The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-12-10

heart told her why it was going so soon
with no parting cheer to give it a God
speed. i1 iln.,
Somehow the scene grew cold and des-
olate to her after tho Spray had been lost
IN the shadows, and with a sigh she turn
cd away from it aud sought her home
There was much wonder when it was
known that John Holt had sailed so soon,
but none guessed the cause. ..ss4H
The old fishermen who believed in him
shook their heads wisely, and muttered:
''Cute fellow; smelt the fish. aH
| And the reports that came back during
the summer confirmed this, for tho Spray
was doing better than ever before. a-t>
Other craft called ut the harbor, and
stayed few days: and such previous to
this season had been John Hollis custom
but the summer passed and he came not.
The season WAS over, and the autumnal
equinox at hand, and still the Spray was
out. gn". IL &aHs ..s#
There came day that will always be
remembered at Rough Reef Beach-one
of those days that take hold on times
and acts, and becomes marks in the years
known as that Of "the great flood or
"the September gale -.. ..,l
The sun had risen gray and lurid,
breaking from the low. hanging mist like
ball Of hot steel. The air was hot and
oppressive, ahd the gulls came flying
landward, screaming discordantly.
The weather wise shook their heads
and kept an ominous silence, or talked
in more ominous Whispers.
Then the blue sky paled away to a
grayishness, and the sun faded from
sight. Soon the sea grow fretful, and
the air was full of mutteled means,
dreary and full OF woe.
In the east dark line gathered along
the water and slowly rolled up to the
sky, growing blacker as it rose in height.
Still no wind, no rain.
Then, under the low-hanging black
ness, white line, growing broad, but
rolling along the face OF the sea, told
that the storm had come.
Never before had the shock been so
great or SO sudden. Sweeping like de-
mons filled with the power of wrath, the
hugh waves broke upon the reef, and ran
foaming upon the beach. But there was
no rain. The foam whirl filled the air,
but the clouds held firm. "
The old men had gathered at Pentley's
shop, while the younger ones were watch.
ing the moorings of the craft in the har-
Dor. All could see the ocean, tossed by
the wind and raging for prey.
Then cry arose. Through the toss
ing crests, far out at sea, came the white
line of q sail. Nearer, nearer-and the
high ledge was thronged with watchers
who had hurried there: men from the
shop and harbor, and women and chill
dren from the cottages, for fear had
seemed to fall on them all and fill them
with dread-the fear that the vessel in
the mad fury yonder was one that held
lives dear to them-was the Spray.
On she came, the foam flying over her
and often hiding her from view: and still
the stray sights given had told the watch
| ers that their fears were realized-it was
the Spray. '....f.
There were white lips and prayers, but
no tears. Death was thing with which
the jewellers on Rough Reef Beach were
too we'll acquainted to call for such no.
ton until it came.
They knew that Holt was making for
the harbor, and could he make it, would
be safe. But would he make it,
Still the Spray came rushing on.
White faces watched her, but whitest of
all was that of Sarah Pentley.
"Oh, John, John-I love you, I love
you'll"
So rang the echo in her heart; and if
he should be lost, would it not ring so
! forever9
When she knew it was the Spray that
| was driving before the storm and heard
| that it was mere chance whether she
would come in safe or not, then, with
the shadow of death hanging low over
her lovers head, her heart had awakened
to the knowledge that he was all to her.
HE shall not die-0h, God is too good 7
she said. And so she waited and watched.
A few yards more --only a few yards
more and then all would be known.
"Oh, Godw There was despair in the
cry, and death seemed to reach out its
hand to take the crew Of the little craft.
As she entered the channel that ran
through the reef, gust of wind seized
the sails of the Spray and shook them,
and before John Holt could shift the
ASAAAA " AASOs VAC OACASCuCyS uuGo IUlls
er dashed the little craft hi oh on the reef
and rolled over her. .s
Then it was that the cry arose; a cry
that all but one mouth echoed. and that
mouth grew firm and set, and whispered
rather than spoke:
"He shall not die.
A small boat-a mere shell to meet the
mao shock of the sea-lay in the little
cove formed by the ledge, and sheltered
by its strength. Into this Sarah Pent]ey
jumped, aud before any one was aware Of
her intention, or could stop her she had
pushed out into the boiling foam at the
cove's mouth.
Her father called to her but she kept
on.
II love HIM, and will die with HIM or
save him." she answered, but the wind
drowned her voice. Eager eyes watched
her, eager hands were stretched out to
save her, when wave came roaring in
but 1t seemed thatffate or God was with
her. ..
Slowly. but surely, she went on, the
swirl ut the sea sending her this way and
that-and now other eyes than those on
h. L.