The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-07-04


adrian, stamped on her garments lii
wreath of roses"
"a small clue, but it may bring jov
10 some troubled heart"
Seventeen years had passed, and Ad-
rian, the little sea-waif had budded into
the full bloom Of wOmanhOOd.
Seated on a rock by the moaning sea,
she was gazing dreamily at the tossing
waves, as they dashed their spray al
most at her feet.
och sea, beautiful sea-" she muir
INJURED, "tis seventeen years tonight
since your waves washed the frail life
ashore, and i'm all that time no sign TO
solve the mystery which envelopes me.
Is there not beyond your waters wide
some heart mourning for the love which
| might give?"
And she clasped her hands appealing
ly, waving them to the far-off shore.
But the sea gave no answer; only bound
ed on in its untamed freedom.
"Adrian."
The voice sounded over the cliffs,
but looking up, there stood Wlmot
Clyde on the peak above. In moment
he was seated on the rock by her side.
"You look like a sea-nymph, Adrian,
he said, with your white face, glitter
ing hair, and mournful eyes, peering so
wistful over the waves"
She glanced up without speaking.
"Ab | see the trouble" he contin-
ued. "Why not accept your fate, for
the sea will never answer, or solve the
mystery you are seeking"
"Wilmot-' aud her voice rang out
earnestly, "the sea will answer"
GLOW can it?" he asked ,awed by her
tone.
81 don't know how, but my heart
tells me that some time on this surf
beaten shore the mystery will be solved
"But, Adrian, if you would only ac-
cept the love offer you so freely now.
Only be willing to tighten my home
with your winsome smiles"
"NOt yet, Wilmot."
"When shall l hope?" And he
clasped one fair little hand a prisoner
in his own broad palm.
"When the sea answers. 'Tis seven
teen years tonight, and the waves may
answer soon" she replied.
"And them"
"Then | will choose from the two
lives offered"
"Be it so, and in the meantime |
shall not despair. But there is a storm
coming, Adrian. Allow me tocOnduct
you bome."
And the two arose and started toward
the little village sleeping so costly and
quiet behind the hills. He, handsome
as an Adonis-she, perfect type of
womanhOod.
Midnight, and again storm was ra-
ging at Rocky Point, snch as many of
its inhabitants had never witnessed.
Fires were cleaning along the coast,
and the signal gun was asking for aid.
adrian, for Gods sake come back !
Your life is too precious to be imperlled
here"
IL cannot 60" she answered, but her
voice was not heard in the din and roar
around them.
"You must come"
81 refuse to obey, Wilmot. The ship
is doomed to 60 down, but some life
may be spared" And she darted from
her lovers grasp.
Halt. an hour later, she was seen max
ing heroic exertions to rescue a body
that the waves were bufteting about.
"Will he live, Doctor?"
"With care and skillful nursing he
may recover, but his life hangs on a
thread"
How that frail thread was watched.
How every wish was gratified. And
how AdIian's heart yearned towards
the pale stranger that her own fair
hands had saved.
And afterward, when the life which
seemed Pickering in its socket burned
up brightly, and the light of reason had
come TO the calm. stern eyes, Adrian
felt thankful. But not yet was she
fully rewarded
''Did some one call Adrian?" NUT
tered the sick man.
''Yes sir, that is my name" and the
fair girl glided to the bedside.
"Who are you?" he exclaimed, and
such a wild look came into his eyes that
she feared insanity would again hold
sway.
81 am Adrian, she said simply.
"Adrian, my wife, come back at last ~
And he reached out to embrace her.
Mr.. Chiffon stepped forward, saying
calmly, "Do not excite yourself, sir
there is some mistake" O..
"But years ago ! had wife and
child, Adrian. They sailed from Liver.
pool to New York, and the vessel was
reported wrecked, and all the passen'
gers lost
"what was the name Of the vessel? 2
inquired Mr.. Chiffon.
1.-The Princess Maria"
Father, fatherr' sobbed Adrian
sinking on the sick mans breast. AnC