The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-05-13

little higher up on the left, somewhat
elevated above the path before them,
stood the old church untouched as yet
by the water, looking in silent pity upon
the scene of destruction surrounding it.
1t was possible that safety might be
found there; even though the waves
should reach it, might not the strong
foundation on which it had stood so long
prove invincible?
''The church, grandfather, the
churchr' cried Ruth, in tones of hope
and encouragement ''Surely we will
be safe there;" and the next moment
they were hurrying over the short space
intervening, and finding but a feeble re-
sistance in the old lock, they soon stood
within the silent church.
Was it that the soothing spirit of
prayer still lowered like incense about
the place, or was it the thought of the
ever-abiding presence of God in this his
house, that seemed to impart sudden
calm to the weary old man? Silently he
sank within one of the old-fashioned
pews; and here, ah, yes, here, he could
die peacefully if such were Gods will.
The lantern gave but feeble light in
the great room; but thankful for even
this mitigation of the darkness, Ruth
placed it near, and with loving, tender
care knelt beside her grandfather, still
bent on cheering and encouraging him.
Il think we are surely safe here,
grandpapa, said she, nesting close to
him in her old childlike way, feeling
now, having done all that she could, a
sudden longing for comfort and support.
g l trust so, my child" answered the
old man, in tone so strong and calm
that it surprised as much as it comforted
the young girl. God has surely guided
and sustained you in this hour of dam
ger, and we are now in His hands; he will
save or take us to himself as he sees
best.''
A deep silence fell upon them, then, a
trembling, prayerful silence on Ruth's
part, for nearer and nearer came the
sound of the rushing water, while great
sense of desolation crept over her.
Suddenly cold dampness seemed to
pervade the room, and the next moment
a perceptible tremor passed over the
building, causing the young girl to spring
to her feet and clasp her arms about her
grandfather, trembling violently.
Quickly and firmly he drew her closer
to him, pressing her tenderly to his
breast.
"Be brave, my child" he said in
voice subdued, but calm; q" the hour of
danger has come, but God is with us
still.'
Again and again came that culver
through the old building, while around
it could be distinctly heard the splash of
waves; then came one convulsive throe,
that seemed violently wrenching timber
from timber, and with a rocking, reel
ing motion the old church, with its liv-
ing inmates, was washed from its foun-
dations, and floated away on the bosom
OF the angry stream.
Almost unconscious from fright, Ruth
lay on her grandfather's breast; but as
the movement became more regular and
steady, she raised her pale face and
whispered:
"Grandpapa, are we really floating?'
Yes, my child, like the ark of DID,"
answered her grandfather. "We are
adrift, and God only knows how long
we may float, or what the end will be.
LCb l1Ob hU Ills Will, VIC VIII
perhaps find many friends who have
gone tonight into the other world
The girl hid her face again for
moment, but suddenly faint, as it were,
far off sound broke the stillness-the
sound of a bell feebly, slowly tolling.
Ruth started up. 80, listen, grand
father!'' she cried, sit is the bell, the
church bell, tolling with the motion of
the waves!''
The old man started, listening intently
also, and a tear moistened his eye, trick
ling slowly down his furrowed cheek
AYE, child, it is the old bell of st.
Johns, that has rung out many chime.
1t is tolling now its long last message
tolling its own knell, and the knell of
the many that tonight have passed
away"
But to Ruth tie familiar sound, solemn
and sad as it was, seemed to bear
message of life and hope; and, with her
young face all aglow, she started once
again to erfeet, exclaiming:
Grandfather, | know what will do!
will climb the belfry stair. and hang
the lantern from its high window, and |
VIII ooho ouo ouCh d peal lTOlll INC gOOu
old bell that help, l am sure, must
come"
Timid for her safety, where he was
brave for bis own, the old man anxiously
tried to dissuade her from an effort so
perilous at this hour of darkness; but,
scarce waiting for permission, Ruth had
already darted away with the lantern,
leaving her grandfather in the solemn
darkness, where he could only wait and
pray, while she was cautiously but
swiftly climbing the belfry stair.
On through the gloom and silence the
old church foated, when suddenly
through the darkness bright light
sparkled like a beacon star from light
house tower, and above the din of the
rushing waters, ringing peal came
forth. awakening the startled echoes
slumbering on the river bank.
"Clang! Clang! Clangr' the sound
seemed almost to dance along the waves,
while the brave girl aloft chung to her
frail support, and the old man prayed
below.
The river had now found a deeper,
narrower channel, with high dry cliffs
once more on either side, and as that
strange sound rang out amid the storm
and gloom, a group of men with skiffs
moored high peered up the rushinp