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

Within the cave Esther watched the
strange, moving phantom which darkened
the entrance. The splash reached without
startling her, and in another instant fash
ing object whirled down and inward, and
rising, the waves revealed face--a white
! face with wet hair. In the pale, unearthly
glow it wore The aspect of death. 1t drew
nearer; she covered her face with her hands.
Was thesea giving up its dead, that here, in
this fearful solitude, the vision Of her drown
ed Paul confronted her-or was she going
mad
Another second, and the hands were with.
drawn. The peril, the excitement of the
past hour, the strangeness and uureality of
the spot, combined to kindle within her an
unnatural exalation of feeling. Had she
not craved this ? If they met as spirits in
| this land of spirits, was she to be afraid of
Paul. or shrink from him? No, a thousand
times no.
The face was close upon her. With rapid
strokes it drew near--a form emerged-it
was upon the rocks. With shiek, she held
voice ibid dead men speak?) cried "Quen-
ie Queenie
The old pet name 1t was Pauls ghost,
| but none the less Paul 81 know ysu are
dePd," she said, "but I'm not afraid of you,"
and felt unterriied as strong arm embodied
her. But the breast upon which her
cheek rested was throbbing with such vivid
| pulsations that, half reused, she began to
shudder in a terrible blended hope and fear,
and she shrank away from his touch.
| "Oh, Paul are we both dead, or only youo
Is this the other world?
"Why darling" gently seating her OH the
rock, "you are in a dream. Wake up, love
look at me, Esther. am not dead man,
but your living Paul. Feel my hand-it is
warm, you see. God has restored us to each
other and now, if his mercy permits, we
will never be parted again.
"paul PAUL. cried Esther, convinced at
last.
They were very happy. Prosy folks could
they have looked in would have seen only
two exceedingly wet young people seated
high on rocFy ledge, receding waters rip
plng about their feet, but they, all agow
with life and happiness, scarcely knew OF
the lapse of time before the shimmering line
of light appeared at the mouth of the cave
With blessed tears streaming down her
cheeks Esther heard his story how, picked
up-the sole survivor of that dreadful wreck
by an India-bound trader, her lover had
lain delirious many weeks in far land un
able to tell his name or story and in par
recovered, started at once for home and land
ed in advance of the letters which told of hi.
safety. And 50 they had met here mid cor
al and tangle and alemondine as she hearc
the story of his peris Esther clasped tn,
hand she held as if she never again coulC
let it go.
That provdent little Helen-bless he
heart 'builded better than she knew in
having such a store of damp sandwitche
and refreshing wine for those drenched an'
happy lovers. And when at last the reced
ing tide opened again the rocky gate and tn,
vista of the sea tinged with rosy sunset, anC
Esther, aided by strong arms, left her pris
on it was with glow like the sunset upol
her cheeks, and in her eyes such radianc
, of happiness that it fairly dazzled the for
lorn, bedragged group above. Mrs. Ora,
embraced her ;fondly and fell into fit O
long deferred Mysteries. The boys executes
a war dauce of congratnation, and Helel
and Isabel laughed and cried for joy. An
as Esther turned with Paul for last look q
the scene of their deliverance the chime
and murmur of the sea seemed full of bless
ng-the blessing of the dear Lord who ha
compassion upon her weakness, restoring he
: to life, and to that life its lost joy. Wit
t thankful heart she went her way.