The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-05-19

were walking. The whippoorwill sang
softly in the distant meadow by the brook
whose gentle murmur, as it rippled ovei
stones and pebbles, sounded on the mild
night air.
She stood with parted lips with hel
great, calm eyes fixed on him, and list
ened to what he said for few moments
without word, mute and awed, sur
prised to stiffness.
At last, Frank SAID "Speak, Phoebe
For Gods sake, speak. Do not keep me
in this suspense
" Frank, you have surprised me-" she
replied, in a low, trembling voice. "Why
do you ask me now? wait oh wait -
You are no longer a little girl, Phoebe.
| must secure you or some one else will
steal my treasure. am no longer boy;
it is time | was making my way in the
world, AS you are only fifteen, l am
willing to wait some years for you,
neither am |, at present, able to make a
comfortable home for you, but want
your PROMISE
"Yeu know that love you, Frank
replied the trembling girl; "and will
| promse.''
"Thanks!' said Frank, folding her in
his arms. And now, darling' he con-
| tinued, Il must speak of my plans for
the future. | have very lucrative offer
from uncle to go to London, to remain a
few years. As you know, my parents
being poor, this is very important con-
sideration. With care l can accumulate
enough to start me in business when |
return, and then can make a comforta-
BILE living for you.'
Phwbes heart beat almost to suifoca-
ton at the thought of his leaving her.
For him to go away seemed to her as if
he was taking one-half of her life with
him. Yet she was determined not to
prevent him by any selfish wishes of her
own. At last, with an effort, she said
"You know that love YOU and will
marry you when the proper time arrives,
and endeavor to be content and happy
until you return
"You will be sure and wait for me
darling.' exclaimed Frank.
Il will wait until die" she replied,
bursting into tears.
Frank kissed her again and again and
so pledged their troth. Soon after he
went abroad and Phoebe contented her
self with course of studies and other
duties which were to enable her to be
better fitted for life.
Spring passed on, the spring time came
and the spring time went; at last the
time appointed for his returned was
fixed. 1t was at this season he was to
come. All nature was beautiful. running
over as it were with foliage and blossoms
and young. newborn plants. The earth
abounded in universal fragrance. Phnbe
felt that intense sense of life which
caused her almost to imagine that she
could see things growing. She stretched
out her arms to embrace nature as it
were in her gratitude. for its beauty, for
he was coming! The birds were singing
| the regeneration song of the earth-she
reioiced with them; for he was coming.
Frank was delighted to be now able to
return to his native land. With heart
| filled with gladness he set sail from Liv-
erpool. He was So light-heartcd. so
happy, that he was the life of the pass
engers,, who could not resist in spite of
sea sckncSs and the dread which many
| experienced of travelling on the deep the
influence of his good spirits and pleasant
manners.
The third day after their departure
was extremely lovely, enjoyed by them
all. They were now far from land sur
rounded by the mighty deep. The sea
was as blue as turquoise in some lights,
blue as lapislazuli in others; sometimes
it rose i'll angry turbulence. and some
times rolled in a sullen swell. The sun
dropped into the waves like ball of fire,
tinging its foam with streaks of gold A
few light clouds bordered the horizon,
through which its departing rays darted
coioring them with gold and crimson.
Twilight followed and soon deepened into
night. The moon rose in splendor; ii
was full and of a deep yellow color. The
ship went through the waters swiftly as
the wind blew more strongly, riding the
moon-lit-waves. The night was glorious
aud the passengers reluctly retired to
repose.
When 10. at midnight it was discovered
fire had broken out in the hold of the
ship. In spite of every precaution the
people became panic stricken. Men rush
ed hither and thither, wild with fear, in
tent only on their own safety, whilst the
women and children in their helpless.
ness shrieked with terror. 1t was with
the greatest difficulty the captain could
the confusion of voices, and cracking OF
flames, his signals ard shouting were OF
little avail. The fire spread rapidly
there was no hope of saving tie ship
which was iilied with combustlble mater
ial. The beats were quickly lowered
filled first with women and children
Frank Went worth and noble friend OF
his assisted the faithful captain in say
ing these Amidst the confusion some
lives were lost, a few in terror Sprang
overheard and were drowned The flames
were now consuming the ship: the fire
increased by the wind, rushed up tiIt
masts with dancing, eXultant motion
There was a noise of rending and split
ting of timber. Great wreaths of smoke
came down over and almost hid them
Frank and his friend, James Wilson, ha(
been SO faithful in their efforts to save
others that they had forgotten them
selves. They were the last to leave the
burning wreck. They hastily construct
ed raft, and taking with them sucl
things as they could gather in their hast,
(also, a poor sick boy who had beeI
abandoned,) they left, taking thei
chances on the deep. They had not gone
far when they saw something which the,
at first took to be a log floating in tn,
water, but on approaching discovered i
to be a man clinging to a shutter. III
was u German, whose right arm had beer
broken by the falling timber of the ship
and was clinging to this frail piece o
carpentry. They We're too noble to lie
him perish, and dragged him upon TIL
raft to share their present fate will
them. They now looked back at tn