interrupted me, go, beautiful
love, that in moments of sorrow and
danger, gathers strength by looking
into the face of the beloved one.
Agatha, let me strengthen you, even
as would cherish, love and protect
you"
I remained silent; I felt too weary
and dispirited to tell him, that as
much as I respected him, I did not
desire his love or his protection. /
groaned aloud, and exhausted with
terror, threw myself down on the
rock. I was wrought up to despair,
and I covered my face with my hands,
and sobbed. 1 felt something thrown
around my shoulders; I looked up, it
was Mr.. Raymond's coat. "Oh, no
no." said, ''keep it on-I have my
shawl
''You must allow it to stay he
said, ''you are becoming drenched
with the rain
I felt the force of that authoritative
must" and remained quiet. Mr..
RAYMOND took his seat beside me.
SAgatha," he said calmly, "three
hours ago o little boat set sail on a
smooth sea; the object of it's inmate
was to cross over to the island oppo-
site. These tears are mott yourself,
they are for that lonely voyager, who
even now, may be sleeping quietly
beneath the sea. You are tortured
with tears for his safety, until you feel
as if you could stand it no longer,
YOU would even now plunge into the
foaming sea and reach him If you
could" shuddered. II ask not if
this is so, Agatha, but affirm it, and
YOU will not deny it.
..No, I had no intention to deny it
YOU guessed Alright, Mr.. Raymond.
Guessed, Agatha, he said quietly,
"no, this knowledge, bitter to my
heart, came not by guessing. studied
the dark lesson day by day; your Looks
and actions were my teachers, Agatha,
be continued in his earnest, quiet
wey. II have lived thirty-fve years,
and gained much sad knowledge, but
there seems nothing sadder than the
truth. that warna- earted, earnest
woman will waste tne rich oUt-pour'
ings of tender love on cold, selfish,
unloving men."