The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-12-24


his daughter resided, was town OF
comparatively modern growth, stu
ated In a wide, deep valley, many OF
the houses being situated on the side OF
the hill
Among its peculiarities was the res
ervoir for supplying the town with
water-a large circular mound on a
hill, originally above the town,
though the houses were now creeping
up to it.
There had lately been ominous ru-
mors of the insecurity of the reservoir
Some said the side nearest town was
giving way that the severe frosts of
the past winter 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 Colonel Pent-
well and his two daughters entered the
church they regularly attended, ray
of sunlight fell upon the old soldiers
white hair, and lighted up his youngest
daughters pretty face, on which the ex-
preston of pride had given place to
look of humble faith and resignation
such as it 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 hest
tated while he took her istless 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 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 allegiance.
Awkwardly and painfully the day
passed with them all. They had scarce
ly reached home when a storm, I'M
equalled in violence for year past, burst
over the town. Lightning and thunder
flashed and pealed necessarily; the rain
fell in sheets rather than in showers |
the wind howled and dashed itselfagainst
houses, churches and public buildings, |
as though on a mission of destruction. |
George and Alice sat apart, each with a |
book before them, but ever and anon |
glancing up at the furious elements, till
reading became nothing but pretense.
Still the storm RACES without, the
streets are flooded and the water rushes
down upon them in streams.
Earlier than their usual custom the
family retired for the night-a feeling
of subdued anxiety, a feeling of coming
upon them all.
II uOuSt hovo boon mast ,,;Jo;,I+ |
when the sleepers were awakened by
the house rocking as though shaken
from its foundation.
George Ashbury, who had remained
for the night, had scarcely slipped on
some clothing, when woman shrek
rose above the roarof the water, and he
ran out of his room, to be met almost at
the door by the Colonel and Alice, who
we're hurrying to the room whence the
scream proceeded.
With word or two of concern and
wonder, he followed them to Mrs. Lay
.on's apartment. As they opened the
loor, the light was extinguished by
gust of wind yet, for an instant, it ,
has revealed an open window, and {
white figure standing near it,
The noise had ceased, and before an 8
'ther light could be obtained, the room
vas filled with rush of water. Cropping
II the dark, George managed to drag
he old man and Alice from the place
md tfied again to geta light and return
o rescue Mrs. Layton, but her room g
,eing half flight of stairs lower than '
my of the other bedrooms of the house, 1
he open window had admitted the rush G
ng torrent of water without resistance, $
nd now the room was filled, the furni.
ure floating, the water pouring down /
he stairs, and joining the accumula- I
ion in the lower rooms /; but not trace d
f the figure seen for moment at the il
was discernible a
1t was terrible morning for the in {
abitants of Marlpits, one to be,remem- {
ered for many year. Men, women t
nd children were among the drowned, t
frs. Layton one of the number the
ush of water had swept her off as she 4
TODD by the open window.
Her remains were found more than a y
uarter of mile from the house. She a
Ias dead now. She had once been too 4
ear for either Alice or George to speak .
ught of reproach against her memory E
)nce more are their hands lovingly !
lasped as they look upon the visage =
ow so calm and still in its cold and +
loti0nless repose, A silent, but mutual, 4
ompact was sealed between them in =
hat presence, which, when living, T
Tould have separated them. The fick-
eness and arrangement would be
uried with its cause.