The Morning herald., 1878-11-14
Aunt ut: Mary.
BY LII

"Mary, the Pride Of the Lily; ship
aIoyw tal
How Aunt Mary started as she heard
the familiar shout of her lover? She had
been for some time anticipating his retarn
from the East Indies, and yet his arrival
was unexpected, for the homeward voyage
had proved one of the quickest the Lily
had ever made. and thsre were no 81 'ctric
telegrsps in those days. fa 4 g91
Aunt Mary was very fond of Captain
Helsardt. @ t.J ee. y .,., ~,
When boy he had saved her from
drowning, and she hau loved him ever
since. He was so frank, 70 oper, hearted.
And she? Well, as girl she, was very
p city, but as she grew up she became
really beautiful. Hers was face which
seemed created for poet to describe. 1t
would have served az model for pain
ter. a. & 57as
But Aunt Mary wss more than beautiful;
che was good.
Captain Helsardt was not the only one
who loved Aer; we were all rivals Of bis
for she was a maiden whom everybCds
adored' y=s -. .f,.,-. ac.. ssn .ff.r 1e
Her smile brought sunshine, into LIE
dullest family; wherever she appeared all
seemed peace and happiness. '"'" l5a l,' to,
We were not much surprised when we
learned that the captain had asked her to be
his wife, and that she had consented to his
wish. r lpoGa
IF there was man whom we should have
chosen for husband, it was Captain Hell
sardt. . b. % as.l 4 ss f atae
But he had to make another voyage to
India before the wedding took place.
However, the Lily was good strong ship,
and he was brave and skillful car rtain.
One voyage more, and then he would
give up the seafaring profession. Only
another voyage. -
Aunt Mary wished him not to 60. With
noistened eyes and faltering lips she ex-
pres cd her fear that if they were separ-
ated before their marriage, they would
never meet again. She knewit was foolish
but she could not help it. ~ rl
Captain Helsardt laughed at her misgiv'
ings. He was not afraid Of the sea! Not
he, indeed. '51e - ~s% 7s 7Tga !:
So Aunt, Mary 'strove to smile, but !
could that she was far from being reassured.
She did not wish to make her lover miser>
able. ....E,.s ,..,-.. d. i't 'S,.,
When the hour Of parting came, she
could scarcely tear herself from. his arms.
As the Lily sailed proudly out Of the port,
she waved her hankerchief. 1t was an,
swered by her lover from the deck of his
vessel. .l..., ...t -
Atthat momenta passing cloud ebscured
the briiliancy Of the sunshine.
Was 1t an omen of danger?
Il r. u
The Spring and Summer had passed
away, and the woods were deco ated with
the rich mellow :ints of Autumn, when the
news arrived that Captain Helsardt was
coming home.
Coming homet How Aunt Nary's heart
leapt for joyi Never had I seen her look
so happy. a-gai ..t.,a ydA
He was coming back. Howshe cried in
very delight! She couldn't help it. The
would had again become full of hope and
sunshine to her. T ~ T. ~ i2.
1t was night when Captain Helsardt ar
rived in port, but he did no. wait for day.
light. The moment his ship was cafe at
anchor he was rowed to land, and shortly
afterwsrd was hastenIg, as fast az post
chaiss and pair OF gallant greys could
bear him, to town.
How impatient he was, to be sure
The minutes seemed like hours, and the
hours like days. '...
But the house was reached at last.
"Would he have some refreshment9"
Hang the refreshments! He wanted to
see Aunt Mary; to give the old, familiar
hail: MARY, the Pride ofthe Lily ship
ahoy p
But how silent seemed the house in
which his idol resided
The blinds were down, and yet it was
midday.
What did it mean?
His hand trembled as it touched the
knocker. His heart began TO be filed
with strange, mysterious dread.
The door is opened.
Iu a moment he understands it all.
Aunt Mary Is dead.
The fever had seized her in the midst Of
her joyous anticipation, and her cold, life
less corpse was lying in one of the rooms
above.
How Captain Helsardt bore his great
trial, know not. He never spoke to any
one, but sat night and day by the dead
body of the woman he had loved.
They brought him food, but he would
not partake Of it.
At the funeral his ghastly pallor terri-
fed US. He was as man from whose heart
every hope had become forcibly wrenched.
He did not weep. His grief was too
heavy for tears. All he said was "Gone,
goner
After the funeral he was missing. We
sought for him in vain. Nobody could
discover the least trace of him.
Years passed away, and | had becom' =.
woman. r..,.. :.
"Come," said little Nellie, 'let us visit
Amt Morv,a uravpo t.H--