Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-04

and frightened, and not go to her is just
impossible, shall manage it-never
fear"
The boat came. They saw it rowed out,
Paul taking the bearings carefully, shift
ing positions once, and yet again, before
satisfied. Then he looked up with bright
confident smile and nod, and clasped his
hands above his head A splash-he was
gone, and the water closed over him.
Within the cave Esther watched the
strange, moving phantom which darkened
the entrance. The splash reached with
out startling her, but in another second a
flashing object whirled down and inward
and, rising, the waves revealed iacc-a
white face with wet hair. In the pale I'M
earthly glow, it wore the aspect OF death.
1t drew nearer. She covered hef eyes
with her hands. Was the sea giving up
its dead, that here, in this fearful solitude,
the vision of her drowned Paul confronted
her--or was she going mad?
Another second, and the hands were
withdrawn. The peril the excitement of
the past hour. the strangeness and unreal
itv Of the spot, combined to kindle within
her an unnatural exatation of feeling.
Had she not craved this? If they met as
spirits in this land of spirits, was she to be
afraid of Paul or shrink from himP No,
thousand times no.
The face was close upon her. With rap
id strokes. it drew near-a form emerged
it was upon the rocks. With shrek,
she held out her arms. Cold hands clasped
hers-a voice (did dead men speak p
cried .Queenie. Queenie.'
The old pet name 1t was Paul's ghost,
but none the less Paul. II know you are
dead, she said, "but am not afraid OF
you,r and felt, unterrified, strong arm
enfold her. But the breast upon which
her cheek rested was throbbing with such
living pulsations that, half aroused, she
began to shudder in terrible blended hope
and fear, and she shrank away from his
touch.
30 Paul! are we both dead, or only
you? Is this the other world?"
''Why, Darling" gently seating her on
the rock, '.you are in dream. Wake up,
love. Look at me, Esther. am not a
dead man, but your living Paul Feel my
hand-it is warm, you see. God has re-
stored us to one another; and now, If His
mercy permits, we will never part again.
Paul! PAUL." cried Esther, convinced
at last.
They were very happy. Presy folk,
could they have looked in, would have
seen only two exceedingly wet young per-
sons seated high up on arocky ledge, with
receding waters ripping about their feet ;
but they all aglow with life and happiness,
scarcely knew of the lapse of time before
the shiny line of light appeared at the
mouth of the cave.
With blessed tears streaming down her
checks, Esther had heard his story-how,
picked up-the sole survivor of that dread
full wreck-by ain India-bound trader, her
lover had lain delirious for many weeks in
a far land unable to tell his name or story,
and in part recovered. started at once for
home, and landed in advance of the letters
which told of his safety. And so they had
met here, mid "coral and tangle and al
mondine;" and as she heard the history Of
his peiils, Esther clasped the hand she held
as ii she never again could let it go.
That proYident little Uelen-bless her
heart builded better than she knew" in
providing such a store of damp sandwiches
and refreshing wine for these drenched
and happy lovers. When at last the re-
ceding tide opened again the rocky gate,
and the vista of the sea tinged with rosy
sunset, and Esther, aided by strong arms,
left her rocky prison, it was with glow
like the sunset upon her cheeks, and in her
eyes such a radiance of happiness that it
dazZled the Iorlorn, DeuFaSSIcu siouH"
above. Mrs Gray embraced her fondly, |
and fell incontinently into fit Of long
deferred Mysteries. The boys executed a
war dance of congratulation, and Helen
and Isabel laughed and cried for joy. And
AS Esther turned with Paul for a last look
at the scene of her dcliverance, the chime
and murmur of the sea seemed full Of bless
ing-the blessing of the dear Lord who
had compassion on her weakness, restor-
ing her to life, and to that life its lost joy.
With thankful heart she went her way.
So we leave her.