The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-07-13

CT didn't speak word, and don't |
know what possessed me- but feeling |
came over me that I'd have to reach |
that ship or die. There were plenty of |
lines at hand, 80, taking one, and coil |
ing it upon the beach, I commenced to |
fasten it around my waist. When it be- |
came known that 1 had made up my
mind to go off, every one tried to dis
shade me from it, but it was of no use.
I don't believe there was any power on
earth that could have prevented me
from irving. Its sure DEATH said one
but didn't care; he would have had to
use a stronger argument than that to
deter me then.
"When all was in readiness, and with
a liphter line attached to my wrist, 1
walked toward the sea, and waited for a
good opportunity in q returning wave
to make the plunge. The opportunity
soon came, but ut that instant Esther
sprang forward, threw her arms around
my neck, and entreated me, in the name
of the love l used to bear her, not to go.
"That maddened mel don't know
why, but it did-and strove roughly
to unclasp her hands from about my
neck. She only cluLg the tighter, and,
amid her tears and sobs, called me her
dear, dear Dave and told me that she
loved me dearly.
"'Lovep said, bitterly. Keep your
love for those that want it-such as Abb
ner Sanford, there
cat these words, she loosed her arms,
turned on me look of reproach, and
fell fainting on the sands. 1 gave one
glance at her, and then was battling
with the sea.
"Well, don't know much about it,
but, anyhow, the poor fellows were
saved-though terribly FROST bitten
and they do say that l was the man that
did it. However, what I know is, that
when 1 came to know anything, was
lying in bed, terribly stiff and sore, with
big cash upon my forehead, caused
by being thrown violently against the
wreck.
cit was some days before was able
to leave my bed, and when 1 did, an
arm-chair was rugged up with pillows
. to make me easy and comfortable; for, ]
can assure you, l was just as sore all
over as it's possible for a man to be, and
could make no movement without as
| sistance.
, "The second day I was up, heard
somebody enter the room; but l paid
, no attention, as 1 thought it was ole
| Martha Swain, who had come to nurse
me when it was found l was hurt, anC
, had been with me ever since, when
heard voice say, Dave Pearson, viii
you speak to me =
= my heart gave great jump, for
| knew it was Esther, and my Joy wa
= | o,,4 fnolich ,,,ida NuOnll NO
, permit me to own it; SO l growled out
5 like great savage brute that l was
/ What do you want!'
: "She came and stood in front of me
, I never saw q woman SO changed in al
= my life; she was pale and careworn, an
$ her eyes were red as if from crying. M.
whole soul yearned toward her, but m
, brutal obstlnacy kept me silent, and
looked doggedly at her.
l "Oh, Dave she said, do, do forgiv
v me! You are good, kind, generous
? brave, and 1 am but poor, weak VIC
t man. You little know how 1 love yor
= and how sore it has made my heart to b
1 bad friends with you. l was wrong
n Dave, dear Dave! Forgive me! TAX
0 me to your great, loving heart, and le
= me be to you as / once was.
v 81 hardly know what l said in repl!
v but 1 mumbled out something abou
: Abner Sanford, and she had better go
Y him for comfort.
|. cat these words she gave little CT
1 of pain, olasped her hands in anguisl
d and said, Dave Pearson, you cont kno'
IS what you are doing you are breakin
my heart.
h "She then turned toward the doc
IS and heard her open it. 1 could stan
it no longer; 1 tried to follow her; bu
T Lor' bless you! couldn't stir, and, lii
: great baby, 1 commenced to cry
- weakness made me do that, I suppose
q and blubbered out the word Esther!
j. "In another instant she was in m
# arms, and covering me with kisse
Hush here she comes; not a word
l. her, as she don't like to have it spoke
d about"
IS At this juncture, Esther, with h
> bright, pleasant face, entered the ROOF
T and said, Come, Dave, if you have
" catch the first tide in the morning, it
v time you and the gentleman were
bed, for it is near ten o'clock"