The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-04-07

ry Archibald Vane, at that time the
wealthiest and most devoted of her adj
mirers. She dPmurred. She told Vane
plainly that she should never love
again but he was deeply infatuated,
and would risk anything for the sake of
possessing her.
So they were married.
Mr.. Vane's wife was the envy and
admiration of all the country round
about Templemore. Her house was a
palace-everything about it was superb
in its appointments she had not a wish
ungratfied, and her husband was as de-
voted as lover.
But Geraldine never varied from the
cold stateliness which had fallen on her
like a mantle at the altar.
Often and often the kind, honest
heart of her husband ached for one low
ing word from the cold lips whose kisses
he would have died for but he was
true to his agreement he never COM
planned, and he did not try to force her
love.
When her child, her beautiful Annie,
was born, she softened toward her hus-
band in some slight degree. The new
and wonderful happiness which mother
hood brought her made her kinder to
the father of her child. And poor
Vane was raised to felicity altogether
unknown to him when she put the little
girl in his arm and suffered him to kiss
the white cheek he had dared to draw to
rest against his shoulder.
As Annie lived and developed char
II, a. - al
ren. Old far beyond her years, lovely
in face and gentle in temper, full of
quaint sayings, and caring for no play
mate but her mother.
AS Geraldine sat there on the sea-
shore thinking over these things l have
told you, something crept up beneath
her shawl, in the timid, coaXing way
one sees sometimes in pet animal.
Mrs. Vane folded her arms around
the little creature. and kissed the up
turned white forehead.
"What is it, my darling?" looking
down at the serious, questioning face
lifted to hers.
"Mamma, tell me truly is there any
thing in dreams ?"
"My love, do not bother your little
head with such idle things. Why do
you ask ?"
because, when you left me asleep,
mamma, / dreamed of sinking ships.
and sharp rocks that tore the great
timbers apart, and then they went
dOwn-dOwn-dOwn, and, oh! mammal!
| heard the cries of the drowning men,
and l saw their dead, pale faces, and
papa's among them ! And / screamed,
and nurse woke me and told me | had
only been dreaming -
In spite of herself Geraldine, shud.
dered. She was not in any degree SUI.
perStitious, but there was always some
thing about this child's weird iancies
which impressed one. She held the
slight form closer to her side, and even
as she did so, far over the waters came
the dull boom of gunl
at is the ship and they will be
drowned % cried Annie, starting up.
''See, see it is on fire, and it is float
ing in on the rocks below Eggstone
light /"
The child spoke truly. A great ship
an ocean steamer-wrapped in flame
and smoke, was drifting shoreward. A
projecting point of land just then hid
the steamer partially from view.
Annie sprang forward down the rocks
| like a cat, from one rock to another un-
til she was yards from the shore, and
the incoming tide, now growing fierce
and angry. was beating around her.
/ Geraldine followed with terror in her
heart.
Drenched with spray, the child was
clinging TO pointed rock, leaning over
with Wild, fascinated eyes fixed on the
| burning ship.
"It is my dream over again /" she
| said sOlemnly.
Geraldine gathered the child in her
arms, and all unmindful that the tide
was cutting them hopelessly off from the
shore, she watched the fated ship.
One mass of lurid fame, her scOrch-
ing sides hung with fated human be-
| ings, even there She could hear their
vain cries for assistance.
Suddenly the blazing hulk Teeled ami
/ shuddered for an instant the flames
seemed to die away, and the smoke low
| cred its blOod.red banner then all
waters for fathOms around seemed to
| sclntillate with liquid fire One fearful
plunge forward the ship gave, one cry
Of mortal despair went up to the black
heavens, aud the tide rushed in like
squadrons OF white horses, each oae
eager to win the race |
1t was all over, and the waters we're
full of desparing, dying men hGhtlng
vainly for that which was lost to tuem
foTever-life
Toward the rock where Geraldine
and her child still clung, drifted one of
the ill-staTred vessels passengers. One
arm disabled by blow from some Of
the burning rigging, he was fast losing
strength to battle with the waves, and
death was very uear him. The woman
tore off her silken scarf and flung il to-
ward him. Fate suffered him to catch
it, and she drew him to the rock
! 1t was yet light enough to see, and
! on that narrow shelf of rock, growing
narrower every moment for the first
time in eleven years Thane Richmond
and Geraldine Vane stood face to face
Both were pale-both were deadly
calm. He held out his right hand, and
she touched it lightly with hers.
Geraldine" he said, as if they had
been parted only day, I've shall per,
! isl hara / ~ ~ yF.a M mi Ia hat tIaur