The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-05-31
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MOONLIGHT AND FLOODS.

The foods were out at Wendelthorpe.
Boats were moving hither and thither in
the lower-lying streets, and out in the
open country field after field was changed
to lake. From amid the waters rose a
solitary farm house, black.against darken-
ing sky. The surging flow heaved and
tossed and struck heavily upon it; here was
no languidly spreading expanse, but the
hurry of the swollen river rushing impa-
tiently forward and rising in its impatience
higher and ever higher. AT an upper
window six persons were gathered, watch
ing the motions of light that came and
went slowly, and seemed to be drawing
nearer by degrees. The group was made
up of the farmer, his wife, their three chill
dren, and young man who was the eldest
daughter lover The light was manifestly
approaching, the dark shape of boat be-
came distinct, they heard the dip and splash
of the oars; at last the boat paused in the
lee of the house, and their rescue was Sc
cure 1t could be seen now, in the light
of the lantern, that there were several per-
sons in the boat, and that one of them was
woman.
A voice called upward to those within,
GLOW many are you 2'
And voice called downward in reply,
"Six."
To that answer followed moment of
silence.
Then, amid the sound of the water, came
up the words, "We have only room for
four"
"Shall you be able to come back for the
others ?" asked the farmer.
Again followed pause, brief but suffi-
Client to foreshadow the coming negative.
"No, hardly; it was getting too dark and
too dangerous.
Within were quick questionings and de-
mails, half-heard debate, caught and lost
again between the ominous beating of the
rising floods. By daybreak the housetop
would scarcely be left above water, even if
the walls should be strong enough to hold
out so long.
"Jack and 1 will stay" said the farmer
at last.
eff Jack stays, so will I" answered the
clear voice of his daughter 81
Then man rose in the boat and said
'There is no woman who would say that
foF me, and so let me stay"
The others in the boat looked at him as
he stood leaning one hand against the wall.
He was stranger who had reached Wen
delthorpe only that afternoon, and had
volunteered his services at the starting of
the boat
The woman sitting in the st-rn moved a
little and said; II will stay, too" and all
eyes turned back to her. Her they knew
She was the new mistress of the village
school, grave young woman, and reported
eccentric. .-,-....
There was no remonstrance from the
boat, only slow, ruminating surprise; from
above, indeed, came protests, but faint and
quickly oveTruled.
A window was opened in lower story
the two entered upon a landing that was
already flooded and went quickly upward
Warm, broken thanks met them, and eager
promises of return in the first hour Of
dawn. Then, from the upper window, the
two watched the embarkation of the six
heard their shouts of thanks and of fare.
well, then the dip of the oars, and felt at
their hearts a sudden blank. They stood
side by side, watching the wavering prog
ress of the departure and the wavering re-
Election of the shaken light. At last, when
the boat was far away and no dim echo
reached them of its sounds, they turned
toward each other and toward the inner
room. The room had, in the interval
grown nearly dark, and as they turned this
way they heard the flap of the water, like
q step, on the staircase. 3EH Cs Z
"Have you any hope of their coming
back in time p asked the woman.
Her companion answered 'No," and she
saw through the darkness that he shook his
head.
'Nor have /, said she. faI
They stood aimlessly looking into the fast
darkening room. They had no occupation
but to await the coming up of the water
and they were strangers who had never SC
much as beheld each others faces by full
daylight. The wind and the water went
sweeping by outside, and in the house were
ghostly sounds of doors and windows steal
thily tried and shaken.
Had we not better 60 up to the attic
while we can 2" asked the man by and by
She assented, and they went inward tc
the dark core of the house. The inky soli-
tude below was full of creakings and rust
lings; above shone square of yellow light
revealing steep ladder. Alighted lantern
had been left for them in the attic, together
with food and warm wrappings.
II viii fetch the lantern" said he, and
swung himself quickly upward. e.. TO-. = +
She stood below, holding fast to the side
of the ladder. His quick step sounded
above her head; the light shifted and
frightened, she saw his face in quick illu.
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