The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-08-11
cry of thanksgiving comes from her

Ephrlam Ford has followed them.
The heavy boat with its single occu-
pant is strong enough to resist the
waves, and as he nears the ledge they
60 down to meet him.
Back y he cries. 81 will take but
one of you. 1t is not safe"
The grim Quaker, with his stern,
emotionless face, wrenches away the
slender hands which ciAyfo Ch@ans'
and clasping Dorothy tightly in his
arms, lays her at his own feet in the
bottom Of his boat. No word is spo-
ken until they reach the opposite
shore. Then lie takes her up again
and carries her to the nearest fisher
hut upon the beach.
AS they stand within the shelter of
the little cabin, Dorothy looks at him
with wild eyes, and cry of torture
issues from her pale lips.
$50 back go back! You will go
back for him ?"
go back for your elegant city low
er, whose ignorant carelessness had
cost you your life but for me?"
Dorothy falls on her knees, and
grasps his cold hand in an agony of
entresty.
"Go back! 60 backp
promise me first that you will not
marry him. Swear it as the worlds
people do" Then he takes her hand
and holds it up to heaven, and waits
for the oath.
Dorothy's lips move, but no sound
comes. She has tainted.
The fisher wife takes the unconscious
child and lays her on her own bed,
and Ephriam Ford goes upon his err
rand ofNAercy with murder in bis
heart.
The storm has lulled for moment.
1t comes on SO gradually, stopping
every now and then as if to make the
earth believe that it we're doubtful of
its power. The tempest knows its
strength, and can afford to wait.
Ephriam looks at the sky. 1t is
still red in the west. and the waves
are rising steadily, but his strong
craft, directed by his powerful strength,
can yet make its way through them.
There Fs plenty of time. The tide
will not turn for half an hour.
Ephriam fights his battle with temp
tation, and wins the victory. for TWEEN
ty minutes later the sturdy boat plows
its way back to the shore, and two
silent men struggled against the wind
up the beach to the fsherman's hut.
Dorothy is waiting for them. Her
outstretcbed arms would wind them
selves about both, but the stern, &ked
look in Ephriam's eyes restrains her,
and Charles turns from her and fixes
his glance upon the ground.
1t is terrible moment for Dorothy
She knows that they love her, and
she shivers at the suffering in both
faces.
Then she remembers the oath she
did not speak, and wild sort of ter:
ror takes possession of her soul. She
speaks, at last and tries to thank
Ephriam for the service he has done
them.
"Spare me thy gratitude, Dorothy,
he commands, in slow solemn tone
peculiar to his people. 81 know l have
done thee a service. | would not heal
it again. / tried to make thee sweal
an oath. Dorothy, | am glad it wai
not spoken. Tell me now, though
dost thou love this young man? VII,
thou forswear thy religion, forsake thu
faith of thy foreiathers, and become
one of the worlds people?'
Dorothy's eyes looked TOWARD
Charles with mute appeal.
"He has saved both our lives, dear,
answers the young man, in reply t.
her glance "and he is worthy of you
love-" Then his eyes seek the grounc
again. He has received his life from
!. this mans hands, and now he vii
speak no word TO rob him of his dear
est treasure.
, "Speak Dorothy" Ephriam repeats
at is for you to choose"
Dorothy's voice is choked with tears
and her breast shaken with sobs, a
she answers.
ut is very, very wicked of me
Ephriam, but l love him so p
Then she stretches out her helples
. hand, and the sweet lips whispe
Charles
Only single word, but it decide
her life. In moment she is in he
lovers arms, and for the second tim
that night unconscious.
The nobler man of the two goes ou
unheeded into the storm to conque
! ! his heartache alone.
e.
r No two sides Of any human face al
precisely alike. 1t is the same wit
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