The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-04-09
A SIRENS LURE.


TO sleep like lullaby Even the long
stretches of sand on either side, and
the marshes that extended gray and
sullen behind the plain wooden house
10 the ridge of low-lying hills in the far
distance had become so familiar to his
gaze that he loved them like so many
familiar faces.
1t was a relief, however, when Rachel
Huntley suddenly appeared, one gray
November afternoon, at a fisherman
cottage half mile from where ne
dwelt, and he learnt that the girl
would spend the winter on the coast.
Afterwards the weeks sped by quick
ly enough until ono bitter night in
March. Arnold had only to measure
at stated intervals the temperature, We
locity of the wind, or the rainfall, and
telegraph the result to headquarters.
Then he was free TO spend the remain
der of his time with Rachel, or at his
studies, and after the advent of the girl
it was she who proved the stronger
magnet Of the two.
And so the winter wore on to this
wild March night of which we wish to
speak.
The young man sat dreaming over
the dying fire in his homely little room.
Outside all was darkness. The fog
could almost be cut with knife, and
no sound could be heard save the deaf
ening roar of the incoming tide.
Suddenly girls form stood in the
open door. Arnold caught glimpse
OF extended hands, and pale, fright
ened face, and sprang forward.
'Rachel! what brings you hereP' he
exclaimed.
She clung to him, almost breathless.
"There is vessel of the shore, Ar
mold! The fog lifted little once, and |
saw her lights. The wind seemed TO be
driving her this way"
care you surep'
"Oh, yes Something must be done"
Arnolds face turned n shade paler.
While no hesitated, a hoarse shout came
from one of his own men outside
'tVessel on the Gull Rocks
No time was to be lost. He sprung
to the wires, sent message flashing 10
the nearest station for crews and NOR
tars, and in three minutes was ready to
set out.
"Remain here he said, hurriedly, to
Rachel, who had thrown herself into
one of the rude wooden chairs. II will
take you home when return
Instead Of obeying, however, the girl
sprung forward with strange look in
her lovely eyes.
''Let me go with YOU she said. 81
could not sit idly here. You may need
my help
"There are the men
She put up her hand rs though UNI
able to endure remonstrance. Precious
moments were being wasted. Gomez"
she breathed. and herself led the way
through the outer room.
The stranded vessel was now sending
up signals, but they scarcely made
glimmer through the dense fog. Sky
and stars had been utterly blotted out.
The darkness could almost be felt.
Rachel's little hand once closed con-
vulsively upon Arnold's arm, but she
hurried on beside him.
The crew followed, dragging their
life-boat. The waves beat against the
shore with tremendous violence, but
there were strong hands and willing
hearts at work, and though beat back
again and again the men succeeded in
launching the craft.
An interval of terrible suspense fol-
lowed. Signals on the land answered
those on the water. Suddenly great
cry went up.
''She is going 10 piecesN'
Arnold was half mad with excite
ment. He had done so little--so very
litt.e--and human lives were in peril.
Snatching up rope he began to knot
Rachel did not seek TO deter him.
She had no such desire Grasping one
end of the rope she chung TO it with all
the energy of death as her lover took
the desperate plunge into the black,
seething water. She might be dragged
in too, but she was resolved not to
loose her hold.
Moments that seemed an age wore
on. She could see nothing, but AT last
she knew that Arnold had turned back.
As she stood painting and breathless.
straining her eyes through the gloom, a
tremendous wave dashed him on the
sand, almost at her feet.
Though scarcely conscious, one strong
arm firmly grasped the waist of Il wo-
man. Rachel caught a glimpse of a
beautiful pale face, and dishevelled
golden hair
"Poor thing" she said, with burst
of womanish tears, II can feel faint
flutter about her heart Will some one
lend a hand and help me take her to
my own lodgingsP"
They were there in very few min
utes. Arnold followed more slowly
the exertions he had undergone had
well nigh exhausted him. When at last,
after many pauses, he reached the
house, they told him the lady he had
rescued was already conscious, and had
asked for him.
Entering, he found her lying on the
couch with Rachel chaIing her pallid
little hands. She lifted her cyes--.they
were big and blue and innocent-looking
ms babe fixing them upon his face
in q glance that set every nerve in his
body a-tinge.
''They tell me owe my life TO your
bravery she said, in a voice of lionid
music. "Ah, how can ! hope to repay
vou2'