The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-10-15
A WRECKER BOYS BRIDE.

Duhhnhs. NouIu 10 heaven there was
more principle connected with their
bravery. Aud yet, even among those
hardy, sun-bTowned classes, there are
many who possess noble, sympathetic
hearts, and they witness human suffer-
ing with as deep COMMUNICATION as the
more enlightened of our cities and thickIy
populated districts, where church spires
point toward Heaven, and organizations
OF beneyolence abound.
One OF the exceptions existed in the
family of old Jack RYAN. The house of
Jack was located upon the southern
point OF Great Bahama Island, and at
the time OF which we write his cottage
was blessed with the presence of boy
Just verging into manhood, and lovely
young girl about sixteen years of age.
They were called respectively Edward.
or Ned, and Isabella, or Belle, aud were
understood to be the children Of Jack
Ryan, although there were none upon the
island, who had any recollection OF ever
having seen the old mans wife.
But there was u secret connection with
this family which no person knew FAVE
those directly interested in it. Jack had
never been married, but those vino had
contributed to make his home 10 happy
were only his adopted children, which
they perfectly understood, although they
both loved the old man with as true an
affection ms if he had really been their
father. They also loved each other, aud
only awaited suitable age to link their
fortunes even more closely together.
IL was dark and stormy night in
mid-winter, and quite cold, even III that
southern climate. Ned and Belle were
alone together in the cottage, and fol-
some time neither of them had spoken.
They seemed to listen occasionally for
approaching footsteps, and often glanced
anxiously toward the door.
At length the maiden started IN. and.
In moment after, she WAS in the EN-.
brace OF powerful man, whose long,
white locks and coarse garments were
drenched with rain, but viii, h was un.
needed by her She gazed rather anx.
iously INTO his face, and when she saw a
shadow resting there, another passed
over her sweet features. Then she
asked:
Has anything gone wrong with you,
dear iather?"
"Oh, no-all is WE'LL" was the some.
what hasiy response.
"Then why do you look sad and trou-
blcd2'
"Only natural anxiety. We are about
to take very important step, and the
the utmost caution is necessary. or our
plans may be thwarted But sit down
while we talk of the matter"
Belle took her seat, and after throwing
aside his onter garments the old man
did the same.
Up to this time Ned had not spoken,
but breaking silence he asked:
Father nre you positive that Belle
and myself are in no manner related e? It
would be dreadful if | should wed a sis
ter"
Positive, boyp OF course am. The
vessel upon which yourself, your father
and your mother w re passengers was a
Spanish craft, bound from Cadiz to Sa-
vhnnah. After she was wrecked upon
the island ] saw your father and mother,
both dead. Your father had struggled
to the shore with you in his arms, and
ns he was about to breathe his last he
handed me his child. He tried to speak
hut the words died ont upon his lips.
You are like him, boy-there is the old
CASTLE in every feature"
"1hat is true"
"And Belle is just the reverse. She
came into my possession by the wreck
~" ~ n hrig honnd from New York to
New Orleans. | was near the craft when
she went down. I saw woman leap
INTO the water with an infant in her
arms; was Just in time to clutch the
dress of the infant, but the mother sank.
This was three years alter you were
saved, Ned"
GLOW do you know the woman you
saw leap into the ocean was my motherp"
asked Belle.
"a glance was sufficient to satisfy me |
Of the fact BY vivid fash distinctly |
saw her eyes, "a they were for an instant
turned upon me before she sank. They
were Of heavenly blue, like your own.
You have her golden hair also."
"Still, there is one thing that troubles
me-"
"The watch and the locket, is IL, |
Ned ?"
YES; the watch You took from my
fathers pocket on the night OF his
death, bore the pane Edward Lath--,'
The other letters being 80 marred by
contact with the ragged rocks that we
'onld not make them out. Now, the
,ame on the locket which was found on
5elles neck was Isabel Lathrop.' You
re fhe first four letters OF the surname
) the same"
eyes; Int only a coincident he M.
nred. At the same time, when we
each New York, we will have all these
arficn'ars published In every paper
throughout the country, and we may
ND some person who can explain as TO
rho YOU really are"
gop" ~ ~ ~
"Becanse Tn selfish old villain, and
onldnt bear the Thought of losing Won,
kept tho secret, claiming You "A nv / ,
wn. am sure l have loved You as
"You have, dear father" and Belle
Used away tear-drop as she spoke.
bich bad started forth from the eyes
the old man.
ayes, father" continued Ned, "you
I'VE been everything to M; hut still I
sire to learn something With regard to
Y own family and that OF Belle, II
ssible. Tomorrow night we vii!
lrt for the Florida coast, and in
eek or ten days after we can reach New
rk. Then my desires may be accom-. {
she'd" Ii
I'VE must start tonight" @