The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-07-22

i y
dead. She died last night, and with her
dying lips she forgave me whatever wrong
have done her. i was with her and
caught her last breath. If she could for
give ME, surely you ought. | know that
| did her great wrong, but repent OF lt,
and she has forgiven me; will you not do
tht-same and come to me?'
He took a step toward me, but | retreat
ed. g | have nothing to forgive" | an
swered, coldIy. If she whom you so
wronged has forgiven you, well and good
owe you no ill-wilI, but do not love or
respect you now, and never can"
"Rose!' he cried. ''you are cruel? Oh.
come to me, and fly before it is too late
"Hushi" | said, steruly. "AIl that
wild folly is past, and forever. l shall be
! the wife of Rollin Weatherbee next week
at this tine, and far from here. The wife
of the only man ever loved. That mad
fancy conceived for you died as sudden
ly as it sprang to life, and can never live
again. Go away and leave me. Good
night and goodbye"
sped back into the house, and locked
the door behind me, leaving him alone in.
the darkness. found mamma had fallen
to sleep in her chair by the stove. and was
relieved that | would thus be spared an
swering any questions.
The wind blew colder and harsher across
the mOorlands. A dreary rain began 10
fall, and the night settled down, desOlate
and lonely. Merideth House was oppres-
sively quiet, and my heart was full of sad
forebodings. What if the dreadful autum-
nal storms should come on just after Rol-
lin embarked for Avondale? What if his
ship went down in the waters of the lake,
and he never came to me? Would il not
be Just punishment for my wild folly !!
Had / not been untrue to HIM in thought.
and almost broken my vows, and fed
with another, and that other base-heart-
ed, unprincipled villain? Had not | let
his kisses fall on my lips and listened to
his words of love? Oh! was ashamed
a-hamed; and hid my face in nay hands,
praying God to forgive me, and send Rol-
lin to me in safety.
The DAYS that followed were damp and
chill, with mistand wet east winds. But
thr dreaded storm did not come on. Each
night went to rest with heart full OF
anxious fear; each morning arose,
thankful to find only wet winds and som
Der skies. Thursday morning came, gray,
cold, chilly, like the ones that had preced-
ed it. Thursday night the ship Cora Bell
was expected, and by that ship Rollin
Weatherbee would come to me-
was restless and uneasy all the long
dav. No glimmer of sunshine lighted the
dull. gray skies A damp mist fell, and
the cold east wind blew over the moor.
By night was almost hysterical, and my
heart was like lead in my breast. "a
wan-fac2d bride yell be, if ye dinna
brighten up bit," Harwood said to me,
and did not wonder as | caught sight OF
my dead white face in the mirror.
The evening came on dark and desolate.
No moon, no stars, only gray sky, varied
here and there with dense black clouds. l
could not stay in the house. 1t seemed
like prison to me. and seiZing a cloak
threw the hood over my head, the cape
over my shoulders. and walked down the
avenue, and leaning on the stone pillars of
the gate, looked out towards the lake.
Suddenly something caught my eye; it
was bright light, high up in the air. "a
lighthouse of course" l said mentally,
tbut why have | never seen it before?
That is not the lighthouse that directs
ships to Avondale landing, for the landing
is exactly opposite Merideth House. l
have seen the light night after night from
nv chamber window" l turned my eyes
in the direction cf the landing. 1t was
dark as pitch. But to the left, full half
mile, shOne that b illiant light. Suddenly
a thought struck me. "Mv God, 1t Is the
lighthouse on the rocks '" | cried, and
my heart seemed TO stand still. remem-
bered that had been out there once, in
my boat. An old fisherman, sitting on
the rocks, and dropping his line in the
water, had answered my queries concern
| ing the lighthouse. at is where the red
! light is hOisted of very stormy night"
| he said. Not often used, Miss, for the
/ or A lal
| to the landing. But this is lighted some
times 10 show where the danger lies, if the
night is DER dangerous"
| His words all came back to me now,
with dreadful distinctness. The light
seemed to burn into my very eye-baIlS-
the light that shone clear am white-nOt
the red signal of danger-high up on the
cruel rocks. Quick as lightning it all
flashed through my mind. Some one had
lighted the lamp, to wreck the Cora Bell
upon the rocks. Who could that some
one be but Breeze Rogersl He knew
ROllin Weatherbee was coming to me on
that ship, and he was fiend enough to
wreck an hundred lives, for the sake OF
killing one man. What could be done
how could the danger be averted? With
out even a glance back to the house, |
1 opened the gate and sped toward the lake.
:. know every inch of the ground.
On went till | reached the hut of a
fisherman. | gave loud knock at the
door, then burst it open without waiting
10 be hidden. A stalwart man and his
burly son sat over the CRATE. Both start
I'd to their feet the sight OF my deathly
face and staring Eyes. "Why, Miss Rose
but" ! stopped them.
. For Gods sake" cried, "cOme with
L h. or A NJ 10 a n :
not been lighted, and the house on the
! rocks is burning a white light, and the
Cora Bell will be a wreck unless some
thingis done. One of you go to Avondale
and see why the keeper has neglected his
duty, and one of you come with me to the
light house on the rocks"
With you, Miss Rose, why"
4" Yes, with me! | can't stay here,
must 90 with you in the boat and see that
the light is put out. | am not afraid
The night is dark. but the lake is not
rough. The only danger is threatening
the Cora Bell. We Must be quick"
On we hurried, l keeping pace with the
long-limbed fisherman. Down TO the
landing the young man fastened, and up
into the lighthouse, while | sprang into
the boat which the old marfunlocked, and
scarcely waiting for him to seat himself
seized an oar and rowed with all my
might. How slowly we went-how slow
ly. Won we never reach the rocks
And all the time that wicked, hateful ligh
burning into my very eye-balls. There a
last The light made the landing less
dangerous than had thought. The ole
man fastened his boat, and clambered uF
: the rocks.
Careful, miss,'' he continued, "thos,
rocks are wet and slippery :" but | reach
ed the lighthouse, and entered with
heart so wild with fears for the Cora Be-
| that forgot all danger for myself. l raj
like a squirrel up the stairs, up the ladde
-on-up-up-til l reached the tower
2 l opened the door, leaped into the lott
= where the lamp cleaned and flashed it
4 white light into my very ewes. A man
; with daredevil face, turned at the noise
{ He had been so intently gazing through
, glass out upon the waters that he had no
e heard my approach. "Fiend!' | cried
e - What would you do!' and with on
: bound dashed my whole force agains
y the lamp, shattering it in pieces, and ex
/. tinguishing the baleful light. For on
moment we were left in utter darkneS
{ and mans voice hissed, " Girl, you shal
[ rue this. have YOU in my power now.