Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-29

cure this" was his last thought, slmul-
taneous with throwing himself into the
water. The cold, chilly element fur
nished nerved to attempt even the i'm
possible The first wave took him as q
cork upon it's bosom and cast him back
on the beach, stunned aud bruised, but
quickly recovering his senses, he ad-
vanced again to the attack undaunted,
avoiding the first few waves by diving
under them. The spirit of victory shone
in his beautiful eyes as he breasted the
great waves, while prayer for success
was breathed from Lis soul. A sub.
liner conquest over cold, hunger, and
exhaustion was mover seen. His splen-
did will-power dominated and controlled
every weak aud unwilling member OF
his poor, sickly body. II shall make
it, he smiled to himself, as he emerged
from the breakers after terrible battle,
wherein he had been dashed again and
again against the hard, sandy bottom
of the bar and bis nOStrils, throat and
ears filled with irritating sand. Dis
tance and all tho power of the ocean
could not daunt bis matohless spirit as
he thought of the holy task he had un-
deltaken. At last he reached the rock
whereon she stood, and, with her assist
ance, drew himself up to her level, and
stood regarding her with all his soul in
his eyes.
So completely do any great perils or
disasters disclose our inmOst natures
that at such times a mans heart is
written on his sleeve, and he who runs
may read it. The coward sinks away,
too mean for contemplation the brave
and noble challenge fate; but tho soul
that has faith emits q lambent ray 80
pure and clear that, once seen, it ia ac'
cepted by all as the beacon light of sal
walton.
1t was faith that John. Eldon saw
now iu the eyes and bearing of Mary
Abbott, transfguring her expression til
she seemed to stand among the re
deemed. TO his mind she was the EN-
bodiment of those crystal lineg
My faith can see with weary eyes
The dawn of heaven on earth dim sky'
While, from afar,
Shines on my soul the morning star
Tranquil yet courageous was he
mien, and the hand that helped him u]
} the slippery ledge was as firm as til
rock itself. No, he could not be he
savior, but she might be bis. As com
+ pletely isolated from the world a
though they stood at the source of th
Nile, Or together and alone explored til
open Polar Sea, the masks Of conven
tionalism fell off, and two fresh youn
souls, purged Of all dross by their nea'
ness to the great spaces of the future
$ looked into each Others hearts and cor
fessed their kin. The trusting innt
! cence Of childhood visited them. Jus
as child has been known to pluc
, flowers right on the brink Of a precipic
or has thrust its tiny hand out to shal
a tigers paw, SO the bright, e1uberar
n fancy of their youth would not be d
r MED, though death inclosed them roun
v about.
4 They spoke but little. Words wou]
: have dulled tho harmony of the hou
q The highest inspirations Of the poet, Il
lowell est landscape that ever entrance
| the eye, the sweetest fragrance and COLI
a of the flower, the divinest melody
, which music would attain-all arc 81
passed when the spiritual language
is love whispers its mysterious movemen
n within the soul. At such times man
no longer creature, but god.
- Mary Abbott had lived a quiet spirl
ual life of twenty-five summers. 4
, though she had not known grief exec
=, in Others woes she had had ma
glimpses into that crucible in viii
I, most human hearts are tried. II
~ sanity nature was the receptacle i'll
10 which were poured confessions of wea
," ness and sin by those who sought t
L, absolution of her kindly sympsthi
% But l question whether any face b
ever presented itself before her SO dee
. ly marked with despair Us that of
~ don's. Her pitying glance swept
'U 's mind, and, as if discerning his inm'
Il need, she bent forward and imprinted
- kiss on his forehead, and that one
'o created him anew. Nor was it an ;
10 of pity alone that dictated the kiss Nj
- had given. Sensations new and strar
we're awakened by the touch of
; hand and expression Of his eye.