Litchfield enquirer., 1874-04-23

you sp9ak of" she went on with cutting emphasis, in his long silence, sswould your own mother and sister be toiling in poverty. while you are living among us as gentleman"
 "Hushp' he said slowly, as he rose, with suppressed passion m his stead fast eyes. s'You have said enough to kill my hope; more than you will care to recall in the years to come. Only in rare, sweet moments have ever dreamed that you would accept my love when you knew all, whatever you may have been to me before; but I faeUer dreamed that from your lips would come such words of cruel contempt. will say nothing of their truth or falsehood. It is enough for me that you can believe them"
 The spring sunshine still streamed through the old window, but it touched the white, brave face no longer. The slow step died below upon the pavement, and as each echo fell heavily on Alice's heart, she longed to cry aloud.
 "1f had been prepared, she sighed wearlly, Cor if I had really been what he mas thought me, I should have-have said it differently"
 Il think, mother" she whispered that | WACA uS1 U1OGu0f WOuuO1Gu 60 her wan face, cit would do me good to go back to Llanvriar for a little time. I promised to do so if could. Will you let me go at once?'
 So the next morning Alice went.
 A little of the old color had come back to Alice's cheek, and little of the old Hghtness to her step, before she had been manykdaysa.at Llanvriar. But she knew it was not the sea-air only which had brought them back Sir Bulkley Gwynne was at home now, and on the very first evening of her arrival she had heard Ovens story from him. Thinking over this story as the generous old Squire had told 1t, Alice felt great change had come over all her thoughts of Owen.
 ''When go home again" she unused in silent happiness, "I shall see him and speak to him once more. And then, per- haps'- The words died here; but it was plain that Alice, though she had longed to come, was looking forward al- ready to this going home. And more than ever now she stood beside the win dow overlooking Ferrybank, and gazed with anxious, loving eyes on Owens home.
 ''It strikes me, Miss Hope, remarked Mir. Gwynne, coming up to her at this window one day, .'that you are not to leave Llanvriar without seeing a storm at sea. You say you never have seen one in your life." ;-
 ''Never," answered Alice, shuddering unconsciously. r
 "Well, I think my uncle's prognostic of this evening is likely ro be verified; he always dreads this southwest wind. l am going across to Ferrybank to see how things are looking. for the gale increases fast and threatens to be vio1ent.",
 ''Is there life-boat on the coast?" ask ed Alice, late that night, when she and Mrs. Gwynne sat listening to the wind as 1t rumbled through the the trees, and moaned of it's own dark deeds upon the sea.
 Yes; it was one of Sir Bulkley's gen. erous gifts to Ferry bank, and many a life has been saved already. We have one of the ablest crews in Britain, so we always say, ready to go but at 8 minutes notice. Don't look so frightened, dear. Shall we go to bed?"
 "Oh nor. pleaded Alice; ''let us wait for MT. Gwynne. It is too terrible a night for sleep or rest"
 So they waited in the cheerful light and warmth, very silent and suboued ,and sitting close together, except when Alice, | ln her great fear, rose and opened the shutters to look out through the splash ed panes into the blackness of the tenn pestuous night. A night, indeed, it was, ''on which the bounds of heaven were lost" As she stood so, there flashed be- fore her a sudden, rapid light, darting upward for an instant and then gone. Alice knew it came from a vessel in dis tress, and with cry of fear she threw open the window, bending her head against the wind, while the foam rushed up into her eyes. The solemn roar of the waters on the beach was heard be- yond the thunder and the wind and rain, and the lightning, flashing swiftly over the angry sea, showed her for one mo- ment the high and heavy line of surf With @ prayer upon her lips for those tossed helplessly upon the sea tonight, she closed the window and the shutters Then the two friends sat quite still to- gether, waiting and longing for the morn- ing.
 Down upon the shore at Ferrybank breathless, eager crowd had gathered, leaning hard againt the wind ,and blinded by the spray which dashed in showers to the wild shore. Gazing, gazing out into the darkness which hid the hungry sea, they waited while the wide doors of the life boat house were unlocked and the great boat wheeled down to brave the storm. Amid all the mightier sounds Sir Bulk ley Gwynne's voice rose clear and sharp; as, watching the trained crew take down their ifebelts he counted them rapidly.
 ''One is missing-Hughes! Where is Hughes?' ... -...... = ...-....-.... ...4 No one had seen Hughes, but half hundred voices called his name now. 1 His place must be supplied, r lthe Squire shouted, sharply and distinctlyl l ''Wa dare not delay one second" l A young man, who had been active and prompt in his shelp, came into the light of the lamp wliGhfSir Bulkley held. "I am ready, Sir BulNey;s let me Igo. You know that an, oar is no new toy to me. If you refuse me I shall take out my fathers boat. Listen! Could stay upon the shore here while the drowning plead for help? In the rockets light I saw the Gfe-boat from the brig put out, and know it could not pull through such a sea as this. Let me go, Sir Bulk ley." -
 As he spoke. the baronet, raising the lamp which he was placing in the boat, saw in his face the steady bravery which was so plain in his low, quick tones.
 Vaughan! did not know :you were here. I trust you in this as have trust ed you before. Go, if you think it we'll"
 ''Thank Godp said Owen softly, as the Squire wrupg his hand, -f gs.s. zg.
 Amid the cries and prayers of the ex- cited crowd, the strong. swift boat put out upon the dangerous surf, and all eyes followed it's light, as it rose and fell upon the wave. and slowlE ysneared that other faint white light which .glowed on the masthead of the struggling vessel. l Only five miles from shore the brig would be, and now and then distinctly seen in the sudden blazing of the rockets; yet how the lights reeled and tossed and 1 aO0atld not meet!
 .'''Sr Bu1kley, I've been ill for weeks, sir, the one member of the crew, who had been absent when the ifeboat start ed, came painting breathlessly upon the | Af.