Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-08-02
A VOICE IN THE STORM.


rs spotless and as perfectly kept as that
in which lived Daniel Weston and his
two motherless girls.
Grace, with her honest, brown eyes
and sweet mouth, which, fail as they
might to give her Rachels beauty, had
wonderful charm of their own, if any
one might chance to find it 1t. And
latterly, no work had seemed hard TO
Grace, for she fancied some one had
found il out.
She could scarcely remember when
she had not cared for Steve Tregaskis.
but only lately she had learned 10 blush
at his coming and TO sigh at his fare
we'll For Steve was captain of boat
of his own, and often was absent foI
long weeks on some cruise.
Ho was at home now, and Grace had
hurried through her tasks to-day, for he
had asked her yesterday to meet him on
the cliff this afternoon alone.
Refreshngly the cool autumn wind
blew upon her flushed cheek 1t alone
would hear, later, what secret Steve
wished to whisper in her ear. Already
he was awaiting her.
you are late, he said, reproachful-
". when she had come within sound OF
his voice
Il could not help it, Dick, y she an
swered You knew l wanted 10 be
here
eyes, Grace; YOU never yet denied a
wish of mine, was his reply, land !
hope voull not dream of DENYING what
came to ask YOU to-day. for it's the one
wish nearest my heart Sometimes |
have fancied you have guessed it with.
out the telling. Is it SOP
Hotter surged the crimson tide into
her face at his eager speech, while heI
downcast eyes sought the ground.
Maybe I've guessed it Steve, she
said.
AYE, so ! thought.-and YOU can
understand why Iwanted to speak first
10 YOU, and to ask if You thought there
was any chance for me. I'm 50 rough,
and strong, and BIG, you know, Grace,
and she's such a frail, beautiful child.
But, oh, Grace, my love would make
me that tender of her Why, Grace,
what's the matter? Have ! surprised
you, after ALP
GA little" She stammered
For she knew now that her dream
was dead. TWAS her sister whom Steve
loved-who had taken the brightness
and left her the shadow always Hith
erto the division had seemed equal to
her. Why not now?
you've no need to make me yom
intercessor. Steve, She said, ANY Girl
would be proud 10 win you.
And so She gave him courage 10 set
forth on his wooing Her words, too,
held the spirit of prophesy Before the
an, a ,,r,,, I{oapatfa
to become his wife.
There's no better man in these
parts, Rachel sleeply confessed to her
sister, as she laid her beautiful head
that night on her pillow; land | sup
pose / must be married some day. But,
oh, / hate the thought of living on here
foreverW
Rachel exclaimed Grace with
choking at her throat - don't you love
Steve?n
Il suppose so, was the answer.
Pm sure I'm too sleepy to discuss the
point.
So Grace learned her second lesson
on that fateful day, and as the weeks
rolled on, a shadow came into Steve's
face-a shadow which deepened into
pain-the pain born Of knowledge.
And Grace saw, with growing sadness,
that he was not blind.
So February came, and Steve again
must say farewell, and now for q longer
time
II can't get back before April. Rachel
dear" he said, wistfully; "but I'll take
holiday then. And, Rachel, ~on't
you let me take it with mywife2 You're
used to sailor way, love, and YOU on
mind my leaving YOU now and then;
but it'll make all the difference in the
world to me. On the darkest night at
sea, | shall fancy the lamp burned by
my wife at my own learthstone shines
out across the blackness the star to
guide me home!'
"What nonsenser' answered the girl
"But / suppose it might as well be over
one time as another, 50 I'll try to be
ready by your return.
At that moment Grace, who had been
sitting silently at the further end of the
room. lifted her eyes, and hers and
SteVe's met.
What was it passed from each-a
lightning flash into the other soul? II
each read too late the tuth-if Grace
was avenged at last, their loyalty would
never give them the sweetness OF con-
fessiOn
The.neNt day Steve sailed, but he and
Grace did not meet again. She con
triyed to be absent when he came 20 say
goodbye
So the weeks fitted BY bringing near
er and nearer the time OF Steve. sreturn.
There's heavy storm brewing,
said Jhc father one evening in the latter
part of March. Il would that Steve
were safe in port
Grace glanced up, startled, but Rachel
laughed lightly.
"He's breasted storms before to-day!
she said.
And not even when the tempest, true
to the old sailors prophecy, burst forth
in all its fury, did she seem to fear, OF
weigh her spirit with her lovers safety.
For TIN, days and nights the Storm
king reigned, but yet Bachels cheek
did not pale, and song and laughter