The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-05-26
A WOMAN AFTER ALL.

l want to see your sweet little face with
out it.''
"Thou shouldst not speak so, Charles
1t is very wrong"
why, little Dorothy Tell Inc why p
Thou knowest favor is deceitful an(
beauty is vain. We ought to bear our ties
timony against the vanity of persona
looks'
fought we9" Then tell me why it pleas
ed Providence to make you so beautiful
my small cousin ~
"Hush, Charles. will not permit thee
to speak to me in this manner" AnC
Dorothy Hicks, the little Quakeress, put
on her gravest air, and struggled valiantly
to turn the corners of her mouth down
when they wanted to turn up.
Don't look so serious, little girl. Yor
positively alarm me-" And Charles May.
nard burst into merry laugh that echoed
through the poplar-trees in the old garden
Nov tell me, Dorothy-I insist upon
knowing, and, as member of your fami-
ly, consider that have the right to DE
intormed-are you going to marry Broad.
brim ~
"Friend Ephraim is an estimable man
Charles. Thou must not speak of him
thus"
Look, Dorothy. There he is. will
quote no proverbs, but the rim of his hat
turned the corner just as spoke. Now
don't look as you intended to 90 back
to the house, for you are not going. III
tell you secret. When l was down the
river this morning found boat with a
tempting pair of oars lying in it, and |
made up my mind that Dorothy Hicks and
her wicked worldly cousin from the in.
iquitous city of New York were going
for row in that very boat this evening"
ut is Neighbor Haucock's boat"
HE will let us have it ?"
Yes. But, Charles, fear that it is
my duty"
mo, it isn't. You know you don't
want TO spend this lovely evening in the
house entertaining Broadbrim, and YOU do
want to go and watch the sunset on the
river with me-"
Dorothy looks doubtfully toward the
house and wishfully toward the river.
"'Femme qui beste est perdue,' Dorothy,
which means if we don't hurry, Graycoat
vii come out and catch u.s." Charles takes
Dorothy's hand in his, and in moment
they are on their way to the Shore
But, Charles, see that cloud in the
south. If there were to be storm ~
"But there will not Come, lump in"
The oars are lifted into the rowlocks,
Dorothy takes the management of the rud.
der into her little hands, and soon they are
gliding over the smooth surface of the wa
ter, leaving track of silvery bubbles be-
hind them. 1t is lovely evening. The
misty shadows Of twilight are gathering in
the east and i'll the west; the clouds,
blood-red and purple, are casting ROSY
light all over the broad river; IL fresh
breeze is blowing round their faces; and
waves plash against the sides Of their lit
tic boat like low monotonous music
Charles is talking about his city home.
telling Dorothy about the aunt and cousins
she has not seen for II long time, amusing
her with stories Of his college DAYS, and
his efforts to make his way in his proies-
sion, which ut first were so unsuccessful
Neither of them notices that the breeze
grows every moment stronger and fresher
and that the dark cloud in the south has
spread over the horizon, and is covering it
with darkness.
Presently low muttering growl of thun-
der startles them from the dream into
which they have fallen.
"Turn back, Charles, turn back ="
screams Dorothy. "rhe storm is upon
us!'
But there is no turning back. They
have been rowing with the tide. The riy-
er is very wide, and the increasing force of
the waves and the wind together is SO
strong that when they attempt to turn
about the water rushes into the tiny boat.
Both faces grow pale in the murky light
as they see their danger.
at is impossible; you can not do it,"
"Tcll me, Dorothy, what is that dark
object just ahead 2"
ut is Il ledge of rocks, but when the
tide comes in from the sea it will he coy
cred y and with low moan Dorothy
sinks down from her scat and covers her
face with her hands.
ave will try and land there. The tide
will not turn for an hour"
The effort is successful. The ledge is
reached, and Charles carries Dorothy to
the highest rock, and lays her gently
down.
"My love, my little love-" he cries, kiss
ing her helpless hands, "havc / killed
you ?"
"Stop y she excuims. Listen There
is a boat. 1t is coming to u.s." Dorothy
is upon her knees, and wild cry of thanks
giving comes from her lips.
Ephraim Ford has followed them. The
heavy boat with its single occupant is
strong enough to resist the waves, and as he
nears they 90 down to meet him.
Back J" he cries; III will not take but
one of you. 1t is not safe"
IN, ,r,,,, n,ol,n, ,,,;,l, L. ato,. a.,.
tionless face, wrenches away the slender
hands that cling to Charles, and clasping
Dorothy tightly in his arms, lays her at
his own feet in the bottom of his boat. No
word is spoken until they reach the oppo-
site shore. Then he takes her up again
and carries her 10 the nearest fisher hut
upon the beech.
AS they stand within the shelter of the
little cabin, Dorothy looks at him with
wild eyes, and cry of torture issues from
her white lips.
Go back go back! You will go back
for him ~
go back for your elegant city lover,
whose ignorant carelcssness had cost you
your life but for me2"
Dorothy falls on her kness and grasps
his cold hand in an agony of entreaty.
go back go back !"
promise me first that you will not mar
ry him. Swear it as the worlds people do"
Then he takes her hand and holds it up
to heaven, and waits for the oath
Dorothys lips move, but no sound comes.
She has tainted.
The tisher-wilU takes the unconscious
child and lays her on her own bed and
Ephraim Ford goes upon his Grand of
mercy with murder in his heart
The storm has lulled for II moment. 1t
comes on so gradually, stopping every now
and then as if to make the earth believe
that it were doubtful of its power. The
tempest knows its strength, and can afford