The Portland daily press., 1870-07-16

lengtheninS inoiniuSs OF Spflng, the work
grew, TIL at the close OF nine months the trail
skif was completed; aud the faithful lover
awaited only calm and moonlight night to
favor his perilous adventure.
~ was md-May, and the light-keepers now
LOOK alternate nieht-watches There was lit
1ie lear That footstep on the rock or the
spiasnlng OF an oar in the water would be au-
dlple in the tower above the ceaseless sound
OF even the most placid summer sea. So, hav-
ing determined to set out at midnight, when
his father was on duty, and return in the
early morning, when he had retired to rest,
Michael apprised Ellen of his intention of be-
ing at their old meeting-place next morning
between two and three-a somewhat early
hour for love tryst.
Wonder, fear and joy contended with each
other all day in Ellens bosom, and many
were the whispered discussions between the
sisters as to the manner in which this unlock
editor visit was to be accomplished. Kate de-
| cided in favor Of Michael initiating the feat of
Leander. Ellen entertained the soberer no.
ton that the captain had been prevailed upon
| to make night trip with the water boat. Ill
| Jared it that day with Ellen's cookery and the
| thousand occupations of a solitary household
1t needed all her younger sisters ready wit
| and ight-hearted drollery to divert attention
| from her distracted looks and frequent blum
ders.
| Having vainly tried to sleep, Ellen arose
| while it was not far past midnight, and sat at
| the window gazing intently toward the North
| Maiden. AT last she deserted a dark speck
crossing the shining track cast by the light
| tower on the unusually calm water. Making
a wide circuit to the southwark to avoid the
current of the strait and the the broken wa
| ter which indicates the site of the submerged
| group called the Shearing Rocks, the little
boat named by her builder "The Hope" ad-
vanced bravely over the waves, and was at
length brought to at the foot of the landing
stair on the south rock, before the admiring
eyes CT both sisters.
A tender and fearful greeting was exchang-
ed between the long-parted lovers-for there
is bitter as well as a sweet taste to the stolen
morsel-and the joy of their meeting was
l shaded by sense of danger and a fear of
present discovery. AS the story of the build
ing of the little bark was poured into Ellen's
wondering ear, her cheek blanched at the
thought of the perils SO unwearyingly incurred
for her sake.
"And now, darling" said Mike, "read this
letter that l got this morning from Uncle
James,"
The letter informed Michael that his ap-
| pointment had been secured to the--Light,
| on the southern shore of Ireland; a good
| berth, but only available for a married man,
and the duties were to be entered upon at
| midsummer
Sand sure, Mike" wrote his uncle, s'ye
know some fair colleen that We can persuade
to share it with ye, though it is so short no.
tice."
With downcast eyes and burning bushes,
Ellen returned the letter to Michael, leaving
her hand within his. No words were needed
| to assure him of the possession of the entire
trust he had so well earned.
u, AS he saw the buoyancy of the boat during
the passage to the rock, "What," thought MI
chael, "if she can carry both of rs ?" Ellen
| was easily persuaded to step in, audit was ev.
ldent that the little vessel was capable of sus-
| tanning the double burden. Ere the brief hour
| OF the interview had expired, Ellen had agreed,
| at the end OF month, to trust herself to "The
Hope" and to her lovers skill, for the pass
| age to the shore, Michael, in the meantime,
| making all necessary arrangements for their
| marriage.
The girls anxiously watched the skiff until
| white handkerchief was waved for a mo-
| ment from the rock, the promised token that
Mike had reached home safe and undiscover-
| ed.
During the short period which remained to
the TWO sisters to spend together, they sewed
ndustriously at Ellen's wardrobe, and having
ostalned permission of their father to accept
an invitation from some relatives in Kings
county, they had the better preteXt for max
ing various purchases and preparations. Par
Gel by parcel, most OF the girls personal pos
sessions were sent ashore to the house of
srand,aunt, whittier it was arranged Katie
should go day or two before the Journey
and pack them for travelling, her sister follow
ing on the 2lst, the day set for the wedding.
Inc law requires that marriage should take
place between the hours of eight and twelve,
A. M. AS the water boat would not return
from the rocks till too late in the day, and as,
moreover, Byrne announced his intention OF
| going with Ellen to see his daughters COM
fortably started en- their trip, the success of
their plan depended on the lovers being able
| to make the voyage in the early morning by
| the Hope.
On the 10th OF June wild weather set in !; a
still breeze blew continually for several days,
at times swelling into fierce gale; the angry
sea, dashed foaming against the rocks, sent up
binding spray that made one tower invisi-
bic fIom the other by day. For three days
the water boat could not venture out.
| Gloomy faces and foreboding hearts dwelt on
both the "Maidens."
On the fourth morning, the weather having
somewhat moderated, Captain Morris fulfilled
his Wonted service, but was with difficulty
pursuaded to take Katie back with him.
Perceiving at length, by the eagerness of her
entreaties, that she had some especial reason
to face so stormy passage, he made every
possible arrangement for her comfort, and
vessel afforded. Waving an adieu from thence
| to Ellen, who watched the departure from
tue stair, but faint hope remained in their
| hearts for the accomplishment of their plans
| on the morrow.
| At sunset, however, the breeze subsidized,
| lulled, dlec-like child, wearied out with the
| force OF its own passionate waywardness,
sinking into calm slumber. The summer
| moon and stars shone out one by one over
and almost q G lacc
| heavens above. just as the brief twilight
| blushed into early dawn the Hope was push
ed out from her native cave by the strong
and resolute hand of her builder. Again the
| perious surf was safely crossed, and the skiff
| mooIed at the South Maiden. Pale, but calm,
| Ellen stood ready, and almost without spoken
word was assisted by Michael into the seat in
the boat, which with its double freight, was
SUNK very nearly to its edge. Even in that
calm, and with the most steady rowing, it
was necessary for Ellen unremittingly to bail
out the water from the tiny bark. The dis
tance from the south, or the further of the
two rocks, to the nearest point of the shore is
| full four miles: running with the tide, the
Hope made steady way, and knowing full
well that rising breath of wind or the turn
/ OF the tide before they reached the main land
| must prove destructive to the adventurous
voyagers, Michael strung every nerve and
muscle to the task, pulling the oars for his
own and yet dearer life. Katie arose with
sun on that longest day of the year. and
climbed the hill above the town of Larne. At
her feet lay the beautiful little Tough. the
wooded hills sloping down to it's margin: on
her left the dark mountains were clothed with
morning glory of mists far out across the
| sea the outline of the Scottish coast was
sharply defined upon the horizon; ships, with
all their canvas set, sailed stately in the open
channel; but upon none of the features of