Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-11-16

intense Instructive desire for life. 1t
was too dreadful to be drowned 10
that hole, and washed away like q
weed. Life was worth living, after
all.
Had some one said, CIR was she
dreaming, that portion OF the cave
was left uncovered by the water ?
She could not remember but now
she searched about for some indica-
ton. All, surely this was one "a
cork, a scrap of paper, lodged on the
highest shelf-fragile things which a
tide must have inevitably washed
away. With that instinct of property
which survives shipwreck and fire,
she collected her drawing materials
and other little belongings, and re-
treated with them to this possible
place of refuge, wrapped her cloak
about her, and with folded hands sat
| down TO await her fate.
The cave was full of pale green
light. 1t WIS beautiful 10 see, as the
advancing flow rose ledge over ledge
and flooded the fairy pools, how each
star flower and sea urchin, each gol-
den and crimson weed, trembled aud
qulvered as with delight at its re-
freshing touch. Each anemone threw
wide its petals and expanded into
full blossom to meet the spray bap-
tism. No mortal eyes ever looked
upon sight more charming, but its
beauty was lost to the shivering and
terrified girl.
The doorway had quite disappear
ed. Sharp spray dashed against her
dress. The drops struck her face.
She sbrank, and chung more tightly
to the rock. A prayer rose to her
lips, and through the tremulous
Light of the submerged archway, a
strange shadow began to go and
come, to move and pause and move
again. Was it a fish, or weed, or
some mysterious presence Did it
come accompanied by life or death ?
Meantime upon the rocks above,
distracted groupe were collected.
The party had come gaily back from
the "IIeads." DR.. Gray ignorant
landsman as he was. had grown un-
easy and hurried them away. Ar
rived at the "Grotto," the full extent
Of the calamity was at once evident.
The boy had mistaken the ii ie-fow
for ebb-and the only hope was that
Esther, discovering her danger in
time, had taken refuge at the cot
tage near by. Thither they flew
to search, but, as we know, 10 vain.
The sobbing girls hung distracted
ly over the cliff, listening to the hol.
low boom with which the waves
swung into the cavern beneath
sick 9ning TO think of the awful some
thing that might at any moment
wash outward with the returning
bilow. Tne gentlemen went for as.
sistance, and brought couple of
stout fishermen to the spot. But
what could anybody do?
eff tie young woman has sense
enough to climb up the right hand
corner and set still, it won't hurt
her none, perhaps" one of them said.
"Not more than two tides year
gets up there"
All 4! if Esther could only be told
that. They could but trust power
lessly TO her s,eadiness of nerve and
common-sense. She's such q wise
thing" Helen sobbed out. So they
waited.
A rattle Of wheels came from the
road. They all turned to look, and
some said perhaps it's doctor u
though of what earthly use doctor
could have been would be hard to
say
A figure was coming rapidly up
the path-a young man. No one
recognized him, until DR.. Gray start
ed forward with the face of one who
sees a ghost.
"Paul!" Good God Is it posi-
pIe?'
eyes, DOCTOR" with a hasty hand
shake. mo Their. | don't wonder
you stare"
But in heavens name how did it
como about? Where bavo you been
since we gave you up for lost p
at is long story. You shall hear
it some day. But"-rapidly-"tor-
give my impatience-whero is my
cousin I? What is the matter? ?"
There was dead silence. At last
with groan, DR.. Gray spoke:
Paul, my poor fellow, how can
tell ycul Esther is below there."
ain the 'Grotto ?"
.In the 'Grotto' Can anything
be done 2"
The young msn staggered. The
glow faded trom his tace, leaving
him ashy pale. For a moment he
stood irresolute then he reused
him self, and his voice though husky,
was firm :
ut is a frightful place still there
is no absolute danger if she KEEPS
her presence OF mind. stayed there
over tide myself once, just to see
it. Is your boat at hom ?" To one
of the fishermen.
eyes, SIR
"Fetch it around, then, as quickly
as possible" Then to DR.. Gray 81
shall row out opposite the entrance
and dive for it. If | come up inside,
it's all right, and III see that n
harm comes TO Esther TIL the water
falls and we can get her out"
'But-the risk !"
"TheIe is the risk of striking the
arch as [ rise-that is all. I'm E
good swimmer, Doctor, as you know.
| think it can be done. You can
guess" with a sort of pale smile,
show have counted upon this meet
ing; and to leave her alone and
frightened, is simply impossible. |
shall manage it-neger fear.
The boat came. They saw the
boat rowed out-Paul taking the
bearings carefully, shifting position
once, and yet again before satisfied.