The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-12-14

talking about, so she kept silence, and
tried to wear brave face.
Left alone, she found with some sur
prise that she didn't want to cry. ALI
the morning, she had felt that to creep
away somewhere and weep, and weep
her heart out, would be so good but
tears are contrary things. She sat
there, dulled into calm that was al
most content. She was thinking OF the
time when Paul had visited the Island,
and climbed about that very cave. On
the very bookshelf where she sat, he
might perhaps have rested. She liked
to think so. 1t brought him nearer.
A little later, she put her sketch
away, and crept down to broad edge,
where, through the arch, the exquisite
skyline was visible. The surf tumbled
and chimed like distant bells. She lay
as if fascinated, her eyes fixed upon the
shining horizon. Somewhere far be-
yond it was the spot where the good
ship which held her all went down.
Down whereP Her imagination ran
riot. Cleaving the inward depths to
the inmost sanctuary of ocean, she saw
the golden sands, the shadowy green
light percolating through miles of wa
ter-the everlasting repose which reign
ed there beyond the reach of storm,
wind or hurricane. She tried to fix the
wandering images, and to think of it as
a haven no less tranquil than the quiet
mounds under which are pillowed be-
loved heads on earth. But it would not
stay. Thoughts of tempest and fury,
of chill piping winds whipping the
foam from the waves, of roar and tu-
multi, and a heaving wilderness of dark
waters, came over her; and through all
the refrain of Jean Ingelow's pathetic
strain mixed and blended
And shall see thee no more.
Till the sea gives up its dead.
Great drops forced themselves be.
meath the closed eyelids, and she sob.
bed: go Paul, Paul! how can bear
ftp"
And then she thought, as she had
thought before, how glad she should be
to die! Life didn't seem desirable any
longer, and it would be blessed to be
with Paul, even at the bottom of the
ocean. And thinking thus, the long
eyelashes dropped more and more heav.
lily; peace fell upon the brow and lips
she was asleep-asleep, and dreaming
a sweet, joyful dream. How long she
slept she never knew. She awoke with
a sensation of intense cold. The spell
of slumber was so strong upon her that
for moment she did not realize what
had taken place. The cave was half.
full of water. Her feet and the hem Of
her dress were already wet; and the
roar of the waves beneath the hardly
distinguishable archway told that the
tide had surprised another victim and
already the avenue of escaped was bar
red.
Was this the answer to some unspok.
en- prayer?
The thought flashed over her. HaJ
she really prayed for death? Here il
was close at hand, and she was con.
scious of no gladness- only an instinct,
i've desire for life. 1t was too dreadful
to be drowned in that hole, and washed
away like weed. Life was worth iv
ing, after all.
Had somebody said, or was she
dreaming, that a portion of the cave
was left uncovered by the water? She
could not remember, but now she
searched about for some indication
All, surely this was one-a cork, SCRAP
of paper, lodged on the higher shelf
fragile things which tide must inevita,
bly, have washed away. With that in.
stinct of property which survives ship
wreck and fire, she collected her draw
ing materials and other little belong
ings, and, retreating with them to THU
possible place of refuge, wrapped he1
cloak about her, and, with folded hands
sat down to await her fate.
The cave was full of pale green light
It was beautiful to see, as the advanc
ing flow rose, ledge over ledge, ant
flooded the miry pools, how each star
flower and sea-urchin, each crimson
and golden weed, trembled and quiv
cred as with delight at its refreshing
touch. Each anemone threw wide it
petals and expanded into full blossom
to meet the spray baptism. No morta
eye ever looked upon sight more charm
ing; but its beauty was lost to the shiv
ering and terrified girl.
The doorway had quite disappeared
Sharp spray dashed against her dress
The drops struck her face. She shranl
and chung more tightly to the rock. /
prayer rose to her lips; and through
the tremulous light Of the submerge,
archway strange shadow began to g,
and come, to move and pause, and NOV