The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-31

to- stay with her. ! don't, knew how il
was arranged. but when wo started ]
found she, Alan Douglas, ssilor, and
myself were the only occupants Of our
boat.
Alan. and l hardly exchanged word. I
did not even trust myself to look al him;
yet / was glad to be. with him ence more.
though knew the barrier that divided
us, knew that tomorrow he would be
with the girl who priced him for his
money. For the present, the great long
ing to be near him that still haunted me-
was satisfied
We rowed silently over the calm blue
water, that danced and rippled in the
sunshine, regardless of the quiet dead.
that lay SO eeld and still beneath it. The
wind gradually freshened, and the boat
man, heisting sail, cur little bark few
like bird over the sea. Alan left his
seat and came close to us. He and 1
were near each other again. and l have
often since then been thankful that it
was 80. The wind rose higher and the
sky darkened aswesped along. Sudden
ly the sailor started up and seized hold
Of the SAIL while he: uttered cry of
alarm. 80 c,s4 ~. ~. ~. ~ !.
The next momen the little boat had
swung over on her side, and we were all
struggling in the water. I felt myself
Striking lower and lower, the hoarse MUIR
muir Of the waves sounding in my ears
like thunder. until the cruel food. closed
over my head and / became unconscious.
When my senses returned 1 found my
self1ying on my ewn bed, epp0sito the
window, through which T could see the
sky flushed with the warm glow Of a
glorious sunset, When I moved some
one bent over me, and I heard Mary's
soft voice. ef
GLOW doyeu feel now, darling? Don't
try to. get up" she added, seeing me
about to riss. "You had much better
lie still"
"But, Mary" I said, suddenly remem-
bering everything that had passed, Chow
did it happenf Do'ten me all about the
accident"
"There was,a sudden, squalI," she re-
piled; "that struck the boat befone the
sail could be lowered, and capsized us.
But, thank Ged, you are safe, my dar-
ling" And she kissed me fondly.
Then I saw her face was deadly pale,
and her eyes redrand' swollen from weep
ing A horrible fear erept ever me-.
"Mary, how is hep 1 gasped.e "Is
Alan safeg' .+.tI..
She did not speak for a, moment; then
she took me in her arms, and while her
tears rained fast upon. my upturned face,
she whispered:
20, Katie, my peer, peor child, how
can / tell yeuf Alan isdead."
Soon after, she led me ta the door Of
the room where he lay, and / went in
alone. The last raysof the setting sun,
stole through the window, and fell on
his face like a glory. He looked &c
grand; as he lay there in the great still
ness of death, with the sunbeams slowly
touching him and a radiant peace on his
face, the peace Of one who would never
mOT6 IIAVG CArc VI bOTIOWs hStldlWACN
for the; last time ON the face ! had loved
90 WELL, grew calmer. Alan was nov
my own, death had united US, moi, ,aev
cred us. No one else could now claim I
share in the love that was mine to tht
last. '''A'l 80 "
Every one was very tender to me il
that dark time, and I then learned II
value BERTHE as he deserved. Poor Berthe
who still loved mes in spite Of my neg
lect and coldnes. ButE could not re
turn the love he lavished on me now
nor consent to hess his wife; ner let apoth
er fill Alan's place in my heart.
AFTER time I returned, and mamm'
and I have lived ever since in the dea
old home Of our childhood. Mary some
times, comes to- stay with us for months
These are our happiest times. Mine is
busy life. / feel cheerful and eentent
but I am fast merging into what use
to think could not exist-a happy oil
maid. hA r @ &
r.--s..g. tAh END ..r. 4.t.-