The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-08-04

IL IL, tkuu ulftuS up my uuluu IiRtG
Dorothy Hicks and her wicked, worldly
York were going for O row in that very
boat this evening""
"It is Neighbor Hancock's boat"
"He will let us have it2
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
do want to go and watch the sunset on
the river with me-"
Dorothy looks doubtfully toward the
house and wishfully toward the river.
CSC Femme qui hesite est perdue,'
Dorothy, which meansf we don thurry,
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 n STORM"
But there will not. Come, jump in"
The oars are lifted into tho rowlocks,
Dorothy takes the management of the
rudder into her little hands, and soon
they are gliding over the smooth surface
of tho water, leaving track of sivery
bubbles behind them. It is n lovely
evening. The misty shadows of twilight
are gathering in the east and in the
| west the clouds, blood-red and purple,
are casting rosy light all over the
broad river {; a fresh breeze is blowing
round their faces and waves splash
against the sides of their little boat like
low monotonous music. Charles is talk
| ing about his city home, telling Doro-
thy about the aunt and cousins she has
not seen for a long time, and amusing
her with stories of his college days, and
his efforts to make his way in his pro-
fcssion, which at first were so unsuccess-
full. Neither of them notices that the
breeze grows every moment stronger
and fresher, and that the dark cloud in
the south has spread over the horizon,
and is covering it with darkness.
Presently low muttering growl of
thunder startles them from the dream
into which they have fallen.
-"Turn back, Charles, turn back |"
screams Dorothy. "The storm is on
us 10
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 togeth-
er is so strocg that when they attempt
to turn about the water rushes into the
tiny boat. Both faces grow pale in the
murky light as they see their danger.
{" 1t is impossible; you cannot do it. +"
"Tell me, Dorothy, what is that dark
object just ahead Z"
1t is ledge of rocks, but when the
lido 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.
eve will try and land there. The
tide will not turn for nm hour"
The effort is successful. The ledge is
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, "have I
killed you2"
"stop |" she cries. "Listen There
is boat. It is coming to u.s." Doro-
thy is upon her knees, and wild cry
of thanksgiving comes from her lips.
Ephraim Ford has followed them.
The heavy boat with its single occupant
is strong enough to resist the waves, and
as he nears they 60 down to meet him.
"Back! !" he cries; "I will not take
but one of you. 1t is not safe"
The grim Quaker, with his stern,
emotionless face, wrenches away the
slender hands that cling to Charles, and
clasping Dorothy tightly in his arms,
lays her ut his own feet in the bottom of
his boat. No word is spoken until they
reach the opposite shore. Then he takes
her up again and carries her to the near
est 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 white lips.
$50 back go backl You will go
back for him q"
"Go back for your elegant city lover,
whose ignorant carelessness had cost YOU
your life but for mea"
Dorothy falls on her knees and grasps
his cold hand In an agony of entreaty.
$50 back go back I"
"Promise me first that you will not
marry him. Swear it as the worlds peo-
pie 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
Ephraim Ford goes upon his errend of
mercy with murder in his heart.
The storm has lulled for moment
1t comes on 80 gradually, stopping every
now aud then as if to make tho earth be-
lieve that it were doubtful of its powers
The tempest knows its strength and can
| affoid to wait.
Ephraim looks at the sky. 1t is still
red in the west, the waves are rising
steadily, but his strongly built boat. di-
rected by his powerful strength, can yet
make its way through them. There is
yet plenty of time the tide will not turn
for half an hour.