The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1874-12-24
MademOiselle Caprice.

Old WOfy peered into the obscuri-
ty of flow-hanging clouds and heaving
billows, with the scudding drift of the
tempest still yelling the horizon.
Wofty was queer old negress, bent
and stiffened by rheumatism, a tur-
ban about her head, surmounted by 8
mans straw hat, calico gown fiut-
tering in the wind, and bare feet.
"De waves swallow 'em up fast, I"
she muttered.
Twenty years ago to-day the En-
terprise went down." said a clear,
sharp, voice at her elbow.
A second watcher on the wild and
lonely shore, singularly enough also a
woman. Tall and thin, aud clad in a
robe whose brightness might have be-
longed to her own youth sallOw,
sharp featured. and with restless
blue eye, the second watcher also
scanned the horizon. Between these
two existed bond which drew them
forth 10 watch the troubled ocean !;
both had lost their all ia the good ship
Enterprise, and the bend was none
the less strong because one was cap
tain and the other cook.
Woffy suddenly waved her arms,
and cried.
"a vessel coming in fast L see her
fust, mind My ole eyes better'n
spy-Rlass dis time.n
''Hush I'' said her companion,
wringing her hands. tits only
thing of mist, a ghost of our dead ris-
ing to haunt US"
As she spoke flag slid up the rope,
aud, f1uttering from the peak of the
signal station. proclaimed TO the is
land world, "Unknown sail from the
West" Many s craft bad visited
this region, gliding smoothly into
port, or drifting, dismantled wrecks,
but never the like OF this one. On
she came boldly, all her sails set, and
cleaning white ia the dull atmOs-
phere. What was the vessel? Where
did she cUme from The helmsman
must be mad. All, at last What
else could be expected Bounding
forward on the crest of the advancing
wave, she paused shjVered, and hung
poised in air, as it were, pierced by
the fang of a sunken reef Then a
wondering silence fell on the specta-
tors-for the two women had cOm-
pany by this time-men on the strand,
O4 biAC nlAlEf anu LAlC EiEnai-
master swaying on the highest round
of his giddy ladder, glass in hand.
The marvel was this-not soul was
visible on her deck.
tiIt is not real % walled Mrs. Dear
born. "Why do you watch a ghost,
good people ?'
''Come away, mother" said a young
man, leading the poor lady to shell
tered path.
By the time boat was ready this
young man had returned.
81 should like to co." he said, quiet
ly.
The wreckers eyed him doubtfully.
Parsons were well enough of a Sum-
day, and Alfred Dearborn was unmis-
taksbly clerical in garb and manner.
There lay the mystery awaiting
them, palpitating in the swell like a
wounded creature, the taper mssts
now dipping, the sails tapping idly,
and the hull outlined against the sky.
What deed of horror on the high seas
had swept this deck ? Only the
creaking o. the eordage, the tapping
of the waves, replied. No trace of
disorder and violence except two
boats gone. The young clergyman
went down the companion-way into
the cabin with bated breath. No con-
fusion even here every article in its
place, the lamp swinging monoton-
ously from the beam. A low sound
curdled the blood in his veins, already
chilled by dread and anticipation of
the unknown. 1t was the veriest
breath, half sob, half moan; still there
was some living creature in the inner
cabin. He stepped to the door.
A girl, bleached to the color of her
shroud by illness, with yellow hair,
lay in a narrow berth, and within
reach of her hand were placed biscuit
and bottle of water.
So the clergyman brought his prize
on deck, as the wreckers swarmed
over the side. Old WOffy had never
quilted her post on the shore; now
she ran to the Loaf.
''It's mine, whatever you got 1
see her fust."
The girl opened wide eyes, dreamy
and vacant.
"Where are your companions of the
ship 2''
"I don't know, u vaguely.
"Was there a storm 9r
"The sea always beat against the
side" wesrily.
"Can you tell Us your name ?"
"Csll me caprice of fortune" alb
ruptly.
AT hope you feel better this morn
ing" was Alfred Dearborn's ssluta-
ton.
He paused outside of Woffy's home,
which was 8 crumbling hut Of dark
time-staiped stone, flsnked by large
chimney, and with flight of broken
steps leading up to the door. The girl
Caprice came forth, as much a mys-
terry as ever. There she stood, with
nothing to say for herself, fragile, fee
be, haggard, only the yellow hair and
q pair of timid gray eyes to commend
her to other notice than compassion
The young clergyman found an mex
pressible fascination in studying her
Those eyes should furnish pass.
port through the world" he thought
! faint flush staining his white cheek
nIf you will come to Palmetto
Lodge, my mother will be most hap
py to welcome your be urged.
"As you choOse,n said Caprice
meekly, with deprecating glance to
ward Woffy, who was wOrkingamoDg
the onions and yams OF her garden.
"NO," said the old woman, flourish
ing her hoe. "There's enuff to eat fol
her'n me. see deship fIst."
Mrs DearhorD clad i'm widow.