Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-09-18


Ephraim Ford had 70 Howe l
them. The heavy boat with lis
single occupant is strong enough
TO resist the wave, and as he
nears them they go down to meet
him.
"Back!' he cries, II will no
take but one of you; it is not
safe.n
The grim Quaker, with his
stern. emotionlcss face, wrench
away the slender hands that cling
to Charles, and clasping Dorothy
tightly in his arms lays her a. his
own feet in the bottom of the boat
Not a word is spoken until they
reach the opposite shore. Then
he takes her up again and carrie9
her TO the nearest fishers hut up
the beach.
AS they stand within the shelter
of the little cabin, Dorothy looks
at him with wild eyes, and cry
of torture Issues from her white
lips.
"Go back, 20 back You will
go back Tor him "''
go back for your elegant city
lover, whose ignorant carelessness
would have cost you your life but
for me p
Dorothy falls on her knees and
grasLs his cold hands in agony of
entreaty.
go back, go backu"
promise me fist that you will
not marry him. Swear it as the
worlds people do"
He takes her hand and holds it
up to heaven, and waits for the
{ .th,
Dorothy's lips move, but no
sound come from them. Dorothy
had tainted.
The fisherman's wife takes the
unconscious girl and lays her on
her own bed, and Ephraim Ford
goes upon his Grand of mercy
with murder in his heart.
The storm has lulled for mo-
ment. 1t comes on SO gradually,
stopping every now ana then, as
if to make the earth believe that it
were doubtful of lis power, and
can afford to wait.
Ephraim looks at the sky. 1t is
still led in the west; the waves are
rising steadily, but his stout built
boat, directed by his powerful
strength, can yet make lis way
through them. There is plenty of
time; the tide will not turn for
half an hour.
Ephraim fights his battle with
temptation anu wins the victory;
for, twenty minutes later the stur-
dy boat plows its way back to the
shore, and two silent men strug-
gled against the wind up the beach
to the fisherman's hut. Dorothy
is waiting for them. Her oustretch-
ed arms would wind themse Ives
about both, but the stern, fixed
look in Ephraim's eyes restrained
her, and Charles Turns from her
and fixes his eyes upon the
ground.
It is a terrible moment for For
othy. She knows they both love
her, and she shivers at the suffer
ing in both faces.
Then she remembers the oath
she did not speak, and wild sort
of terror takes possession Of her
soul. She speaks at last, and tr les
to thank Ephraim for the serv ice
he had done them.
"Spare me thy gratitude, Doro-
thy" he commanos in slow, SOL
emn tone, peculiar to his people.
81 know / have done thee a SER
vice. would not hear of it again.
/ tried to make thee swear an oath.
Dorothy,I am glad it was not spo-
ken. Tell me now, though, dost
thou love this young man? Wilt
thou forswear thy religion, for
sake the faith of thy forefatherS IS
and become one ofthe worlds peo-
ple?"
Dorahy's eyes looked toward
Charles with mute appeal.
HE his saved both our lives,
DEAR answers the young man, in
reply to her glance, land he's wor-
thy of your love-" Then his eyes
seek the floor again. He has re-
ceived his life from this mans
hands, and now he will speak no
word to rob him of his treasure.
"Speak, Dorothy" Ephraim re-
peats. SIT is for you to choose
Dorothy's voice is choked with
tears and her breast shaken with
sobs, as she answers:
at is very, very wicked of me,
Ephraim, but l love him sol"
Then she stretched out her help
less hands,and the sweet lips whis-
per, Charles"
Only single word, but it de-
cides her life. Ina moment she is
in her lovers arms, and for the Sec
ond time that night unconscious.