The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-09-09
A WOMAN AFTER ALL.

"Take of that hideous bonnet, Doro-
thy. Iwant to see your sweet little face
without it,"
"Thou shouldst not speak so, Charles.
1t is very wrong"
"Why, little Dorothy? Tell me why F'
"ThOu knowest favor is deceitful and
beauty is vain. We ought to bear testi-
mony against the vanity of personal
looks"
"Ought we? Then tell me why it
pleased Providence to make you so
beautiful, my small cousin %
"Hush, Charles. will not permit
thee to speak to me in this manner"
And Dorothy Hicks, the little Quakeress,
put on her. gravest air, and struggled
valiantly to turn the corners of her
mouth down when they wanted to turn
'"Don't look so serious, little girl
You positively alarm me-" And Charles
Maynard burst into merry laugh that
echoed through the poplar trees in the
old garden. "NOw tell me, Dorothy-I
insist upon knowing, end as a member
of your family consider that have the
right to be informed-are you going to
marry Broadbrim ??
"Friend Ephraim is an estimable man,
Charlie; thou must not speak of him
thus"
"Look, Dorothy. There he is; l will
quote no proverbs, but the rim of his hat
Just turned the corner as | spoke. Now
don't look as if you Intended to 60 back
to the house, for you are not going. I'll
tell you a.secret. When was down by
the river this morning l found boat
with a tempting pair of oars lying in it,
and l made up my mind that Dorothy
Hicks and her wicked, worldly cousin
from the populous city of New York
wereegoing for row in that very boat
this evening"
at is neighbor Hancock's boat"
"He will let us have it,"
eyes. But, Charles, fear that it is
my duty"
"No, it isn't. You know you don't
want to spend this lovely evening in the
house entertaining Broadbrim, and you
want to go and watch the sunset OH the
river with me-"
Dorothy looks doubtfully toward the
house and wistfully toward the river.
"' Femme gui hesite est perdue,' Doro-
thy, which means if we don't hurry,
Graycoat will come out and catch u.s."
Charles takes Dorothy's hand in his, and
in moment they are on their way to
the shore.
:" But, Charles, see that cloud in the
south. If there were to be a sterm?'
(" But there will not; come, jump in"
The oars are lifted into the row-locks,
Dorothy takes the management of the
rudder in her hands, and soon they 20
gliding over the smooth surface of the
water, leaving track of silvery bubbles
behind them. 1t is lovely evening.
The misty shadows of twilight are gather
ing in the east and in the west; the
clouds, blood-red and purple, are casting
a rosy light all over the broad river;
fresh breeze is blowing round their faces,
and waves splash against the sides of
their boat like low mOnotOnOus music.
Charles is talking about his home, tell
ing Dorothy about the aunt and cousins
she has not seen for long time, and
amusing her with stories Of his college
days and his efforts to make his way in
his profession, which at first were so
successful. Neither of them notices that
the breeze grows every moment stronger
and fresher, and that the dark cloud in
the south hasspread over the horizon, and
is covering il with darkness.
Presently low muttering growl of
thunder startles them from the dream
into which they had fallen.
"Turn back, Charles. turn back -
screams Dorothy, "the storm is on usp
But there is no turning back. They
have been rowing with the tide. The
river is very wide and the increasing
force of the waves and the wind together
is so strong that when they attempt to
turn about, the water rushes into the
tiny boat. Both faces grow pale in the
murky light as they sec the danger.
at is impossible; you cannot do it |"
; : "Tell me, Dorothy, what is that dark
object Just aheaaT'
"It is ledge of rocks, but when the
tide comes in from the sea it will be
covered" and with low moan Dorothy
sinks down from her seat and covers her
face with her hands.
"We will try and land there The
tide will not turn for an hour"
The effort is successful. The ledge
reached; and Charles carries Dorothy to
the highest rock, and lays her gently
down.
"My love, my little love-" he cries,
kissing her helpless hands, shave ]
killed you'll"
s'"Stop," she exclaimed. "Listen
There is boat. II is coming TO us"
Dorothy is upon her knees, and wild
cry of thanksgiving comes from her lips.
Ephraim Ford has followed him. The
heavy boat with its single occupant is
strong enough to resist the waves, and as
he nears they 20 down to meet him.
Back ~ ne cries, "I will not take but
one of you. II Is not safe"
The grim Quaker, with his stern, mo-
tionless face, wrenches away the slender
hands that cling to Charles, and clasping