Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-10-18


nothing more. Oh, surely Louis would |
rescue me he would not let me die
alone within reach Of his loving arms !
Night was creeping on. with twilight on
1T, garments hem. | could see that
lone and shadowy ship lying at anchor
beyond the bar. If only I could reach
that ship! But the current would drift
me past her in an instant Wildly and
longingly I called for help, stretching
my arms out yearningly toward that
silent vessel; but nothing answered
me. The shore had grown far and
dim, and dimly, strange the stars COM
ing out with their unfamiliar beauty
made me afraid. Sad, solitary and de-
serted, was l going to my death out of
all that bright afternoon, that over
flowing love, that fullness of life and
pleasure proffered me?
Afraid? Well, yes, was afraid;
for one brief moment, as I covered
back into the boat, shrinking in the
solitude Of the awful race of waters,
fear of that unknown world into which
| seemed sailing, oppressed me. But
l bethought myself that if I must die,
it were better to die bravely. Perhaps
| was going to meet Jim. If he were
in that other world, that ought to be
CHEEKY thought. No doubt he died
bravely. But was he dead? Jim, my
staunch friend, whose face had bright
ened my wretched childhood, oh,
where was he?
1t is said that in the hour of death
the memory of past events is prefer
naturally vivid. And as my mind re-
verted to those old days, forgetting my
later life, forgetting my later friends,
and forgetting even Louis, l felt sure
that was going to die. A trance of
peace fell upon me, in which I seemed
to clasp Jim's warm hand again, as in
days Of old. Jim Jim called
aloud, rousing myself as from dream,
yet dreaming still. But nothing an
sweredm me. The darkness was growing
deeper, the current more rapid, and
Louis, with his soft taper fingers, would
never reach me now.
Unconscious, half delirious, I must
have been, perhaps, for it seemed to
me that Jim on whose name l called
was spirit and that his presence.
somewhere near me, was upholding me
In this hour of need, as I drifted fur
ther and further away from all earthly
help. How long, know not; how far,
| know not; it seemed to me 1 had been
on the way all eternity, and--Had I or
had | not heard through that death
dream and answering cry? Did | or
did l not see mistily, as through veil,
the spars and shrouds Of that silent yes
sci that had stood affair off, watching nv
struggle with death And, great Cod
a0as it Jims face-dear old Jim's face
bending over me, and was this
| heaven?
"My DEAR" said Mrs. Belden, com
ing into my room one morning, you
are getting quite strong again; the sea
air has done you world of good-in
/ fact, you look better, I think, than be-
fore your accident. I am thinking we
may as well return to the city as soon
as you like"
was lying on couch by the win
dow looking out upon the sea.
Well" said l, ahsently, in half
reverie.
You feel quite strong, do you not,
dear?"
ooh, yes, ma'am," said I, rousing
myself; "quite strong stronger than
ever"
was stronger than ever; since that
night when Jim saved my life, swim
ming out to my sinking boat against
the current, and risking bis life to help
an unknown waif, unwilling that it was
his little nursing of old who was in
deadly peril-since that night world
Of new thoughts had come crowding in
upon me, soaring me with their
strength, and making me ashamed of
the idle, silken life I was leading. Il
know not what premonition of change,
Of Punishment, was Juggling at my
heart this morning as I looked out over
the cleaning waters, and filled my eyes
with tears.
"You are sorry to leave the sea-
shore said Mrs. Belden.
g [ was thinking of Jim," said [, hon
estly. How can | leave Jim?"
Mrs. Belden's face flushed.
Jenny" said she, severely, "of
course we all think a good deal Of your
sailor friend for saving your life; but
you must be aware that he is no fit
companion for you, and that his con-
slant attendance upon you since that
oCC1NAOho 11Ceo OOOl1 l1lttG0I Oh muCl.
annoyance both to myself and Louis
At that moment Louis tall figure
appeared at the door, queer smile
was on his pale, thin face, as holding
out his long, white hand to me, he
said: Jenny, your sailors below"
81 have just been telling Jenny"
said Mrs. Belden, that we must get
her away from the sea shore to free
her from these low associates" !
Low associates Jim, my prince of
men, my savior!
II see but one course" added Mrs.
Belden, as Louis stood silent.
too saw but one course; and vet
these two had been SO kind to me all |
these years; they had made my life SO
luxurious and pleasurable; should / go
away from them into the obscurity and
poverty of my early life again?
At that moment Jim's sunburnt face
appeared at the door. He stood with
bis cap in his hand, eager yet modest,
his face ahght, his eyes cleaning be-
hind IIOl1lS'S thin calm cOl1ntonopoo