The Morning herald., 1876-09-20
ANNIE MARSHALL,S DESTINY
BY FRANCES ACTON.
CHAPTER I.
wA1rINa FOR THE sHIP.

CHAPTER l.
WAITING FOR THE SHIP.
"pve frightened you, little one," be
sold in strangely tender voice. I'm
1o, rongh in nv ways and blunt in my speech,
and may be I've been 700 sudden for you, u,-|
hut | love you tender and true,-l 40, In,
deed, dear. and I've watched -and-.-and
waited for many long year for the minute
when could clasp you to my breast and
call you wife-and l may now, maynt
darling" a.
me think little,-it's so sudden;p
"Av that's tive been sudden.-
think over it, dear; I. think you'll say yes.
I've watched you many time, with your
loving ways, and listened to your pretty
voice. and I've said to mysel-Of course,
she'll love me when ask her; she cant
know any one else thafll be to her what !
will, And YOU don't, do you, darlingY
Oh speak to me, Annie Speak, If it's
only to dash out the life and hope that ILLS
my breast or if you can't say anything, II
You're frightened and shy like, just slip
YOUR hand into mine, and let your dumb
fingers speak for you" ~,
SPm not fit," faltered the poor girl II
never thought Of this,-1 shouldn't make
YOU a good wife, Matthew"
"Time'll show that, dear: it is bar
gain 2"
She made no answer, except to put her
hand slyly into his brown palm ; it was
we'll II was too dark for him to see her
white face. He gave a gasp, which was
almost sob of joy, but when ne would
have folded her in his arms she shrank
back with slight shiver: ~
"Let me co." she pleaded. LET me go
home to Auntie Joan." :,
"Not auntie any more, DEAR" ne SAID,
tenderly adjusting her cloak. shell be
YOUR sister from this time. Go home, my
birdie, you're all trembliog,-go home,
and pray that yonder coming storm may
do no harm to any poor soul at sea-"
1t was strange betrothal the flashing
lightning played upon Annie's face as she
turned away, and the rumble Of the thuh-
der drowned the tender words that her
lover sent after. Her lover! The dash,
ing sea seemed to roar it into her ears, ana
the whistling wind to shrek it around her
head as she hurried along. Matthew Pen
gely her lover soon to be her husband,
and David coming back over the sea
hoping to call her his own. 1t was q
strange dilemma for young girl to be in
one of those sudden turns of fortune 8 wheel
which dashes the cup of happiness from
the lips. and places the bitter draught o.
duty there ins cad and she would 40 hel
duty,-she would give Matthew all hel
obedience, her devotion,-but her love, on
never? no. that she must bury for evel
deep in her own heart
Matthew looked long and earnestly afte1
her as she went slowly away, his hear
beating high with joy. What mattered tt
him the stormy sea, the cloudy SKY, ane
the prospect Of night Of discomfort out Q
doors Annie had promised to be hi
without murmur, without word.
"Ay," he aaid to himself, without
word, she never made any, fuss;-l wisi
she'd kissed me though-she was so .quie,
and shy. Eh, my darling, I'll soon breai
her Of that? What have I done that
should be so happy? Thank God for it :
and he reverently lifted his cap ia mo
nent Of grateful joy, and sent up heart
ielt G thanksgiving for his new happiness
The sky grew darker and darker, and tn
sea lashed itself into white team on tn
rocks below him, but he needed it not il
his happy dream, till the sound Of gu
came booming over the water. Then tn
stern voice Of duty came back again, an
the lover was forgotten.
"A ship" he muttered. "and comm
right in, by the sound, Lord help 'em
While he spoke another gun flashed an
loared, and moment afterwards blu
hsht cleaned out from the vessel, and h
saw her drifting right in. She came upo
he pltiless rocks with her helpless crew.
a a. MS very feet it seemed, she was 30 neal
40 tire the little beacon, always kept read
to alarm the town, was the work Of mt
@ent, and ere he had time to take an
,ul1her measures, hurrying feet came Il
p natds him through the darkness. and
paoel OF voices rose upon the wind. Ha
me population Of the place were astir, read
spneip,-the men to risk their lives If nee
w. the women to succor and restore an
VINO might be saved. It was no uncon
.nI Mon scene on those rocks with the wind
sa4I quarter. Boats were not to be thougl
u, out the station was rich in the possess
y oi al the appliances for saving Ii
~ on m shlpwreck, and the lines and rop'
ere soon in readiness.
\ :, What's the ship2' said an old man, Il
T svaer OF David Bailey, pre1sing -lorwar
fof 81 Gods sake, tell M l'ss
.,o,ha - doubt !h. shss ths asUa ~ r. r.