The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-04-06

gelow's pathetic strain both mixed and
blended.
"And shall see thee no more
Till the sea gives up its deadY'
Great drops forced themselves beneath
the closed eyeids, and she sobbed out 80,
Paul. Paul how can bear it?
And then she thought as she had thought
| before, how glad she would 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 dark, deep ocean. And
thinking thus the long eyelashcs dropped
more and more heavily; peace fell upon
brow and lips; she was asleep asleep and
dreaming a sweet joyful dream. She awoke
with a sensation of intense cold. The spell
| OF sumber was so strong upon her that for a
| moment she did rot realize what had taken
place. The cave was full of water. Her
| feet and the hem of her dress were already
wet The roar of the waves beneath the
hardly distinguishable archway told them
that the tide had surprised another victim,
and already the avenue of escape was
| barred.
Was this the answer of some unbroken
prayer.
The thought flashed over her. Had she
really prayed for death Here it was, close
at hand, and she was conscious of no glad
ness-only distinctive desire for life. 1t
was too dreadful to be drowned in the hole
and washed away like a weed. Life
was worth living after all.
Had somebody said or was she dreaming
that portion of the cave was untouched by
water? She could not remember, but now
she searched about for some indication. Ah
surely this was one-a cork, scrap of pa.
per lodged on the higher shelf, fragile
things which tide must inevitably have
washed away. With that instinct of prop.
erty which survives shipwreck and fire, she
collected her drawing materials and Other
little belongings, and retrested to this posi-,
hle place of refuge, wrapped her cloak abou,
her, and with folded hands sat down to await
her fate.
The cave was full of pale, green light. l,
was beautiful to see, as the advancing flow
rose, ledge after ledge, and flooded the fairy
pools, how each star flower and sea urchD
each crimson and golden weed, tremblec
and quvered as with delight at its refresh
ing touch. Each anemone threw wide it
petals and expanded into full blossom to
meet the spray baptism. No mortal ey,
/ l,,l-ol -;
but its beauty was lost to the shiverng anC
terrified girl.
The doorway had quite disappeared
Sharp spray dashed against her dress. Th
!, drops struck her face. She shrank and cun,
more tightly to the rock. A prayer rose t,
her lips; and through the tremulous lgh
of the submerged archway strange shadoy
began to go and come, to move and paus
} and move again. Was it fish or weed, O
some mysterious presence ? Did it come ac
companied by life or death?
Meanwhile on the rocks above, distract
ed group were collected The party ha
come gayly back from the Heads" Nj
Gray, ignorant landsman though he was, ha
grown uneasy, and hurried them away. Al
rived at the "Grotto," the full extent of tn
: calamity was at once evident. The boy ha
mistaken the tide-how or ebb-and tn
only hope was that Esther, discovering he
danger in time, had taken refuge at the co,
tage near by. Thther they flew; but, q
we know, in vain.
The sobbing girls hung distractedly owe
the cliff, listening to the hollow boom wit
t which the waves swung into the cavern be
meath, sickening to think of the awful some
| thing which might any moment wash ou
ward on the returning billow. The gentle
men went for assistance and brought COZ
pie of stout fishermen to the spot. But VIII;
could anybody do?
''If the young woman has sense enough I
climb up to the right hand corner and sc
still it wont hurt her none, perhaps, one {
them said. 'Not NOR, than two tides yes
gets up there"
"Oh if Esther had only been told that
They could but trust powerless!y to h,
steadiness of nerve and common sense.
"She's such wise thing" Helen sobbe
out. So they waited
A rattle of wheels came from the roa,
They all turned to look and some one sal,
perhaps its doctor" Though what eartl
.. ly use a doctor could have been would |
hard to say,
a figure was rapidly coming up the pa,
Nnbal,,
till DR.. Gray started forward with the ia,
of one who sees a ghost. paul Goo
God Is it possible"
, "Yes, doctor, with basty hand shak
, "No other. / don't wonder you stare"
| "But in heavens name how has it con
about? Where have you been since v
gave you up for lost ?"
. "It's long story. You shall hear
r some day. But-rapidly-forgive my in
e patience-where is my cousin, and what
: the matter?"
There was dead silence. At last with
T groan, DIR, Gray spoke
"Paul, my poor fellow, how can tell 70
Esther is below there"
e ain the grotto ~
SIN the grotto, Can anything he done
The young man staggered The glow fad
> from his face, leaving him ashy pale
Il moment he stood irresolute, then he arol
, ed himself, and his voice, though husl
, was firm
"a |
n "lt is frightful place; still there is
). absolute danger if she keeps her presence
mind. sta;d there over a tide once m
self just to see it Is your boat at hand
! to one of the fishermen.
!. "Yes sir"
/. "Fetch it around then, as quickly as p
:. sible." Then to DIR. Gray: ~ shall r.
/. there opposite the entrance and make al
! for it, If come up inside it is all rig
e and I'll see that no harm happens to Estl