Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-11-06

UhSAO al hS Oh sum ICY 10
thisp" again asked the mother.
"Over to Grand Menan Island" said
the white-faced girl, shivcring as size
spoke. ''Hc is going to sail in the ship
Vulcan"
HE will never reach there alive, "
returned Mrs. Gwynnc, in voice that
caused Nell TO burst into passion OF
sobbing.
what is the matter?' said the start
led mother. stroking the curly head of
her weeping daughter; "haye you and
Rex quarrelledP'
Nelfs only answer was wilder out
burst of tears.
''Did he ask you to marry him?"
questioned Mrs. Gwynn, raising her
daughters head and looking into her
tear-stained face.
Yes" sobbed Nell.
'And you refused him?'
Nell shook her head.
II wouldn't give him answer" she
said. her sobs breaking forth afresh.
And then she told, rs best she could,
the story of how she had been reveng-
cd upon Rex Thornton for his unkind
words.
''And you have wrecked your life
that the man you love might suffer, !"
said Mrs. Gwynnc; 'for | see 1t all
plainly"
Then an exclamation broke from her
lips, rs she looked seward again.
where is the boat?" she cried, and
Nell forgot her tears in moment.
The gallant little craft was nowhere
in sight, and Nelrs blue eyes burned
with terrible fear.
HE is drowned" she cried, land
have murdered him.
Then she looked anxiously forth
again, her frenzied eyes seeming to
penetrate the angry waves which rolled
so mercilessly III the bay.
IL can see his boat" she cried at
length, "and it is drifting shoreward.
Tell father 10 come 10 the shore rs soon
as he can"
Her words were uttered with .
strange calmness, and in spite of all her
mothers remonstrance. Nell. with u
thick shawl wrapped about her. has
tened from the house. and ran swiftly
down TO where the surf was beating
upon Quoddy Head.
She stood upon bold bluff and looked
out over the angry waters.
The boat was plainly visible in the
rays Of the setting sun. Ii had cap
sized, and was nearing the shore quite
rapidly. the tide being on the flood.
The cold wind chilled and numbed
her, but she kept her vigil upon the
rock, her hungry eyes watching the
nearly submerged boat, 10 which
dark form was cliuging, and she knew
that Rex Thornton was still battling
for his life.
She shuddered and closed her eyes,
and when she looked again a cry of
horror burst from her lips, which were
blue with cold.
The boat was even now amidst the
rocks, where the waters seethed and
foamed like cauldron.
a huge wave lifted its helpless VIC
tim, and dashed him relentlessly for
ward.
His eyes were fixed on Nell with
last despairing look.
Her gaze seemed held by some horri-
bic fascination.
The boat crashed amid the breakers,
and then. with Rex clinging to it, was
hurled forward again, and remained
wedged between two bouldcrs, the hum
cry waves leaping again and again, rs
though they would clutch and drag
back the half drowned wretch who
chung TO the shattered remnant of the
boat.
Nell sprang down the declivity with
the speed of a deer.
She reached the spot where Rex
Thornton lay, and a smile frightened
his sea-drenched face rs she came near
to him.
"Oh, Nell, darling" he cried hoarse-
ly, ''you can do nothing to save me! l
am crushed and mangled. can't help
myself"
His voice had 4 hollow, unnatural
sound, and the smile left his lips as a
sea. higher than the rest, broke over
him and threatened to dislodge the
boat.
But the wind was going down with
the sun, and tho waves beat less fierce
ly; and Nell, despite the cold waters,
reached her lovers side and grasped
his icy hand.
OIL die with you Rex" she said
fervently. But perhaps can get you
ashore"
In vain she exerted hcrpuny strength.
Rex was utterly helpless, and though
the wind was abating. the tide rose
higher and higher, and Rex Thornton.
whose strength was rapidly waning,
begged her TO save her own life while
there was vet time
She would not go. One arm was
clasped about mis- neck; with the other
she chung TO the boat
IL loved you all the time" she said,
''and l will atone for my sin by dying
with YOU"
The boat to which they chung swayed
and rocked as the tide rose higher. and
the still turbulent waters beat around
them, and u strange numbness was
creeping over both Nell and Rex, wl,on
CHEEKY voice reused them, and Cap
tain Gwynne and his hired man came
10 the rescue.
Nell continued her atoncment by
making Rex most capital nurse, as
he slowly recovered, and promises to
further do penance by assuming his
family name. providing he will for
swear the life of sailor, which he
promises faithfully TO do.
The reported drowning of 10000
L.. L.. Nl.tf