The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-12

the curiously fitting character OF ume
and place these were circumstances l
had neither power nor will to resist.
And grew to love her with the heat
and passion of youth. though conscious
always of q something lowering about
her which made it difficult for me to
approach her in the character OF a
lover.
But one evening as we sat together
on the steps leading down to the water
I dared to speak to her as L had never
spoken before. She heard me, but
with agitation in her looks; and when
paused and drew little closer to her
she shrank back. and in a tone almost
of horror she answered that what Ihad
asked her was wholly impossible for
her to grant. Then her manner
softened. and with tears in her eyes she
bade me leave her and forget her.
To me then it seemed that this was
not less impossible, and / said so earn
estly and pleadingly; urging that if it
might not be now it might be in the
future, and imploring for leave only to
hope.
But she, gently and kindly inexora-
Bile, denied me again: then giving way
utterly to tears and with gesture OF
despair she begged of me to 60 and see
her no more.
Scarcely knowing what L did
reached out my arms toward her, and
she, thinking apparently that l meant
to clasp her-though myself know not
even now whether that were really my
intention-moved from me, and would
have fallen backward into the water
had not caught and held her by the
wrist.
In the same instant we both observed
sudden and startling change that had
come over the sky. 1t had been sui
try afternoon, but the oppressive calm
of the past two hours mad ceased, and
the wind, with an omiuous sound OF
storm, was rising in the west. The sun
had set red, and angry, and an artillery
of heavy clouds loaded the westera sky
and spread rapidly until the whole
heavens were obScured, save where one
broad streak of a dull yellow marked
where the sun had lately sunk. The
sea was of one metallic hue-its sur
face was broken by the wind, and little
sullen waves with glittering crestS beat
against the sides of the pier.
The preparations for the storm
alarmed nay companion thoroughly.
She rose quickly and turning to me and
beckOning to her maid, who came on
the instant, said nervously, "Let US go
at once; l am afraid of the Storm"
We were three-quarters of mile
from the shore, and the wind continued
to rise, and the clouds changed from a
leaden to an inky color. Certain winds
brought with them very full and
heavy tide, and the waters. which were
then nearly at the flood, rose as we
went until they were almost flush with
the edge of the pier. A single flash
of lightning parted the clouds and
danced for an instant right over
our heads, followed by prolonged
muttering of thunder. which burst then
into a crashing peal. The arm that
rested in mine trembled, and saw that
my companion was completely over
come by nervous excitement. Her eyes
wandered with troubled look over the
now tossing and swelling waves, and
her whole frame was violently wrought
upon. The maid on one side and upon
the other, held each an arm and strove
to set her at ease. but her fear increased
with every step she took. Suddenly,
when we were distant not a hundred
yards from the shore, glittering mass
of spray was dashed up through the
open beams of the pier, few feet in
front of US. She screamed, pointing at
it with quivering finger, and could
hardly be persuaded to 60 on. The
foam sheet vanished in the instant OF
its appearing, but all her courage had
gone from her; and turning to me she
said piteously: ''Do not delay; let us
make haste; can you not hear the
voices in the wind and sec the faces in
the sea? They are pursuing us; oh! let
us hasten, or we shall be taken"
1t was the very exaltation of terror,
and though she never ceased urging us
to hasten, we were scarcely able to
bring her the few remaining steps to
the shore.
went with her to the door of her
house, and would have gone in, so
troubled and fearful was for her; but
the maid signfied that her mistress had
better be alone, and almost repulsed
me from the door. 1 passed sleep
less, miserable night; and at the earliest
possible hour the next morning went tc
the house and asked anxiously for her.
The maid answered me. saying curtly:
That her mistress was unwell, and
that the doctor was with her." l was
turning away, heartsick, when some
thing in the maid expression arrested
my eye; and looked at her narrowly.
Tell me-" l said, ''who you are, and
what it is that is the matter with your
mistress?'
She laughed little cruel laugh, and
answered: 81 am her keeper!''-1ins.
LeIS Mnnn zine