Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-04-28

| she Was SClll angry. WnaG IL ne SnOull
never return?
| How perverse the human heart is Nov
was the time to yield, and exchange TIT
word and kiss of peace. She knew it, anC
yet with that strong contradiction which
so often possesses us like an evil spirit. sh'
would not bring herself to show the leas
sign Of contrition. She attended to al
the preparations for his departure with ;
strange precision and care, while, all TIT
time, it would seem as though her hear
would break. yet never once approached
her husband with word or caress. The
poor fellow hung about disconsolately un
til all was ready, hoping to the last.
But when the parting moment came
and Eunice mounted the stool, as she al
ways did, to fasten his jacket about his
throat, being too diminutive in size tC
reach him in the usual way, there were nc
jokes about-her small stature, nor kisses
for her loving service. Hurst saw that in
her face which prevented any approach on
| his part, besides the recollection of that
speech of hers was still present. He said
to himself that it must be that he had
been deceived; that she had never loved
him. and was now regrt tting her life. So
as her hands dropped from their little Of
flee Of buttoning his jacket, he turned
away with a sigh.
Silently he kissed his old mother, and
silently left the cottage and strobe off.
But Eunice, wild with grief, love and re-
morse, fled to her room, and, kneeling at
the window, saw through binding tears
the boats shove off, the men cheering and
the women waving their hands to the last.
When there was no longer the single line
of vessel to be seen, she threw herself
upon the bed and gave way to passion of
sobs and tears.
Poor child, her repentance was very bit
ter. "When he comes home, o when he
comes home will humble myself ~ she
said.
Then came the terrible thought that
perhaps he might not return, that she
might have no opportunity to weep out
she could bear her agony no longer, she
arose and went down stairs to help Mary
Tregerman about her household duties
Without word the two women kissed
each other before going about their tasks,
for it was an understood feeling among
the women of the village when their faith
ers, husbands and sons went out to sea
that the sympathy between them was
deepened. whether mute or expressed.
How that day passed Eunice could not
like to break, she brought low seat to her
mother-in-law's side, and. sitting upon it.,
rested her head upon the elder woman S
lap, now and then raising her sorrow-laden
eyes to say, You think he will come back,
mother?"
II pray God he may return to us ~ was
the reply.
The fisherman had expected to return
the latter part of the following day, but by
the next morning the wind had changed,
and by afternoon raging storm swept the
coast. Evening drew on, and though the
rain had abated the wind was fearfully
high, and the sea roared like a legion of
wild beasts let loose.
Then began the terror Of the women.
From cottage to cottage they went in
groups, consulting, discussing, and weep
ing as they talked. Only Eunice was 81
lent, and never wept. What right had she
to tears? 1t seemed as though stone had
been rolled over the fountain of her tears,
and that the water should never again
gush forth, though all the while her heart
felt wilder than the sea. But there had
suddenly shaped in her mind the resolu-
ton to go out with some of the men who
were about starting to the aid of Hurst
and his party.
To think, with Eunice, was to act. The
group was now assembled in Mary Treger-
mans cottage, men and women, and among
them, Ben Holding, one of the oldest and
most experienced seamen.
Trembling with excitement, her face as
white as the sea foam, Eunice approached
Ben. "Take me with you' she implored
the old man.
"Where, my child?"
"Out in your boat, Ben, to find my hus-
band"
Heaven help us, she is going mad! Here,
will not some of you look after this poor
little one!"
But she resisted the efforts of the women
to draw her away, and chung to Ben. Lead
ing him into corner, and falling upon her
knees before him, she caught his hand in
hers and laid her cheek, like some white
blossom, in his hard. horny palm. Kneel-
ing there she told him her grief, and the
cause Of it, and how she must set out to
seek her husband and have his forgiveness,
though they should both perish hnme-
diately afterwards.
The old mans mind went back to his
early days; a cord was touched; he could
not resist the poor young wife at his feet.
He knew it was wild undertaking, but
he knew he could not say her nay.
''Well, God help you, my child, if it must
be sol" was Ben's answer as he arose to
make ready.
When it was known that Eunice was to
go with Ben to seek her husband, perfect
clamor broke forth.
s'Ben, you are crazy to think of it!-That
child in a storm that has made some of you
men pale! 1 think we are going mad to
hear it.''
But Ben silenced them all "The child
has her sacred reasons for it," said he,
''I'll not be the one to thwart her!"
Mary Tregerman was bewildered. She
had never known of the misunderstanding
between Hurst and Eunice, and how they
parted. And now she did not know what
it all meant that Eunioe should be starting
on the sea.
II love my man as well as woman