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

his own feet in the bottom of the boat
No word is spoken unit pthey reach the
opposite shore. Then he takes her up
again and carries her to the nearest fisher
hut up the beach.
AS they stand within the shelter of the
little cabin, Dorothy looks at him with
wild eyes, and a cry of torture issues from
her white lips.
/ "Go back, 60 back! You will go back
for him p
"Go back for your elegant city lover,
whose ignorant carelessness had cost you
sour life hut for me?
Dorothy falls on her knees and grasps
his cold hand in.agony of entreaty.
"Go back, go backp
Promise me first that you will not
marry him. Swear it as the worlds
people do"
He takes her hand aud 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 errand Of
mercy with murder in his 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 were doubtful its power.
The tempest knows its power, and can
afford to wait.
Ephraim looks at the sky. 1t is still
red in the west, the waves are rising
steadily, but his stout-built boat, directed
by his powerful strength, can yet make
its way through them. There is plenty
of time; the tide will not turn for half
an hour.
Ephraim fights his battle with tempta-
tion, and wins the victory; for twenty
minutes later the sturdy boat plows its
way back to the shore, and two silent
men struggle against the wind up the
beach to the. fisherman's hut. Dorothy
is waiting for them. Her Outstretched
arms would wind themselves about both,
but the stern, fixed look in Ephraim's
eyes restrains her, and Charles turns from
her and fixes his glance upon the ground.
1t is terrible moment for Dorothy.
She knows 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 terror takes
possession of her soul. She speaks, at
last, and tries to thank Ephraim for the
service he has done them.
"Spare me thy gratitude, Dorothy"
he commands in a slow, solemn tone
peculiar to his people. 81 know I have
done thee service. would not hear o
it again. / tried TO make thee swear an
oath. Dorothy, / am glad it was not
spoken. Tell me now, though, dost thou
love this young man? Wilt thou for
swear thy religion, forsake the faith of
thy forefathers, and become one of the
worlds people T';
Dorothy's eyes looked toward Charles
with mute appeal. :.
"He has saved both our lives, DEAR"
answers the young man in reply to her
glance, and he's worthy Of your love-"
Then his eyes seek the floor again. He
has received his life from this mans
hands, and now he will speak no word to
rob him of his dearest treasure.
"Speak, Dorothy" Ephraim repeats.
1t is for you to choose"
Dorothy's voice is choked with tears,
and her breast shaken with sobs, as she
answers:
at is very, very wicked of me,
Ephraim, but love him so!'
Then she stretched out her helpless
hand, and the sweet lips whisper
Charles"
Only single word, but it decides. her
life. In moment she is in her lovers
arms, and for the second time that night
unconscious.
The nobler man of the two goes un-
needed out into the storm to conquer
his heartache alone.