The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-13
CHAPTER ".
LIGHT IN DARKNESS.

LIGHT IN DAkkNESS.
How lonely and desolate he was No word can
describe his sadness.
For a long time he lay there, thinking OF his
lost Lily of her parents despair and wretched-
ness and Of his hopeless, darkened life. The ship
sailed across Gardeners Bay, passed outside or
Gardeners Island, and struck the swell or the
Atlantic. What vOyage-what life-was be-
fore him.
1--WE are fairly out to sea-" he said, at last as
the rolling and pitching OF the vessel declared
the fact. al must own up soon. wonder what
the captain will say when he sees me ~
He wiped away his tears manfully, repulsed the
feeling OF desOlatiOn that came over him, ana
began slowly to emerge from his concealment;
As might have been expected from the life he
and Lily had led, spending half their time ON the
water neither Of them felt the slightest inclina-
tion to sea-slckness. But 10 both, the peculiar
greasy odor prevailing the vessel was almost IN
tolerable and Richard began 10 long lOr the
fresh air OF the decks.
He crept across the state-room, and placing
himself nOiselessly in the doorway, peered into
the aingy cabin
The door of the stewards pantry was open, and
the steward--L Legro named Tawkins-was en-
gagged In entertaining Scipio with tempting
beverage, receiving in return all the news AT
Scipios command.
aboard, has hey" said Tawkins. 81 jest wish l
could Il seen here Does she look like the cap
tain.'
said Scipio with Il grin. "Why, she's u tinty-
touty thing, with hair the color o. sunslne, ana
eyes like bits o. deep blue sky She's going to
make voyage with us !"
ats bad luck TO have woman aboard" said
Tawkins, refectiycly. 81 knew OF ship once,
where the captains wife was aboard, and tile snip
was lost, and every soul drowned. It's temptin'
| o. Providence to take women To sea ~
will :, declared Scipio. why he can rage worse
than the wind can, and the weight OF his arm Is
somethin' awful. Last v'yage, you know, he
liked to killed one OF the sailors, and that very
| feler is in the New York 'ospitile now with gen
eral used-up body. Can't walk, nor talk, nor
nothln'-so hear The captain is awful y
Richard began to think he might better have
remained ashore
"Is the captains bed made, TawRlns :" asked
| Scpio, after pause
The steward replied in the negative.
"Ill make it then," said Scipio, "and you can
help. Where are the blankets and sheets w
Richard, anticipating the reply, closed the
door and concealed himself behind the further
4 moment later, the two negroes entered the
| state-rOOm, and commenced eSurely selecting
the required stores.
.'What did you say the young lady's name is
Scpio 2" inquired Tawkins, holding lantern
while his friend tumbled over the piles Of blan
kets
~ didn't say but it's Lily. The captain found
her on Shelter Island"
What great leap Richards heart gave. IIt
started so violently as almost to betray himself
self from uttcring shout.
A conviction OF the glorious truth flashed upor
his soul with the quickness OF lightning.
Lily was lving-was on board this very vessel
While his mind was In maze of bissful rap
ture the two men passed out, and lie was left 4
himself.
His first impulse was to fling himself at full
length and sob like child. His JOY and thanks
giving found vent in shower OF tears, whlcl
seemed to relieve alike the pressure on near
and brain.
Notwithstanding that the girl had been spokei
Of as the captains daughter, he believed her t
be his own lost Lily. As his brain grew clearer
his mind grew busy with speculations, and n
soon arrived ut an idea somewhere near IN
truth.
"Lily's uncle is sailor, and what sailor besid
him could want to carry her off? He Is gong =
take her far away, and maybe he means 10 MI
father and mother, and inherit all the Lawrenc
property. Poor little Lily My heart aches 7
comfort her. The key is inside the door. mus
He again arose and peered out into the cabin
The door Of the captains state-room was open