The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-06-28

| we all stopped, IN CONSERVATION. anC
:, stared at Harry Norton; for it was he
, though, in the excitement OF the time, h
, had recognized none of us.
"A thousand dollars if you will resecu,
my wife, For the love ofheaven, quick
mem"
"His wife,
Alice stood erect, her hands folde,
tightly on her breast, her eyes starin!
wildly at the face of the rescued man
and her fice white with horror.
In heavens name, quick, men, Fiv,
thousand dollars for the rescue Of my
wife, Look, there she is,'
| We looked in the direction he pointed
and could see a fiuttering dress on ;
large piece of wreck, that was tossing
wildly in the heavy sea. Not a finger
was stirred.
Old Jacob Lester at length spoke.
Shaking off the grasp of the pleading
man, he pointed out to the drifting
wreck: ..--... ..-
| mot twice S, eco would save thai
piece OF fluttering calico out there. Dc
you know who you are talking tC
Harry NortonT
In an instant he recognized us, and
clasped bis hands in agony:
cold friends, kind friends, for the
love of your homes-for the memory
of old times-for the love of God save
my wife, and take all have"
There was but one mind in the boat
We glanced at Alice Lester, standing
behind him, deathlike and silent, gaz-
Ing fixedly now as the spot where the
life of her rival was rapidly drawing to
a close-and We sheered the bow cf the
boat away from the wreck. That was
our answer.
Turning to look in the direction of
the doomed woman, he saw Alice, and
recognized her Dropping on hi2 knees,
ue ciUnS 10 n7r uEeSs.
"Aliee, nlead for mel Ihave wrong
ed you: but she is innocent. Have
mercy Oh her-for the memory of Old
days, beg mercy on herl"
Starting into life at this appeal, she
grasped the tiller, and brought the
boat around once more. Then, point
ing toward the wreck she exclaimed:
''Puli fol your lives. Save her, if
you swamp the boat in the attempt"
There was DO gainsaying this order.
A few moments brought us to the wreck
on which the wife of Harry Merton was
lsshed; and q few moments more suf-
feed for the cutting OF the cords, and
the taking her on board.
She was a small delicate thing, scarce
ly more than girl. Her golden ring
let's were heavy with salt water, and
her eyes closed. The drenched gar
ments cIinging closely to her rey ealed a
shape of exquisite symmetry, so far as
could be seen in occasional slants of
moonlight.
Alec took the small, limp figure
across her lap, and used every effort to
bring her to life. TIE tiller was surren-
dered to one OF the rescued sailors,
whilst size busted herself with her Office
of love. Harry Norton once came 10
assist her, but a motion from Alice sent
him back; nor did he again venture to
Interfere.
At last we reached the shore in safety
and our passengers were hurried off to
the cottages that were ready to receive
them. Alice would not surrender her
precious burden to any one, but bore
.ieF liz ner strong arms to old Jacob
cottage. and laid her on her own bed
Harry followed at a short distance,
speaking to no one, and Stunned by all.
For more than a week did May Nor
ton-it sounded strange to call such a
fairy, little creature Mrs. Norton-stay
at the house of Jacob Lester. All the
strong love that Alice had treasured up
in her heart for Harry, was now lavish
ed On his wife. She could scarcely part
with her for a moment, and every wish
of thu sunny eyed May was gra ifiad al
most befors uttered. May Norton never
suspected the relationship that had ex-
isted between her husband and her
loving nurse and Alice carefully avoid
ed everything that could lead to a dis
closure of the fact. Harry attempted
once or twice to meet Alice, and come
to some explanation. Lut she steadily
avoided him.
b "n1 by the story Of Harry's mar
riage to Nay Norton came out in the
gIeeful talk of the girl wife. She was
the only CHILD of friend who had
helped Harry in bis struggles for for
tune The girl had become attached
to him, and when her father died ,Ieav-
ing her friendless in the far off city Of
Melbourne-where friendless strangers
were too common to attract attention
or pity, be had gone to heran made her
his wife. She loved him devotedIv:
and his old affection for Alice which
had probably never been more than
that of a brother-had beer supplanted
by an earnest love for the shrinking
girl that cluDg to him TO. protection.
At last, there was no longer excuse
for the stay of May Norton, and Harry
drove up TO the door TO take her away.
None of us had become reeoneiied 20
him; so, as there was no hand Of
friendship extended when the tempest
threw him among US, there was also
no one To bid him "God speed" at
parting. The leave-taking between
Alice and her fair guest was most af
fectionate, and May Norton promised
earnestly to visit her fair hostess agair.
Harry held out his hand with plead
ing look. and Alice placed hers in it
for moment. He was about to speak /;
but she hastily withdrew her hand,
and passed indoors. They saw each
other no more.
From that day, Alice Lester was a
changed woman. She no longer
roaned over the rocks as Of o.d, and
the sight of the waves made her shud-
der. Day by day she faded away
until, less than twelve month after
the wreck of the Columbia, there was