The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-01-20

vealed brigantine nearing a roam -crestet
line of rocks about mile away from tn,
shore
Soon q dull crash, which sounded abov,
the roar of the waters, proclaimed tn,
doom of the vessel.
"My husbsndl my husbandr p shrieket
Dora, throwing her arms upward.
A white, cleaning speck was dancing {
| moment upon the crest of huge wav,
that came rolling towards the breakers.
1t was the fisherboat of DOra's husband
By the aid of his night glass the light
house keeper saw that as the boat passed
the stern of the vessel a man leaped over
board and was picked up by the occupant
of the boat.
"YOur husband has saved a man, but
they never will reach the shore there:
too much undertow along the cape, and
the" shouted the keeper, but he could
not finish the sentence, for at that moment
a large wave thundered against the shore
and threw its binding spray over the
group.
After the wave had subsided, the party
saw naught of the brigantine.
But between them and the reef of rocks
danced the little boat of the fisherman.
"If we could get a line to them, they'll
be saved. But we can't get boat over
the surf and it would be risking ones
life to swim out there" remarked fisher
man who stood near Dora.
"Give me a line, for Gods sake, give
me linel have learned to swim he
has tar ut mel screamed Dora, pointing
towar lis the little boat which was now
only few hundred yards from the shore.
1t came no nearer despite the visible
efforts # Charles Grayton who was row.
ing.
"Stuff and nonsensel" shouted the
fisherman taking hold of Dora, who had
taken thin but stout fishing line from
the locker of one of the boats lying upon
the beach.
LET me go, let me go will save
him. screamed Dora, biting hin. in the
arm.
With a muttered curse the man loosened
his hold, and Dora sprang to the edge of
the roaring sea.
Keep hold of the end Of the line "
were the last words she uttered.
The next moment q retreating wave had
carried her from the shore.
Charles saw form run to the shore and
plunge into the dark waves. He stopped
rowing and half rose from his seat as he
shouted to his companion in the boat.
"Some one is coming out. l also see
the men on shore acting as If uncoiling a
line. If the fellow reach this boat, then
we are saved; if not, then God have
mercy upon our souls, for we will surely
drift towards the hog back reef. / have
used the oars since the storm began, and
now | can scarcely lift them up"
"And l dislOcated my wrist when /
leaped overheard and tried to lift myself
into your boat" cried the other.
Husbandi Charlesi" came family
from over the waters
Grayton had sprung to his feet, and
holding on to piece of the little mast
which was still sticking in hole of one of
the boards, he gazed over the waves.
Far, far below him, in the trough of the
sea, he saw the white, upturned face of
his wife, and again heard her pronounce
his name.
Instantly he fastened a line to one of the
oars and threw it towards the apparently
woman at the same time he
shouted, "Take hold, Dora; your life de
pends on it,"
Twice she missed the floating oar; the
third time it was in her grasp. A minute
after, Charles drew the fainting form of
his wife over the gunwale of his boat.
Dora's first sense of returning life was
dim consciousness of the OdOr of water
lilies. She opened her eyes and raised her
hands to her brow. A genial warmth sur
rounded her, diffused from the cheerful
fire that blazed in the large fire place; and
the window panes came the warm
rays of sunshine which alighted upon the
head of an old man that was bending over
her.
Father, dear father" murmured she,
lifting up her arms. "My child, our
saviori" sobbed the old man, holding her
in a close embrace and kissing her tear
dimmed eyes.
eyes, our savior" echoed her husband,
holding up to her gaze their little babe,
which was dancing with its little feet as if
conscious of the joy that reigned at this
moment within the room of Charles abode.
81 have but dim recollection of taking
hold of the edge of the boat, then L re-
membered no more" said Dora, drawing
her babe upon her bosom and kissing its
rosy checks.
al found the line around my waist, and
after tying it to the ringbOlt in the bow l
signalled to the man on shore to pull. A
short time after we were high and dry.
1t was an awful Christmas night, Dora,
but God in His mercy has spared our
lives" said Charles, kissing her pale brow.
The old man lifted his hands as if in
prayer.
"Glory to God on high-Peace and good
will on earthl" he said, in a solemn tone
"Yes, children, forgive what |, in my vain
pride, uttered against you when both
begged me to give my consent to your
union. An all-wise Providence had
ordained that you should become the
savior Of my life. That vessel, of which
am the only survivor, belonged to me
| was on my way to Cape st. Lucas, where
| intended to stay the rest OF my life
When the brigantine struck the rocks
saw the boat of Charles and / sprang to
wards it. He drew me in the boat. Chill
dren, this is the last day yOu.remain in thi
wretched abode. have already bOugh
houses, and tomorrow we will be on oul
way to San Francisco. You shall never
toll again, Charles. | care not for the los
of my brigantine still enjoy princely
income, and we will live henceforth to
gether."
The bright, golden rays of the Christ
mas sun shone upon the happy group, anC
the glistening dust that danced in the sun
beams seemed to rejoice at the recOncilia
tion of father, daughter and SON -in-law.-
Golden Era.