The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-08-01


away her priceless treasure, for, in he
bitterest moments, Alice exonerated he
lover from blame. Her own pride anC
her sisters scheming had, she was sure
done all the mischief.
Marlpits, where Colonel Pentwell anG
his daughter resided, was town of com
paratively mordern growth, situated il
wide, deep valley, many of the houses
being built on the side of the hills.
Among its peculiarities was the reser
voir for supplying the town with water
"a large circular mound on hill, orig
inally above the town, though the houses
were now creeping up to it.
There had lately Deen ominousrumor'
of the insecurity of the reservoir. Some
said the side nearest the town was giving
way; that the severe frosts of the past
winters had damaged the stone and
earthworks, and there were many who
predicted that one fine morning would
find the town drowned.
1t was Sunday, and as Cslenel Pent.
well and his two daughters entered the
church they regularly attended, a ray Of
sunlight fell upon the old soldiers white
hair, and lighted up his youngest daugh.
ter's pretty face, on which the expression
of pride had given place to look OF
humble faith and resignation such as il
had never worn before.
She had at that moment forgotten
George Ashbury and the love SO lightly
transferred; had forgotten her sister
all that troubled and oppressed her. So
complete was her abstraction, that it was
almost with start of pain she heard
George Ashbury speak to her, and hesi-
tated while he took her listless hand.
The Colonel invited his intended SON.
in-law to return to dinner with them as
usual, and the party went home, George
walking, as was his custom, by Alice's
side; but there was a constraint felt by
both. If Alice had not heard those words
in the garden, all might have been well,
for George already repented his apostasy,
and desired to return to his old al
legiance.
Awkwardly and painfully the day
passed with them all. They had scarcely
reached home when storm, unequaled
in violence for years past, burst over the
town. Lightning and thunder flashed
and pealed incessantly; the rain fell in
sheets rather than in showers; the wind
howled and dashed itself against houses,
churches and public buildings, as though
on mission of destruction. George and
Alice sat apart, each with book before
them, but ever and anon glancing up at
the furious elements, till reading be-
ao,.,o r1rotanca
Still the storm RACES without, the
streets are flooded, and the water rushes
down them in streams.
Earlier than their usual custom the
family retired forIthe night-a feeling of
subdued anxiety, feeling of coming
misfortune, upon them all.
It must have been past midnight when
the sleepers were awakened by the house
rocking as though shaken from its foun-
dation.
George Ashbury, who had remained
for the night, had scarcely slipped on
some clothing, when woman's shrek
rose above the roar of the water, and he
ran out of his room, to be met almost at
the door by the Colonel and Alice, who
were hurrying to the room whence the
scream proceeded.
With word or two of concern and
wonder, he followed them to Mrs. Lay
toms apartment. As they opened the
door, the light was extiuguished by a
gust of wind; yet, for an instant, ithad
revealed an open window, and white
figure standing near it.
The noise had ceased, and before an
other light could be obtained, the room
was filled with rush of water. Crop
ing in the dark, George managed to drag
the old man and Alice from the place !:
then tried again to get light, and return
to rescue Mrs. Layton, but her room be-
ing half flight of stairs lower than any
of the other bedrooms of the house, the
open window had admitted the rushing
torrent of water without resistance, and
now the room was filled, the furniture
floating, the water pouring down the
stairs, and joining the accumulation in
the lower rooms; but not a trace of the
figure seen for a moment at the win
dow, was discernible.
1t was a terrible morning for the in
habitants of Marlpits, one to be remem-
bered for many a year. Men, women
and children were among the drowned,
Mrs. Layton one of the number; the
rush of water had swept her off as she
stood by the open window.
Her remains were found more than a
quarter of mile from the house. She
was dead now. She had once been too
dear for either Alice or George to speak
aught of reproach against her memory.
Once more are their hands lovingly
clasped as they look upon the visage now
so calm and still in its cold and motion
less repose. A silent, but mutual, COM
pact was sealed between them in that
presence, which, when living, would
have separated them. The fckleness and
estrangement would be buried with its
cause.