Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-06-23

| "No apology is needed, Esther; am
perfectly at ease; we shall be in very
igood time"
Esther Graham looked we'll in a
handsome light blue silk. and appeared
rather more inclined to enjoy herself
than usual. The three set off in good
spirits Frank, opposite Emily in the
carriage, sat watching her, and feasting
his eyes on her gentle beauty.
A drive of two miles brought them
to the steep steps. Esther was given in
charge to Lieutenant Martin who guard
ed the pass, and Frank followed with
Emily, whispering words of love 10 her
that sent warm glow to her cheeks,
and joyful tide of feeling to her heart.
The moon was just mounting the heav-
ems in her car of light, dancing in psle
beams on the green boughs and scarlet
draperies, and peering into the deepest
recesses of the Demon Rock.
"What a strange old place, dear
Frank" said Emily, tightly holding his
hand Chow such night as this stirs
up the strongest, deepest feelings of our
nature'
"It does, indeed. There is poetry
and love in every motion of these rip
pling wavelets, in every swell of the
heaving ocean,"
"But how pretty you have made it
all, Frank ; it seems transf rmed almost
What trouble you must have taken"
81 am already paid for my share of
it, if it pleases you, dearest" said
Frank, wishing heaatily that pleasant
descent alone with Emily could occupy
hours instead of minutes "but we have
reached the sands now, and you must
let me escort you to the cloak room !;
there is covered archway leading from
it to the ball room Good-by love.
Promise me three dances, mily-the
first, the last, and one between"
81 promise, Frank. I would gladly
dance with you only, if it might be SO. !"
Frank joined his brother officers in
the ball room, already gay with pretty
women and bright uniforms. The next
to enter were the sisters, Esther and
Emily Graham. A host of eager desir-
ers of her hand in the dance clustered
around Emily. Frank came among
them, and gained again, in public, the
promise for the first dance
The music sounded gaily, light feet
trod in the measured dance; it grew
faster, more exciting, more pleasant !;
the dancers, unmindful of all but that
ball room the bright eyes that besmed
upon them, the strong arms that upheld
them, the fairy feet that glided past
them, the quick notes of music that
struck upon the air-how should they
hear the angry moaning of the wind
around the old cliff, the heavy swelling
of the surging tide ? Emily had danced
the second dance with another partner,
and Frank had slipped away to avoid a
sight he could not enjoy. He was the
first to notice the storm. 1t was awk-
ward, he thought, for it to come on
such night as this however, there
were bedrooms enough in the house for
ladies'; as for soldiers, if they could not
be content with shake-down in the
deserted ball room. or even with worse
fare than that, they were mufs, not
soldiers, that was ALL
When his turn came to dance with
his cousin, Frank returned, without the
slightest apprehension of approaching
danger, to the ball ROOM He told EN-
lily what he expected about the storm
raging at night, and the young girl an
swered jestingly, deeming it good
piece of fun to be compelled to remain
under the shelter of the cliff. Again the
music sounded, and light feet danced
merrily, while without, the giant waves
rose more furiously, tumbling and toss
ing over each other with crests of foam;
the wind roared in the hollow of the
Demon rock, and though the dancers
knew it not, the old cliff had begun to
tremble and totter beneath his touch.
The ball room windows had been thickly
draped to prevent the cold air from find
ing admission, but from the supper room
could be seen the foaming, dashing sea;
the black clouds with the struggling
moon, anxious to behold the earth again
from behind them, like some poor hu-
man soul whom Satan, by thick clouds
of doubt, would drive from the presence
Of his God forever, yet who struggles
on, knowing that some space in the fir
mament must still be free from gloom
and despair.
| Frank escorted Emily thither after
their second dance
81 knew you would like to see this,
darling" he whispered, as she gaz ed
with awed face upon the tumult Of the
elements.
81 do, indeed. Yet oh, Frank, is it
not awful?''
81 do not think we need feel fright
ened; we are safe enough here"
81 should like to 60 out on the sands.'
"But | cannot venture to take you
there, Emily"
They stood silently watching the
scene; then fash of lightning was
succeeded by tremendous peal of
thunder that seemed to shake the ground
beneath their feet.
"That was splendid ~
They waited for another flash, anoth-
er peal of heavens artillery, and then
returned to the ball room Some of the
ladies, especially the dowagers, who
were acting as chaperones, had begun
to feel uneasy; but little reinsurance
quieted their fears, and made them hope