The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-07-17


tide comes in from the sea it will be
covered" and with a low moan Dorothy
sank from her seat and covered her face
with her HANDS.
"We will try and land there. The
tide will not turn for an hour"
The effort was successful. The ledge
is reached, and Charles carries Dorothy
to the very highest rock and lays her
gently down"
"My love, my little love-" he cried
kissing her helpless hands, II have killed
your"
"Stop!" she exclaimed. "Listen
There is boat! 1t is coming this way
Dorothy is upon her knees, and wild
cry of thanksgiving comes from her
lips.
| Ephriam Ford had followed them
The heavy boat with its single occu,
pant is strong enough to resist the
waves, and as he nears them, they go
down to meet him.
"Back!" he cries, 81 will not take
but one of you; it is not safe"
The grim Quaker, with his stern
emotionless face, wrenches away the
slender hands that cling to Charles, and
clasping Dorothy tightly in his arms,
lays her at his own feet in the bottom of
the boat. Not word is spoken until
they reach the opposite shore. Then he
takes her up again and carries 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.
eco back, go back! You will 60
| back for him?"
Go back for your elegant city lover,
| whose ignorant carelessness would have
cost you your life but for me?"
Dorothy falls on her knees and
grasps his cold hands in agony of en-
treaty.
go back, 60 back"
Promise me first that you will not
marry him. Swear it as the worlds
people do.'
i He takes her hand and holds it up to
heaven, and waits for the oath.
Dorothy's lips move, but no sound
come from them. Dorothy had tainted.
The tisherman's wife takes the uncon-
scious girl and lays her on her own bed,
and Ephraim Ford goes upon his errand
of mercy with murder in his heart.
The storm has lulled for moment.
1t comes on SO gradually, stopping every
now and then, as if to make the earth
believe that it were doubtful of it's power,
and can afford to wait
Ephraim looks at the sky. 1t is still
red in the west; the waves are rising
steadily, but his stout built boat, di-
rected by his powerful strength, can
yet make its way through them. There
is plenty of time; the tide will not turn
for half an hour.
Ephraim fights his battle with temp
tation and wins the victory; for,
twenty minutes later the sturdy boat
plows its way back to the shore, and
two silent men struggled against the
wind up the beach to the fisherman's
hut. Dorothy is waiting for them. Her
outstretched arms would wind them
selves about both, but the stern, fxe d
look in Ephraim's eyes restrained her.
and Charles turns from her and fixes
his eyes upon the ground.
1t is terrible moment for Dorothy.
She knows they both love her, and
she shivers at the suffering 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 tries to thank Ephraim for
the service he had done them.
"Spare me thy gratitude, Dorothy"
he commands, in slow, solemn tone,
peculiar to his people. 81 know l have
done thee service. I would not hear
of it again. I tried to make thee swear
an oath. Dorothy, l am glad it was
not spoken. Tell me now, though, dost
thou love this young man? Wilt thou
forswear thy religion, forsake the faith
of thy forefathers's and become one of
the worlds people?"
Dorothy's eyes looked toward Charles
with q mute appeal.
"He has saved both our lives, DEAR
answers the young man, in reply to her
glance, and he's worthy of your love"
Then his eyes seek the floor again. He
has received his life from this mans
hands, and now he will speak no word
to rob him of his treasure.
"Speak, Dorothy" Ephrain repeats.
1T is for you to choose"
Dorothy's voice is choked with tears
and her breast shaken with sobs, as she
answers:
'It is very, very wicked of me, Eph-
RAIN, but love him sol"
Then she stretched out her helpless
hands, and the sweet lips whisper,
Charles"