Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-04
NO. 1873.
Gales and Sketehes.
UNDER THE SEA.
CONCLUDED FROM YESTERDAYS PAPFR. l


And then she thought, as she had thought
before, how glad she should be to die
Life didn't seem desirable any longer, and
it would be blessed to be with Paul, even
at the bottom of the ocean. And think
ing thus, the long eyelashes dropped more
and more heavily-peace fell upon the
and dreaming sweet joyful dream.
How long she slept she never knew.
She awoke with a sensation of intense
cold. The spell of slumber was SO strong
upon her that for moment she did not
realize what had taken place. The cave
was half full of water. Her feet and the
hem of her dress were already wet, and
the roar of the waves beneath the hardly
distinguishable archway told that the tide
had surprised another victim, and already
the avenue of the cave was barred.
Was this the answer to some unspoken
prayerP
The thought flashed over her. Had she
really prayed for death? Here it was,
close at hand. and she was conscious of
no gladness- an intense intinctive
desire for life. 1t was too dreadful to be
drowned in that hole, and washed away
like weed. Life was worth living, after
all.
lad somebody said, or was she dream
ing, that portion of the cave was left
uncovered by the water? She could not
remember, but searched about now for
some indication. All! surely this was one
"a cork scrap of paper, lodged on the
highest shelf-fragile things which tide
must inevitably have washed away. With
that instinct of property which survives
shipwreck and fire, she collected her draw
ing materials and other little belongings,
and retreating 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 oyer ledge and flooded
the fairy pools, how each star flower and
sea-urchin, each crimson and golden weed,
trembled and quivcred as with delight at
its refreshing touch. Each anemone threw
wide its petals and expanded into full bios
som to meet the spray baptism. No NOR
tai eye ever looked upon sight more charm
ing but its beauty was lost to the shiver-
ing and terrified girl.
The doorway had quite disappeared.
Sharp spray dashed against her dress.
The drops struck her face. She shrank
and clung more tightly to the rock. A
prayer rose to her lips; and through the
tremulous light of the submerged arch
way u strange shadow began to 60 and
come, to move and pause, and move again.
Was it fish, or weed, or some mysterious
presence? Did it come accompanied by
life or death?
Meantime upon the rocks above dis
tracted group were collected The party
had come gayly 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
calamity was ut 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. They flew
to search, but, as we know, in vain.
The sobbing girls hung distractedly over
the cliff, listening to the hollow boom with
which the waves swung into the cavern
Notwithstanding to think of the awful
something which might any moment wash
outward on the returning billow. The
gentlemen went for assistance, and
brought Il couple of stout fishermen to the
spot. But what could anybody dop
IF the young woman has sense enough
to climb up the right hand corner and set
still it won't hurt her none perhaps" one
of them said. mot more nor two tides
year gets up there"
All! if Esther could only be told that!
They could but trust powerlessly to her
steadiness of nerve and common sense.
..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: perhaps it's Il doctor!n Though
what earthly use doctor could have been
would have been hard to say.
A figure was coming rapidly up the path
g young man. Nobody recognized him
till DR., Gray started forward with the face
of one who sees u ghost.
'Paul Good God! Is it possible ~
Eyes Doctor" with hasty hand shake.
mo other. don't wonder you stare"
'.But in heavens name how has it come
about Where have you been since we
gave you up for lost ?"
"It's long story. You shall hear it
some day forgive my
impatience-where is my cousin What is
the matter ="
There was dead silence. At last with
groan, DIR. Gray spoke:
Paul, my poor fellow, how can tell
you Esther is below there"
"In the grotto?"
''ln 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 himself, and his voice, though
husky, was firm.
.It's frightful place; still there is no
absolute danger if she keeps her presence
of mind. l stayed there over tide my
self once just to see it. Is your boat at
home ?" to one of the fishermen.
"Yes, sir"
"Feteh it round then as quickly as pos
sible. Then to DR.. Gray II shall row
out there opposite the entrance, and make
dive for it. If 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 risk ~
There is the risk of striking the arch
as rise, that is all. I'm good swimer,
Doctor, as you know. / think il can be
done on can ottaSs with ccrt ~