Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-11-12

| Then John shook off his WEAKNESS, and
declared he must 20 outside. A little flut-
ter of opposition rose from the kindly
voices about him, but he said he had to
| see about the line and consult with the
captain about the safety Of all of them,
and they let him go.
The sturdy old captain Of the Cherryble
greeted him near the doorway.
God bless your coming. Mr.. Marsden"
he said. 4 give the old Cherryble over to
you
Have you pilot on boardT asked John.
NO.
l. Nobody that knows the rapidsg
Not well enough TO pilot the Cherryble
over.
John studies a moment.
T. Il know every rock and chute he said,
I'and will try it,
Keep the fires banked he said to the
| captain. and a little steam on. Our line
will furnish US with food
I The line had already been hauled over,
| and sagging rope-brdge Of stout cable,
rigged with running pulleys. already join
ed the cable 10 the shore.
Strangely enough, John Marsllen had
not thought of the probability of Fred Err
ewin's being on board when he first knew
iof Bessie's presence there. 1t was a most
ed all, as he did in moment. he blamed
himself for not having thought of it be.
fore.
'Pshaw' he said to himself, 'of course
he's with her. He's her accepted lover :
lie started to his feet, half in anger. as
the face peered over the window-sill, and
turned a look upon it that might have dis
concerted any one but Fred, Erwin
sending word ashorei queried Fred
oh. arranging TO have us all basketed
over tomorrow, | suppose:'
Hardly responded John. II we can
get provisions enough 10 feed us for a day
or two. il is as much rs we can expect
just now.
Is there no means being arranged tor
our transfer across the line, ashore:
There are no meaus TO be arranged, re-
piled John, calmly. No boat that they
could rig out would carry one soul safely
across those rapids yonder; and no ropes
could be stretched from the shore here
that would not sag under one mans weight
SO low that he could not pass the rapids
Erwin made no answer beyond a ghastly
smile and turned abruptly away He
walked with quick nervous step toward
the far end of the deck. and gaZed wistfu.-
ly out on the ragged fields of ice and tur-
bulent curren: that shut him out from the
shore. For scveyal DAYS. he muttcred-
several days, Gods, Ii may be ruin, A
dozen discoveries may be made In several
days. But It's not 50. It's lie of his,
that's what 1t Is, it's a lie of his :
The baskets were propelled along the
line continually during the day, bringing
provisions and other necessaries, and at
noon a great mail arrived with letters APP
parently for every one on board.
Bessie received two letters one from
her father was full of hope and cheer. and
strong with trust in the good management
of John Marsden the other-Bessie had
read il first in wonder; then wi h varying
emotions of JOY and sorrow and hope and
/. bewilderment, AMI had again and again
re-read it. aud its pllintive story had
touched her aching heart with renewed joy
aud tenderness aud pity at each new read
ing:
DEAR Miss ALpEN-1his will only be
given YOU when am no more, and your
reception OF il can not effect me one way
or the other. | may say here what had
Hoped and yet feared 10 say ever since
iifst felt the tender charm of your pres
ence. | can say here. with neither fear nor
hope. that love you. IL may be some
thing for vOu To remember, a. your happy
life moves on. that heart strong every.
where but in your presence. turned loving
ly To thoughts of YOU at its death.
john MARsDEN.
Tom Meredith had evidently misuuder-
stood his directions.
Bessie Alden sat for hours that day gaz-
ing Lbsently out Of the cabin window at
the wooded shore opposite, her eyes be-
d-wed with tears, and her face dimy
frightened with tender smile. She long
ed at times 10 90 to this strong mans side
and tell him all-release him from that
grim despair that would have given the
eternal waters the secret OF his love for
her. But what diplomacy could compa IS
thiss
The crowd on shore had meantime fin
ished the scow by which they hoped TO
transfer the imprisoned passengers to SOL
Id earth, and il was slowly and tediously
pulled over TO the boat. But its inutility
was tested on the route. 1t was dashed
about so violently when It struck the rap
ids that il was evident no one would trust
himself IN her for a passage back. When
il reached the boat John Marsden ordered
il detached from the cable a. Thoroughly
useless. Fred. Erwin was among those OF
the assengcrs who watched the progress
OF the crew with the most intense inter-
est. a. he was convinced of the dangers
of it, transit, he c!nchcd his hands and
strobe away in that quick. nervous way, to
/ the upper guard of the boat and glanced
again upon the cruel ice that imprisoned
/ him. Then he turned sharply, and climb
ed the stair TO the upper deck. and con-
fronted John Marsdcn, where lie leaned
| against the pilot house.
| DO you command this boat, Marsden.
he asked, bluntly.
Yes.
What chance is there for Inc to get of
| In that scOwf
In that scows There is about one chance
| in hundred"
| Then want to take that one chance?'
| Marsden had stopped and gazed in won
der at the defiant and yet pleading man
before him. You are desperate. . he said
| Il don't want lecture. mind you,' said
| Erwin, savagely. Il want help. VIII you
| let me 90, or will Won have the town ring
| ing with my disgrace. tomorrow
A vivid thought of Bessie flashed through
! Johns mind-how could she survive the
dishonor his exposure if she loved him?
and his answer came quickly to his lips;
You may 90 Quick! There is one
chance, and Heaven knows | hope YOU
may win. The scow there Make ready.
Wen send one passenger ashore
And he leaned over the railing and call
| ed to the bOatmen below.
Fred. was OFF like a shot.
At this moment Bessie Alden found her
opportunity to seek John Marsden's side.
well, john she said with slight
tremulousness in her voice as she uttered
the name, under an affected vivacity OF
manner, what is your wisdom about to
suggest!'
The utterance OF his name startled John.
and as he glanced downward at her. his
heart glowed with generosity even for his
| rival.
We have hero among us. Miss Alden
his said Mr.. Erwin is determined to try
| the scow.'
Mr.. Erwin" cried Bessie in dismay
But is it not dreadful dangerous!'
Erwin was already in the scow, giving
hurried and indistinct orders to the boat
men who were to draw him across.
'Canhe 60 safely, John" whispered Bes-
sic in terror.
He may said John, gloomily.
You should not have let him GOT she
cried.
He would 60, Miss ALDEN said John.
| Il ur0pd him AGAINST II hut he would an