Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-11-27

lie hoped in his heart that the vessel
would 20 to atoms, though he dared
not think that he hoped so, though as
he strobe on beside his quiet daughter,
he had some doubts whether that
event would mend the matter in the
end. Katharine had, from her young
glrlhood-she was now twenty-three-
been most incOmprehensible person
to those who knew her best, and
year back she had reached the climax
of incomprehensibility by accepting,
tacitly, the most reckless alteration of
Captain Alcott, who cared about as
little for her aristocratic blood as any
man living. but who would almost, if
not quite, have laid down his life, if
need be, for the love OF this woman.
katharine's father had managed to
see him alone when he came to make
his last call before sailing, and in re-
ply 10 the Captains question if he
would cntrust his daughter to his keep
ing, Mr.. Forsyth had answered him
that he could not, because other plans
were matured for her-that Katharine
was engaged to-day-would he excuse
herr and had bowed him ont with all
the politeness of an earl, and the Cap
tam had gone Off to sea. cursing the
proud father who had stood between
him and the dearest hope he had ever
had, and almost cursing the proud
daughter, too.
MIR. Forsyth had told his daughter
OF the Interview, told every particular,
without comment, because he was
little afraid not to let her know it, and
she had received the intelligence with
equal rcticence, which the father hoped
augured well, though for the life of him
he could not tell whether it did or
whether it did not.
Tonight he knew for certainty
where his daughters heart was, and he
knew as well that lie had little to hope
for unless Providence should favor him
by opening the door into the next
world for this sutor of his daughter
AS they emerged from the grove of
pines which skirted the beach, the
spray began TO cut their faces sharply,
and the whole fury of the storm seem
ed TO strike them as it had not done
before.
1t is dreadful night, Katharine.
I You had best return"
"lIush :" Her voice was sharp and
strained, IL had rather by far drown in
this hungry ocean here, than live to
know that he had gone down.
a al f.. 70, a.,
or any one else with her heart-secrcts.
but tonight she would have spoken to
any one who had been near her, with
little heed as TO who that person was.
The wreckers were gathered upon
the sand with boats, ropes, llfc-preserv-
ers, everything necdiul, but nothing
Was being done, nothing could be done,
they told Mr.. Forsyth, and all the
while came the boom boom boom.
from the guns of the ill,fated vessel
upon the rocks. around which the sea
was tuggiug and dfawing and surging,
us if eager TO swallow it up and be
done with it at once.
Katharine left her fathers side and
went up TO one Of the bravest Of the
men.
"llow can YOU stand here: Is no
one ready To 20 with you:' she asked
"les, we be all ready enough, Miss,
but the good Lord help the man who
goes out tonight.
Katharine said not another word,
but thanking the good Lord that
she knew how TO handle both a boat
and pair of oars, she slipped through
them, and before any knew it, she had
untastened 4 boat, was in it, and going
out swiftly on receding wave toward
the rocks and-him.
The light tiared upon white faces
enough when Mr.. Forsyth gasped for
breath, and nearly tainted when he
really believed that it was true.
The rest of that long nisht-and il
seemed as If morning would never
came-they paced up and down the
beach, while the storm ragged on, tor
not man would follow the mad wo-
man, though Mr.. Forsyth offered them
more money than most of them had
ever seen at once in all their lives, if
they would make the attempt. He
could not row himself, and so, half
crazed, knowing now how we'll he
loved his child, he had to endure as
best he might the horrors of that time,
which his heart told him would end in
certain death. One such hour teaches
US more of ourselves than a common
lifetime. Oh, if lie had his treasure
for one poor half hour now, how he
would take her to his heart. They
had distrusted each other for many
days, but there was love, boundless
stores Of it, in the depths of their
hearts for each other, he knew, and as
he wrung his hands in an agony Of
despair, and cried out for his child,
the rough men felt their hearts break
ing, though they could not help him.
At last as the morning began to
dawn life boat was thrown upon the
shore, scattering its freight of half
lifeless bodies, some into the sea, and
some upon land, but it was not katha-
rine's boat, and neither she nor the
Captain was among the number.
There was work enough to do now,
and it was done with right good will.
The first one that could speak said
that all the crew had left the ship;
that the captain had gone last, where
or how none of them knew, though one
of them said after while that he had
kind of half recollection of hearing
the Captain cry out: ''My God!
Katharine" as he swung over the ships
side, but he could not tell anything
certainly, there had been confusion
when the ship began to go to pieces.
In the middle of the forenoon the
storm abated, and another boat made
into the bay, with Captain Alcott on
board, but though he had thought he