The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-09-16
FREMONT SANDUSKY COUNTY OHIO FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6 1870

hardly distlnguishable archway toll
that the tide had surprised anothe
victim, and already the avenue o
escape was barred.
Was this the answer to some un
spoken prayer?
The thought flashed over her
Had she really prayed for death
Here it was, close at hand, and sh,
was conscious of no goodness-only
an intense instructive desire for life
1t was too dreadful to be drowned
in that hole, and washed away likt
a weed. Life was worth living aftei
all.
Had somebody said or was sht
dreaming, that a portion of the cave
was left uncovered by the water
She could not remember but now
she searched about for some indica.
ton, All! surly this was one-a
cork, a scrap ofpaper, lodged on the
highest shelf-fragile things which
the tide must inevitably have wash.
ed away. With an instinct of pro.
priety which survives shipwreck and
fire, she collected her drawing mater
ials other little belongings, and re-
treated with them to this possible
place of refuge, wrapped her cloak
about her, and with folded hands
sat down to await her fate.
The cave was full of pale green
light. 1t was beautiful to see, as
the advancing flow rose ledge over
ledge and flooded the fairy pools,
how each star flowers and seaurchin
each crimson and golden weed, trem-
bled and quivered, as with delight
at its refreshing touch. Each an
emone threw wide its petals and
expanded into full blossom to meet
the spray baptism. No mortal eye
ever looked upon q sight more charm
ing, but its beauty was lost to the
shivering andssterrifed girl.
The doorway had quite disappear
ed. Sharp spray dashed against her
dress. The drops struck her face
She shrank and clung more tightly
to the rock. A prayer rose to hel
lips; and through the tremulous light
of the submerged archWay a strange
shadow began to go and come, to
move and pause, and move again
Was it fish or weed, or some myster
,ious presence2 Did it come accom-
panied by life or death?
Meantime upon the rocks above 6
distracted group were collected. The
party had gaily come back from the
Heads. DR.. Gray ignorant landsman
as he was, had grown uneasy and
hurried them away. Arrived at the
grotto, the full extent of the calam,
.ity was at once evident. The boy
had mistaken the tide flow for ebb-
and the only hope left was that Esther
discovering her danger in time, had
taken refuge at the cottage near by
Thither they few to search, but, az
we know, in vain.
The sobbing girls hung distracted
ly over the cliff, listened to the hoI
low boom with which the waves
swung into the cavern below-sicken
ing to think of the awful something
that might any moment go outward
on the returning billow. The gentle
men went for assistance, and brought
a couple of stout fishermen to the
spot. But what could anybody do
"If the young woman has sense
enough to climb up the right hand
corner and sit still, it wont hurt hel
none, perhaps" one Of them said.--
"Not more nor two tides a year gets
up there"
All! If Esther could only be told
that! They could but trust power
less to her steadiness of neave and
common sense. 1851 -ai ID
"She's such a wise thing Helen
sobbed out. So they waited.
A rattle of wheels came from the
road. They all turned to look, and
some one said, 'EPerhaps it's the
doctorp Though what earthly use
a doctor could have been would be
hard to say.
A figure was coming rapidly up
the path-a young man. Nobody
recognized him till DR.. Gray started
forward with the face of one who
sees a ghost
Paul! Good God. Is it pos
sible?"
Eyes, DOCTOR" with hasty hand
shake.
'No other. I don't wonder you
stare eI
"But how in heavens name how
has it come about? Where have
you been since we gave you up for
lost?" .-
0It's a long story. You shall hear
it some day. But''-rapidly-"fOr-
give my impatience-where is my
cousin? WHAT'S the matterY"
There was dead silence. At
last with a groan, DR.. Gray spoke;
"Paul, my poor fellow, how can ]
tell you? Esther is below there"
"1n the grotto. Can anything be
done?"
The young man staggered. The
glow faded from his face, leaving
him ashy pale. For moment he
stood irresolute, then he reused him
self, and his voice, though husky,
was firm:
"It's frightful place; still there
is no absolute danger if she keeps
her presence of mind, 1 Istayed there
over tide myself once, just to see
it. Is your boat at homer" he said
to one Of the fishermen.
"Yes sir"
"Fetch it round, then, as quickly
as possible" Then to DR.. Gray:
Il shall row out there opposite the
entrance, and make a dive for it. If
1 can come up inside, it's all right,
and I'll see that no harm happens
to Esther till the water falls, and we
can get her out"
"But-the riskp'
"There is a risk of striking the
arms as | rise-that is all. I'm a
good swimmer, doctor, as you know,
l think it can be done"
"You can guess, with a sort of
pale smile, how 1 have been count
ing on this meeting; and to leave her
alone and not go to her, is lust inn
possible. l shall manage it, never
fear"
The boat came. They saw it row