The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19

could bc done-how could tho danger
'be avertedl Without even o glance back
TO the house, I opened the gate and
sped toward the lake. I knew every
inch Of the ground.
On won't ill I reached the hut Of q
fisherman. I gave loud knock at tho
door, then burst it open without Whiting
ID be bidden. A stalwart man and his
burly son sat over the grate. Both
started to their feet ut the sight Of my
dcathly face and staring eyes. "Why,
Miss Rose-but"- I stopped them.
"For Gods sake," I cried, "come
with mol The beacon at Avondalc
landing has not been lighted, and the
house on tho rocks is burning q white
light, and tho Cora Bell will bo wreck
unless something is done. Ono Of you
go to Avondalo and SEQ why tho keeper
has neglected his duty, and ono of you
coms with mo to tho lighthouse on the
rocks,
"With you, Miss Rose, Why
eyes, with me I can't stay here, I
must go with you in the boat and SEQ
that the light is put out. / an not
afraid. The night Is dark, but tho lake
is not rough. The only danger is
threatening tho Cora Bell. We must be
quick"
On we hurried, I keeping pace with
the long-limbed fisherman. Down to
tho landing tho young man hastened,
and up into tho lighthouse, while I
sprang into the boat which tho old man
unlocked, and, scarcely waiting for him
to seat himself, seized IN oar and rowed
with all my might. Howslowly we went
how slowly. Would we never reach
therocks2 And all the time that wicked,
hateful light burning into my very eye
balls. There at last Tho light made
the landing less dangerous than I had
thought. The old man fastened tho boat,
and I clambered up the rocks. H..
Careful, miss" ho continued,
"those rocks arc wct md slippery" but
1 reached tho lighthouse, and entered
with heart 80 wild with fears for the
Cora Bell that I forgot all danger for
myself. I nm like q squirrel up the
stairs, up the ladder-on-up-up-till
I reached tho tower. Iopcncd the door,
1 leaped into the loft, where tho lamp
cleaned and flashed its white light into
my very eyes. A man, with a dare-
devil face, turned at the noise. He had
been so intently gazing through II glass
out upon the waters that ho had not
heardmy approach. "Fiend |" cried,
"what would you dot" and with ono
bound I dashed my whole force against
the lamp, shattering it in pieces, aud
extinguished the baleful Light. For one
moment we woro left in utter darkness
and mans voice hissed: "Girl, you
shall ruo this. I have you in my power
now." I felt his iron grip upon my
wrist md screamed outright. Then the
door burst open, the light Of q lantern
flashed into tho tower, and the burly
form Of the fisherman entered and stood
beside us. "Seizo llim-bind him |" /
cried. "He will kill mol"
The bury fisherman set down his
lamp and caught the arms of
Brecce Rogers, and quick rs thought
plnioned them at his back. I tore up
the skirt Of my dress aud twisted it in q
stout cord TINT securely fastened the
villains limbs. He scarcely movcd-so
sudden had been the fisherman's nttack,
so iron-like his hold. "Now bring him
down." l said, 81 will lead tho way
with the lantern" He took Brcccc
Rogers 1.-the, alendcr figure in his arms
rs il it had been chiltl's, and followed
me down the ladder. 1t was treacher-
ous descent, but we landed safely upon
tho rocks and took our seats in tho boat.
Breece was not gagged, yet he said no
word-made no sound. We had not
rowed half the distance back to tho land
ing, when, joy Of joys! the light flashed
out from Avondale beaconhouse, reach
ing far over the waters, and l knew the
Corn Bell was saved.
Tho strain upon my nervous system
had been too great. AS We reached tho
Avondale landing I fell in adead faint,
and knew no more till I woke in my
room surrounded by crowd of anxious
faces. Harwood was rubbing my hands,
mamma bathing my forehead, some
strange faces wero scattered about tho
room, and-Rollin, my Rollin, bent over
me, with tears in his blue eyes. When
l was strong enough they told mo all.
How had been brought back by the
fisherman, hours and hours before,
and tho story Of my adventure briefly
stated by him. How tho fishcrmanfs
son had found tho keeper OF tho light
house in n dead stupor, drugged sleep,
aud the lamps 30 tampercd with that it
took him full half hour to right them
and make them burn. How they did
burn ut last, in time to guide the Cora
Bell safely to shore, and bring Rollin
and the wedding guests in season for the
morrow's bridal.
waS n pale bride md had to be sup
ported by my husbands arm, but it was
glad bridal for all TINT. We left Avon
dale, mamma, Rollin, and some few of
the wedding company, that very day, and
have never set foot there since. Breece
Rogers was tried, convicted, md SEN
fenced to prison, where he died two
years later. Rollinkncw tho whole story
Of my folly before l became his wife.
He did not censure me-since I had
risked my life to save his, and to atone
for my error.