Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-10-22
WRECK OF THE MYSTIC.

ing papers contained full details, rea
sonably accounting for the disaster
They described graphically the fatal
collision. the sinking of the little boat
my re- cue from what was so nearly q
watcry grave, and the fruitless search
Tor The body of Leonard Sparing. The
industrious reporters faithfully per.
formed their task. They gave all the
facts, so far As it was possible for them
TO learn them, but the whole truth nc
one in the land of the living could have
supplied but myself, and |, though
alive, was rs good rs dead to all that
transpired around me. Importunate
hews-g athcrers, sympathizing stran-
gers, and suffering friends were alike
GnaUlc TO obtain one coherent sentence.
My partially pa alyzed, only semi-con.
scious brain either refused to act ut all,
or, failing to comprehend that had
escaped impending calamity, caused
the organs VI speech only 10 whisper
pleadingly, Don't! o., don't"
In Il lew dals there was great
Change Tor the better. Full conscious
ness returned. but / was too weak To
sp ak. W hiic in this state | overheard
snIichcs OF the conversation OF those
"a, g, ones VINO watched lovingly abou,
my U'd, and !caracd the accepted ex-
PLANTATION OF the awful tragedy that
lad prodpc Il sucn bitter grief in one
family and 80 iuuci Suffering in anoih-
tr. 1t WAS thcn tHat formed the res
o ution | have SO sacrcdly kept, that
Tor the sake OF the ,tcad my own YER
sion OF the rradtul affair should not
dillcr from that II reaay SO well Known
Whether did right or wrong it is
not Tor TIE To say now; The only apollo
~ ] have to cli'r IS tnat | then beicv-
cd Il Tor thc b,s'; tnst acning hearts
WOuld not break II burned tho real
tru'h deep in my own breast.
But you ilaye 81 right 10 know ALL
Il Is my du.y to share this secret with
you. We are sajing ont OF port to-
Scthcr IN Il new ship, We arr To traverse
the unknown seas; the say is Gear, the
breeze favorable, The surface OF the
ocean Of he as Tar Us the eye can reach
Is unrUfled, and before us there is full
promise o; ~ pleasant and success ,ful
voyage. ) tal W. not, before we cross
The harbor bar, UniocN our treasury OF
secrets and in,p, G. ;hc contcn,s?
Jais incident al the Mystic is one.
There shon.d no longer bc amy mystery
alb mt IL.
.. curse you remember LEONARD
Sparkling. We wei.t 10 schoo! together
and studied in the Same class. Even
in our school days he was gallant
lad. He used to carry my books for
me after school. and in many storm
we shared the same umbrella. After
his return from college we IN t az ain,
and soon became as firm friends as
ever. / had no suspicion that he low
ed me then. His whole being seemed
wrapped up in his mother first. then
his boat and his studies. always sup
POSED | came last in his thoughts I'M
Ill he declared that his chief object in
life was to make me his wife. | told
him Inc was jcsting, and refused to be-
Ileyc that he meant what he said. |
;hink he was panied when | told him
afterward that | believed he loved his
boat more than he could ever love any
woman on earth. You know what q
sailor he was. He knew his craft as
thoroughly as an old sea captain, and
could go anywhere along the shores of
the lake or bay, in the dark. without
rowing or padding stroke. knew
was safe on the water with him, for
while he WAS very fond of practical
jokes he never run any foolish risks.
yet was always in 4 state of nervous
terror while sailing. And he was never
happier than when he had me in the
bow, with the Mystic flying through
the waves before u sim ureczc, or
y tchiag ami tossing like cookie
smell. aud driving me haf wi Il with
irtgui. He hoped in ti'ue To make II
SauOr OF mr. but l never got over nay
horror of the water. and OH how !
drrad it nowl
. That fatal evening Nj. Spariiur was
an niS happiest mood. ii mad invited
nie 10 80 Tor a sal, and had CONSENT
cd without u single ooj elton or express
sion of fear.
IL am more than ever fond OF YOU
tonight. MARY. he sad. rs we walk
ed lcisureiy down To tho little VIII trf
where he kept his boat. You are
=, ttlng To bc jlSt brave as good
woman ough, 10 nc.
Then he Iold me again of the a,tcra-
lions aud Improvements ne had made
in the Mystic, aud continued to speak
on his tavorite theme Til We reached
the bay. There before u, lay the chief
joys of Leouard's iifc-the wide cx-
pause OF Gay and lake cleaning in the
golden radiance OF the setting sun,
ani the Mystic in all the glory OF a
new sail ami paiat, the swiitcst and
preitiest Of iii the liitlc crat that
skinned those waters.
.'She is indeed perfect GEN." |
exclaimed. wncn caught sight OF her
Leonard stared at me in wonder
ment, / had never said SO much in nd
miration of anything nautical before.
lie did not speak tor some time. but
the expression OF his face was a rcvela-
ton. lie helped me into the boai with
more than his usual care, and seating
me in the bow, stood for an instant
gazing steadily toward mo, as ii he
would read me throu Ri and through.
The scrutiny was not unsatisfactory.
saw that he attributed the expression
of pleasure with which had received
his proposition to sail, and the compli-
ment had paid to his boat less to love
of the water than desire TO please
him.
"You will soon be sailor. Mary"
he said, rs he trimmed the sail to the
breeze. ''and then We will live togcth-
or on the water, won't we?"
ii can't promise you that, Leon
ard" replied smiling. ''but | mean
to fight my fears till l overcome
them.
A cloud passed over his counte-
nance. but the hopeful expression quick
ly resumed sway over his features.
..If you have clear head and a
strong arm at the helm. Mary, you
may cast away your fears. am al
ways on the water. and have never had
an accident yet You trust me. don t
youp"
Indeed / do. Leonard. You are a
grand sailor. Whom could l trust as
/ do your"
Then you are not afraid now?"
he said, inquiringly.
"Oh, yes, l ana little" At that
moment the boat gave a sudden plunge
before gust of wind, and screamed
with fright. There was really no
cause for alarm. and Leonard reas-
sured me with many tender words.
II have perfect faith in you as q