Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-25

not leave her to 60 for help. She had
worked hard-brave little maiden-and
had drought her to-" as she whispered
to Clyde in the kitchen, but found she was
unable to speak or move when she got her
to bed. es =,
When he entered the room, she stretched
out her arms to him, dropped them about
his neck, and looked upward with a smile.
Tic wind and sea were out again, angry
aud loud. At each sound she shuddered,
but the smile did not leave her face. Her
eyes held an unearthly light. She began
to grow cold; and near morning, in one
Of those low, long sobs of the sea, when
the tide goes out, her life went out gently
with It,
Two DAYS later another grave was add
ed to the ''line of the wreck" for there
she belonged, coming only a little later.
Katie began to feel now what it was to
be left alone, as the head of the house
Clyde-great,s strong heart-took the
trembling girl into his arms, as II she
were a child, on that first, sad night, IN
their desolate home, and soothed her INTO
quietness.
.Do YOU think, Katie" he said. at last,
very low-for his own voice choked-"ao
YOU think you can keep house for clyde
even ifma is gone ~
IL will try" was all she could say, as
she hid her brown eyes. so full OF tears
on her brothers bosom. 49,,
"Bless you Bless you, my brave little
girl" he answered.
Katie felt stronger for those words. She
thought over all that her mother used 10
say when she "should be gone" and she
-.
her mind to be all that she had hopeo lor
her.
Well, at first it was too, too sad Often,
when she had made ready the meal, the
empty place would look SO heart-breaking,
that they could only sit and weep.
By-and-by, they grew more used to the
change, andthe house became more cheer
full. Katie did all she could to make it
look bright to Clyde. and welcomed him
warmly when he came home from his
work. After supper she would draw out
her little workable, and sit reading or
talking to him all the long evenings, till he
blessed her in his soul, for her little wom-
ans heart.
Often, when she knew the night would
be wild, she would plan something in the
day to make the time pass more swiftly,
that he might not be reminded OF their
grief.
1t was on one sucn evening that they
sat busily engaged in new story which
Katie had borrowed that day There was
knock at the door, and Clyde rose to
open it. Katie, thinking it was one OF
the neigebors, read on without raising her
eyes, intending to stop at the end OF the
vrse she was reading.
The door stood open, brt no word was
spoken. "What could it mean?" and
Kate looked up.
An! did her eyes cheat her? Was she
dreaming? Surely she must have gone
to sleep over the story, and this was what
it turned to!
She saw Clyde stand there, with his
arms dropped by his side in wonder, look
ing at something in the doorway. 1t was
Adam Ramsey? She turned icy cold
Their lips moved, but she heard no sound!
The lamp reelcd red before her eyes, her
arms reached out toward her father, and
she knew no more.
When Katie,came to herself again, she
was in those dear, strong arms, too weak
and happy to say anything.
She heard the strange story OF those two
years, in which they had mourned him as
dead.
He had been floating Tor hours and
hours out at sea. when "a strange vessel
picked him up, carrying him across the
ocean. A fearful fever set in, which
placed him for months in a hospital. AZ
ter that, his labor was so poorly paid for
Che was so disabled by sickness) that he
had waited long time to earn enough to
pay his way home.
Katie knew, as she lay there in his arms,
that the worst was over-that he knew of
her mothers death. He had expected to
find it so. knowing her frail nature.
The next morning they all went together
10 the grave, and it seemed as if her an
gel must see and be glad for them. "But
oh a.! if she had known" sobbed Katie.
'.She does know, now, my child BE
comfortedr' said her father. and she was
comforted in the thought.
There was a great stir in the little fishing
town, when the strange news was told that
Adam Ramsey was alive! Many were the
eager questions put to him about those
who had gone out in the boat with him,
and many the strange tales OF suffering he
had to tell. There were companies OF earn
est men and women every day at the cot
tage, begging to hear, from his own lips,
how those brave men persisted.
So, Katie went on, making home happy
and bright. Her father was very proud of
her, and called her his .little house keep
err"
Katie never would leave her father and
Dottie. After many pleasant years, bold
young fisherman, whose heart was tender
and good, made her his sweet, happy bride,
she did not leave their old home-the cot
tage by the sea--and when year later
the old man was called to his rest, she felt
that she had always tried to be true to her
trust.