Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-03-26
THE RIVAL LOVERS.

"Cheerily, boysI' shouted the master
"We must be nearing the coast. HOLD
hard the helm, Jean! Make fast tht
rope, PieITei'
Over the raging sea the fishing smacl
shot like flash. The previous day
they had set out amid superb weather
There was stiff breeze, covering with
light foam the waves. upon the surface
of which the sun was mirrored with
bright silvery reflections. Neverthe-
less, on passing the lookout house Pere
Landure, the master had paused with
an uneasy air. In less than an hour
the barometer the column of mercury
which glittered at the door, had fallen
cent!metre. The old man had re-
mained there a second, seeming to re
fleet. Then he had glanced at the sky,
shifted the wind, and had ended by
Struggling his shoulders. A tempest in
such weather, was that possible? He
would nave felt 1t, he who scented the
gales day in advance, and he did
not scent anything at all, save a good
catch of fish. The barometer was GER
tainly wide of the mark.
That was why Pere Landure had set
out with his two young men, Pierre and
Jean.
Were they his sons? No. Pere
Landure had only a daughter Marie, the
pearl of the coast, a superb lass of 20,
robust and delightful, with eyes of vel
vet and skin like ripe peach. Pierre
and Jean were mariners of the district,
very Tesolute fellows, persistent work
ers, understanding their business, whom
he had employed for a year past to go
fishing in his vessel. With them every
thing went splendidly. 1t was ques-
ton which of the twain had most heart
IN his toll. They were genuine rivals,
forSOOth. The master had his suspi-
clons as to what caused this laudable
zeal. The young fellows were after his
daughter. That was clear. There
was a struggle between them as to
which OF the pair should deserve TO be
accepted as. Marie's husband. Well,
let that go ahead Pere Landure was
not disturbed. His daughter was sage,
and sound in mind as well as in body.
When she wished she would make her
choice, and everything would be ar
ranged.
She would perhaps do well not to de.
lay too long, all the same. For to wait
thus III impatience is not the best thing
tortwo lads equallysmitten For about q
month past Pere Landure had detected
black looks between them, on jeans
side particularly; who was more ardent
than Pierre, more choleric also, perhaps,
and more underhanded. But all that
would be settled on the wedding day
and the rejected lover would console
himself with double share of cider. 1t
would not be the first time such a thing
had been Seen-vexatiOn drowned in a
stout bumper-and pretty giIls were
not scarce III the neighborhoodI
Meanwhile they had worked hard all
the afternoon, very calmly. But sud- |
denly toward O'Clock, the breeze had
freShened.
Hola! sailors, what does this means |
Pere LanduIe had raised his head, put |
his hand above his eyes and scanned |
the horizon Down there, away down |
there, black cloud was scurrylng
along at the utmost speed.
LET go behindl" the master had
shouted, ''and make for landin
And they hastened toward the coast.
But suddenly the wind had shifted,
driving the vessel before it toward the
open sea. What a tempest, great Jupi-
Ter! Never had the two young fellows,
never had Pere Landure himself, old as
he was, seen anything like it. 1t was
surely one ofthOse diabolical hurricanes
mentioned by those who have voyaged
III southern seas; one of those frightful
cyclones that surround one with cir
Gle OF furious winds had made a mis-
take as to the ocean and had fallen I'D
on the wrong waters. Every half hour
the wind shifted and the mad bark.
turning about, shot off in an unknown
direction through whirlpools of waves
as high as houses. How was it that it
had not foundered twenty times? Its
ribs must he solidly boltedl Stoutly
decked as it was, it rolled from wave to
wave, piungiDg, then rising as if by a
miracle, shaken, tossed, dashed, speed
ing along constantly at a fearful rate.
Where was it going now2 That, for
s)sth, the three sailors would have
iound 1t very difficult to say. The night
mad come On-an inky highland they
couldn't see sixty feet in front of them.
For an instant they had perceived the
Belle Isle lighthouse. Now they saw
nothing save tue horror of the dark
ness, heard nothing but the sinister
hoWls OF the wind as it tore its way
through the cordage.
Master" said Pierre, suddenly the
watch-llght is outl"
Try TO relight it below, and be care ,
ful of The fire, answered Pere Landure.
But, no" added he, taking a second
hought; Il will do it myself.n II
And quitting the mast, to which he
mad been cllnglng, the aged sailor took ,
TWO Steps toward the hatchway. Just /
al That moment the sea swept the deck.
a cry burst forth. The deck was empty. 2
Maiheqr!" cried Pierre, "the mas
ter is Overboard!' |,
HE IS done for!" said Jean clinging s
to the tiller.
Inc two men leaned over the rail
searching the darkness with their di- Ii
lated eyes. They saw nothing. i
Ionnerrel" resumed Pierre, "what
Will Marie say?n q
The chances are that we shall never e
replied Jean Ii
"Why?''
because we also will be drowned d
DO you think so?'' a
1T looks like it!'' +
But We do not know
ldea.'' "A .
What is it?n |;
,ho,lIi t1at II the smack should escape it g
onouid take only one of us back to l
'Why?' s
Because of Marie.'
lou are mad, Jeani'' .
am not. We are one too many, '