The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-08-22
AN OCEAN BRIDE.

AN JULIAN DhlDh
The good ship ''Waverly," home
ward bound from Japan, was becalmed
in mid-ocean.
.What land did you say that was.
Captain LaneP" asked young Perley,
the second mate, pointing to a wild,
picturesque-looking island, lying less
than a league and half off their lee
bow.
Zone of the Society group. By my
chart that should be Morley Island.
Let's see, you said you touched there
for water the year before last when you
were on the Atlas did you not,
JackP'
SAY, ay, SIR" returned the old tar.
quickly; ''and a lively time we had,
too. We seed the purtiest gal thar
tibet ever lived, I'll bet! But, Lor' she
was as wild as gullr'
"a beautiful girl on that islandP''
cried Robert Perley, incredulously.
cay, ay, Mister Perley. And I'll bet
my SOU -westr ag'in' my head she wor
none of the black-and-tan natives,
either! We wanted to go back and
look for her ag'in, but the old skipper
wouldn't believe US, nor say but she
war an Tnjun gall
Captain Lane, / am more deter
mined to go ashore than ever" ex-
claimed the mate, in n fever of excite
ment ''What do you say, Charlie?"
he asked, turning to the supercargo, a
good-looking young man OF two and
twenty.
Il am with you. We can get back
before the breeze comes up"
ooh, yes; I'll warrant you are both
- 80,
Lane. Just say there is q purity girl
on that island, and all the sea-lions in
seven seas couldn't keep you away!
Well, you had my consent before, and
I shall not withdraw. But look sharp
for the cut-throat savages there, and
return the minute sound the trumpet,
if you don't before.
In less than fifteen minutes the young
officers accompanied by four sailors,
were fairly flying over the water to-
ward the island.
Touching upon the sandy beach, they
drew up their boat in cove nearly
hidden by overhanging trees, and start
ed inland,
eff we wish to see the gal we have
got to be purity sly, for she's a wild
one," declared Jack. Then we must
be on our lookout for the natives, too,
for they're beastly set as you ever
saw"
After an hours weary tramp, how
ever, they were beginning to think they
+ should have to return to the ship IN
disappointment, when, as they paused
for a moment, to gaze out upon the
sea, the tone of some one sweetly sing
ing was waited to their ears.
When they had listened until the
song was finished, enraptured with the
melody, Charlie Weston exclaimed joy
ously-
1T must be sher'
Yes; and she must be fairy to
sing like that. Come, boys, let's go
down there. But, for your life, don't
disturb her."
Advancing cautiously, until they
gained the line of thick shrubbery that
skirted the beach, they parted the
foliage, to behold the loveliest vision
their gaze had ever met.
Standing in the shallow water, that
laughed and played at her delicately-
formed feet and ankles in high glee,
while she was engaged in fastening her
waving mass of golden hair, which fell
far down her waist in pretty braids,
was O beautiful maiden of scarcely Six
teen summers
Her form, habited in a well-tltting
garb made of the inner back of the sea
island willow, was faultless; and her
features were perfect IN their outlines,
while the purity of her complexion
seemed only enhanced by the slightly
bronzed hue that life of exposure to
a tropical sun had given it.
Isn't she beautifulr' exclaimed
Robert, lost in admiration.
= no ~,
reply, equally fascinated with her ap-
pearance. t.But see I she is going to
sing again"
Again the air was filed with the
sweet notes of her song, and until the
last sound had died away the entranced
listener did not dare to even breathe
aloud for fear of breaking the spell.
There is no Indian blood in her
veins? declared Bob, lowly, as she
ended her song, and they continued to
gaze upon her in rapt wonder s'Her
features and the tone of her speech are
English"
ssYou are right. Bob" whispered
Charlie. '.And. look! she wears a
chain and 1ocket which tells that she
has not always been here"
His companions started with renewed
surprise as they discovered q gold chain
and locket suspended from her neck.
II would give year of my life to
know the mystery of her existence
herer' exclaimed the mate impetuous-
ly. 81 am going to speak to her.
Suiting action to the words, he
stepped lightly forward, and addressed
her in clear voice. But. as the first
sound fell from his lips she turned in
alarm, and catching sight of him fed
like frightened gazelle.
Seeing that it was vain to think of
overtaking her. they could only watch
her out of sight with looks of wonderl
1--WE must find her, boys" declared
the excited mate, and bis words were
heartily seconded by the supercargo
the others were nothing 10th to join in
the wild chase.
Away dashed the sailors on the course
of the fugitive maid, but finally they
were forced to abandon the search as a
fruitless one.
Hushl at that moment, high and
clear over the mile or more of inter-