Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-14

story, and the torrent Of words poured into
traces ears. How he had loved her from q
enid, and her image had lived in his heart I;
how he had left his Western home with the
one hope OF winning her then how her
GOODNESS stung him, until he could not wait
longer to know the truth. "Grace," he con-
cluded, al will not ask my answer now
we are nearing the grounds. | desire that
every leaf in my heart should be turned to
YOU, that you may know the record of my
life."
The boat had landed, and the cliffs were
alive with revelers. Mr. Benson and Min
ME had been there some time. A noisy
shout went up at sight of thestragglers, that
echoed from hilltop to hilltop.
"General D. spoke to you, my DEAR"
said Mrs. Corydon touching Graces arm.
You seem absent-minded. Are you tired2"
No, mamma-Ah General, excuse me-"
she replied gayly, trying TO appear natural,
but went so far beyond il was remarked.
al think people usually take liberties
at picnics, and are more noisy and unre-
strained she excused herself.
eyes, | think liberties are taken when
two OF our prettiest girls are captured and
Gagged in carriages, instead of roaming free
on the boat" laughed the General.
~ NhN hd'Il uOulH utW Us SUCH udlS
will one may live them over again aud
again when the shadows fall. Croquet
grounds were levelled, and all day the busy
balls flew in tireess games The blind
folded man tried to fud his tree, and the
funny man ran in a sack. The Muligan
Guards came out impromptu, armed from
the forest arsenal. Music, song, foraging
for flowers and grasses by the more scientific,
made the day seem short when the warning
whistle from the boat echoed over the hills
that it was time to go home.
Was it any wonder Mr.. Gordon's horses
took slow pace homeward They had
been driven about the cliffs all day by one
and another, sightseeing. Their master
did not hurry them. What is time or place
to lovers Grace dreaded the ride home,
after the declaration of the morning. Would
he ask an answer Could she say yes 7
Could she say no? She began to realize
that she loved him that the wall she had
tried to build between was without founda-
ton and fast crumbling away.
Mr.. Gordon did not allude to the morning.
After pleasant summary of the picnic, he
said, drawing a volume from from his
pocket
"You asked me if | liked Longfellow.
will answer 10y reading some passages, while
YOU drive
Then followed gems from IIiawatha, Miles
Standish, and Evangeline. Grace let the
tired horses crop the bushes by the wayside
Here" said Mr.. Gordon lis dainty
poem, the Sea Divers !; this is fitting
place for its perusaL"
They were between two rocky points, sepa-
rated by a half-mile, where the road fairly
touched the sea.
" Peace be to those whose graves are made
Beneath the bright and silver sea -
Grace interrupted "Why, see the waterw
The horses were already splashing ankle
deep.
MY God !" exclaimed Mr.. Gordon ait
is the tide"
There came roll of thunder and light
ming flash. A wave, rolling inward, dashed
to the horses knees. Turning now seaward,
they saw with natural horror the water surg
ing high up the rocky point before them;
looking backward, the same view met their
astonished gaze. Rocks high and precipi-
tous on one side, relentless, hurrying waters
on the other
Haste, darling our only hope is the
-ocks!" gasped Mr.. Gordon, leaping out,
catching Grace quickly from the carriage,
and setting her above the water oil what
seemed an impossible cliff. 1t was the
work of moment to set the now frightened
horses free. Then he sprang to Graces side.
The horses with great difficulty climbed the
almost perpendicular rocks. Mr.. Gordon
made Intellectual attempts to get up higher,
but could not, with Graee's weight but, as
the horses strug. led up he caught the tug
straps of the harness, and after desperate
struggle, when it seemed as though they
would all be dashed into the now seething
water below, they gained more elevated
position; further progress was impossible,
and here the patient horses breasted the
storm, and probably saved the lives with
them. The wind and rain was fearful the
sea, lashed to fury, roared and surged as
though battling with the other elements
The tide crept to the feet of our helpless
party, and threatened to overwhelm them;
the carriage had been swept away aud
probably broken to atoms. Mr.. Gordon
stood with one arm around the neck of his
faithful horse, the other held Grace. She
behaved the woman, neither screamed nor
tainted, but stood awaiting destiny as we all
do, whether we realize it or no, on sea or
land. We cannot shake it off !; we must
live it. Why shrink when He who holds
life's sands makes no mistakes There
were few words. For an hour there could
be none. Then the rained ceased and the
wind began to abate, though the sea con-
tinued its wildness as though unwilling to
give up the contest.
"Grace," at last whispered Mr. Gordon,
"if we are swept from here | shall be your
murderer | should not have been SO care
less. Can you forgive me ?"
at is no more your fault than mine. And
Frank -
How the name thrilled the listener; it
seemed as though the roar of the sea was
but AN echo of his heart beats.
"Yes, darling; go on"
81 was just thinking | could not live
were saved and you lost. Now know |
love you, so you have my answer She
raised her lips to meet his in long, soul kiss.
The clouds broke away, and by the light
of the moon they could see the water was
receding
Truly, we can say, Thy waves and thy
billows are gone over me, ," said Mr.. Gordon.
Yes, and | cried by reason of my afilic-
tion unto the Lord, and He heard me.
The winds and the sea obey him.. There is
hope for us yet. We have only to wait un-
Ill the tide goes out and anxious friends will
come to our rescue"
Grace, darling feel like renewing my
covenant with God, A year ago | made up
my mind to enter the ministry, and spend
my life and fortune in His service. Are you
willing to join me? 2"
80 Frank, to think thought you gam
bier and profaner of Gods name when
you are so much better than |. No, | am
unworthy"
Ills enough; we will do what we can
for the Master"
The horses grew uneasy, and inclined to
descend. Grace tore leaf from blank
book Mr., Gordon had in his pocket and wrote
on it,
1--WE are safe ON the rocks.
FRANK AND GRACE;
and with her shawl-pin fastened it to one
of the brides. The horses crept and slid
down the rocks, neighing as if 10 lead the
way. They disappeared in the darkness.
When the storm began, the suspense at
the hotel was distressing. Minnie and Mr..
Benson had arrived some time before. The
story OF the rocky points went from lip to
lip; there had been accidents there before.
A party of gentlemen were soon ready to
assist in the search. Mrs. Corydon would
and did accompany. They made their way
with difficulty, as near the rocky point as
possible. Soon carriage-wheel was dashed
upon the shores, then cushion; hope was
well-nigh turned to despair The hours
went by-those terrible hours of waiting.
Then they heard the snorting of horses,
which, with animal instinct, sought their
mates, aud were easily caught. BY the
light of the lantern the scrap of paper was
discovered, and hope returned to crushed