The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-08-22
Mamie Gray's Sacrifice.

sand at her feet, few water-sta1neQ
lines, and yet as the sea breeze waited it
hither and thither, a gloomy sadness
seemed to cloud that fair young face.
The whole landscape which, but a
moment before, was Lit with the resplen-
dent rays of the departing sun, now ap-
peared cold and gray to that lone watcher
on the beach.
A sorrow seemed pending over her,
and for a while in sad thoughtfulness,
she watched the futtering paper as if
she could find some solution of that
strange mood that possessed her. Sud |
denly the breeze grew stronger, and the |
neglected scrap would have been whirled |
away to find resting place beneath the |
oceans waves, had not Mamie Gray |
moved to rescue it from its insecure |
resting place. Stretching out her hands |
she raised the forsaken waif from the |
sand, and shielding it from the pitiless |
wind, she glanced carelessiy at it. A
gleam of interest awoke at the first
glance; the penmanship was not famll-
lar, but the words,-how strange!
From the broken, disjointed sentences,
she CLEANED news of a magnificent bridal
in the distant city of W. The descrip-
ton was so vivid and glowing that in
her eagerness to learn the names of the
happy couple, she forgot the sad unrest
that had brought cloud to her brow
but a moment before; but it was only
for a brief space, and then she realized
why she had been so sad and and lone
some all the long bright afternoon.
Only one clause, one name, and yet 1t
had power to drive every particle
color from the fair rounded cheek,-tof
send a wild, frightened look into those
sweet brown eyes, and to cause the ruby
lips to grow pale and culver with an
guish. The whispering sea breezes lit
tie knew the sorrow they brought to
Mamie's loving heart, when they bore
to her feet this cruel bit OF gossip; for
it was news that would drain her life of
all its sweetness, and make the future a
dreary burden.
From the gossiping maiden's letter,
she learned of the marriage of one who
was dearer to her than life itself. Wal
ter Grayson, the idol of her summers
dream, was lost to her, and as she thought
of all the long, long years to come during
which she must bear her sorrow alone, 1t
cannot be wondered that she almost
prayed fot freedom from her suffering.
| One year before she was merry-hearted
maiden, living in her cottage home, not
| far from where she now bemoaned her
fate, with no thought of care, but to-
night, how sad the change! The glo-
rious sunset, the glittering foam of the
surf. all the beauties in nature were
lost to her in contemplation of this one
great sorrow of her life. She could not
weep, so deep was her emotion; and as
she sat there in mute anguish, gazing
forth on the water, the evidence of the
tumult raging within could be plainly
traced on pallid brow and cheek.
Oh, how short had been her dreams of
happiness 1t was only in the early
summer time Walter Grayson first came
to the little country village for rest and
a few months fishing. His tickle, un-
stable nature was soon attracted by the
lovely grace and modesty which Mamie
possessed; but no thought of more than
merely relieving a few of the tedious
summer DAYS ever entered his head.
Was not his bethrothed, Ida Payne, at
some summer resort Willing away her
time by flirting, and why should he not
enjoy himself as well? If in the end
Ida's thousands came to replenish his
pockets, it mattered not though dozen
country girls's heart were broken, if he
only could enjoy himself. So by all
the arts in his power. he taught the
tender, trusting heart to love the tall,
handsome stranger. who wished only to
use her love as pastime, and then,
! when tired of it, to cast it aside as a worth
less bauble.
He succeeded we'll in his intentions,
and when the leaves were tinged with
h
away leaving Mamie miserable at his
cruel faithlessness.
In the early twilight she sat alone
on the barren shore, needless of the
cold, dark gloom that was gathered
about her.
A boat rounded distant point, but
she headed it not, until wild cry fol
help aroused her to think of sorrow
other than her, S. The occupants of the
approaching boat were a man and
guests at the Hall, who had been to the
town below and were returning with the
sail-boat; but what madness to think o.
J sailing, when the sea is rough! The
t slender craft rocked to and fro by the
/ cruel winds, and again that cry for aie
| rang out on the still evening air. Tht
, boat drifted nearer; why do they ap
J pear SO helpless? can it be that he ha
away on the tide.
| Mamie hastened to the place where sh,
thought the boat might drift to land
3 She reached the spot just as the daint.
craft was overturned, but living as sh
: had from a child by the sea, she was al
| 70
1 rolling waves she struck out boldly fo
/ the place where she had last seen tn
t dark blue boating dress of the woman
l From the first the man had nobly strug
: gled to rescue his companion, but the rud
wave had torn them apart, and veal
from his exertion he simply drifted witt
: the tide nearer shore.
: Grasping firmly the dress of thu
woman, as she arose for the second time
Mamie sought bravely to reach the land
but 1t was hard breasting the wave
y encumbered as she was, and when sh
! recognized in the handsome face of tn
man her false lover, it was the last bite
q drop in the cup she was forced to drain
q Giving the form of her rival push fol
. ward, she lost control of her limbs ant
n sank beneath the seething foam. TIL
c | CTu0l waves DOT6 tuc luSSuSlUle 10TH
o the wife to the feet of her husband; bu
: Walter Grayson saw only the white fac
: of the one he had so cruelty deserted
upturned in the dusky twilight, an
: then the returning wave swept it back i
: its clutches.
/ When the morning sunlight came, tn
+ lonely watchers collected on the beac
n found the dead body of Mamie Gray
+ But the life thus sacrificed was not fol
!. gotten by one at least, during all tn
f years of his future life. All the dres
f was burned from Grayson's life by thi
IS fearful lesson, and when he appears i
= society it is hard to recognize him in tn
4 sill ver-haired man whom all delight
!, honor; and, 1 think, in her home o
Is high, Mamie smiles her forgiveness dow
o. upon him, and in glorious Hereafte
Q all will be made right.