The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-09-16

, its dead, that here, in this fearfu
solitude, the vision of her browne,
Paul, confronted her-or was sh
mad?
Another second, and the hand
| were withdrawn. The peril, the ex
Ieitement of the past hour, tn
1strangeness and unreality Of tn,
Ispot, combined to kindle within he
an unnatural exultion of feeling
| Had she not craved? If they me-
as spirits in this land of spirits, was
she to be afraid of Paul or shrink
from him? No, a thousand times
mo.
/ The face was near upon her
With rapid strokes it drew near-a
form emerged-it was upon the
rocks. With shrek, she held out
her arms. Cold hands clasped her
IA voice (did dead men speak?)
cried, "Queenie, Queenie."
The old pet name? 1t was Paurs
ghost, but none the less-Paul. 81
know you are dead,' she said, 'but
l am not afraid Of you," and felt un-
terrified. A strong arm enfolded
her. But the breast upon which
her cheek rested was throbbing with
such living pulsations, that half
reused, she began to shudder in a
blended ohope and fear, and she
shrank away from his touch.
80, Paul are we both dead or only
you? Is this the other Worldp
''Why darling, gently seating her
on the rock, '.you are in a dream.
Wake up, love. Look at me, Esther.
/ am not dead man, but your living
Paul Feel my bandits warm,
you see, God has restored us to
one another; and now if His mercy
permits, we will never be parted
again"
I'Paul! Paulr' cried Esther, con
vinced at last.
They were very happy. Prosy
folks, could they have looked in,
would have seen only two exceed
ingly wet young persons seated high
upon a rock ledge, with receding
waters ripping about their feet;
but they, all aglow with life and
happiness scarce knew of the lapse
of time before the Shiny line oflight
appeared at the mouth of the cave.
With blessed tears streaming down
her cheeks, Esther had heard his
story-how, picked up-the sole
survivor of that dreadful wreek-by
an 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 ad-
vance, Of the letters which told his
safety. And so they met here, mid
choral and tangle and almondine.
and as she heard the story of his
perials, Esther clasped the hand she
held as if she never again could
let 1t go. h
That provident little Helen-bless
her heart-builded better than she
knew in providing such a store of
damp sandwiches and refreshing
wine for those drenched and happy
lovers. When at last the reeeding
tide opened against 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 a glow like the sunset upon
her cheeks, and her eyes such a "a
dance Of happiness that it fairly
dazzled the forlorn, bedraggled
group above. Mrs. Gray embraced
her fondly, and fell incontinently in
to fit Of long-deferred Mysteries.
The boys executed a war dance Of
congratulation, and Helen, and Isa-
bel laughed and cried for ioy. And
as Esther turned with Paul for a
last look at the scene of her deliver
ance, the chime and murmer of the
sea seemed full of blessing-the
blessing Of the dear Lord who had
compassion upon her weakness, re-
storing her to life, and to that life
its lost joy. With thankful heart
she went her way. So we leave her.