The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-02

relief. Hulda, watching her, saw only
. deadly wilderness creep over her lips.
and with the first touch of pity In her
heart, folded her veil away. and said.
unwisely enough. but meaning 1t
kindly. -,
mo doubt. the next wedding will
be yours, Jean"
Then Jean, without q look, turned
from her and left the room. She
sought to he safe from herself. for
fiendish thoughts possessed her; and
longing for solitude and quiet, she
climbed ladder that led to the tiled
roof, and seeking the shelter OF the
great chimney, sat down in its shadow
and looked up at the sky. 1t was
calm and full Of stars. Its peaceful
ness had an instant influence on her.
Repentent tears began to flow. She
PRAYED as simple children pray;
..Piease make me goodr' And all the
hate for Hulda left her breast, and
her love for Ned-her yearning, ach-
ing love for him-sOftened into .
sort of tender memory. She was still
sad. A painful humility crushed her
heart longing for love oppressed
her but when she had prayed Tor
herself, when she had striven with
herself, the evil spirit had departed:
Soon, with her white. well-develOped
milk-maid's arms under her head, she
slept upon the messy roof, under the
canopy Of the stars. .,
At last she began to dream. Ihey
were going to church-Hulda and Ned
and she heard the wedding bells;
Int gOing in at the door she saw. in
stead Of gayly dressed guests, MOURN
ers all in black and coffin before the
altar. and gave scream and waken-
ed. Bells were ringing, but not we'd
ding bells-the bells that tOlled II
there were any need Of the men OF the
place-if fire broke out, or robbers
were heard of, or there were any riot
ing in the town. What could 1t
mean?
Jean listened. A strange sobbing,
surying sound fell upon her ears.
Lights cleaned in all the houses OF the
town. The truth flashed upon her.
Years before, her old grandmother mad
told her how the old sea wall had been
washed away, and tide had risen and
swept in upon them on that wild coast
of Lincolnshire, carrying with 1t, as u
went out, kline and ilOcks and little
dwellings, and even land itself; and
how there was mourning throughout
the land for those that it had done Il
death-men and women and children
Young and old-sO that many Il house
hold long remembered it with woe
This had happened again. The Sc;
wall was down, the Hoods were sweep
ing in. The bells were ringing as the.
had rung before IN the ears OF thos'
who Law in their graves--ringing L
tell the same tale to those who wer
then unborn.
The house in which she dwelt wa
old, and near the sea: far from all hu
man aid too; and its occupants yer
two very old people and two girls
, The only one who could have aide
them was far away. But for this Jea
could have thanked Heaven, for h
was safe, and the waters were risin
even now above the windows Of tn
lower rooms. She could see the stal
!. LIGHT reflected i'm il in CLEANS an
: sparkles. and she knew that the oil
people must be drowned in their bed
, If she did not waken them. She wer
down into the room where they slep
= and cried out. AS she shook then
! '.Thc tide has risen again The It'd
has risen again Hear the bells ~
/, Then she led them. trembling m
wecpinc in their helpless old-agc.
a the roof. and found Hulda alread
: crouched there. She was crying ais
and she turned to Jean and clutch,
n her arm.
4 xviii tho water rise so far?" 81
: asked. xviii | be drowned? i wi
!. was to he married tomorrow? Oh,
A can't be. Jean!'
) "O,hers will 20 with you, If "
g are" said Jean. There are four
Il us"
4 ..Rut no other besides would ha
# been so happy and so proud tome
r row. said Hulda. and bcmoaned he
self. The old people shook al
!. PRAYED. and cried softly.
"a Jean, cain and silent. kept waite
n The lights floating about told tn
;, boats were out. lIclp might cor
\. even vet. but the water was creepii
# M. II filled the house. II tapped I
Is very caves. Still il rose. higher al
: higher and higher. Those upon I
N roof climbed tn the very apex OF
II slope, and clung there. but the wat
n. reached their feet. and Hulda was qn
10 | mad with terror. when light Gil
"A mcrcd close before them. and a vol
nj cried:
|, Good folks. there's room for Sol
i here. How many of you are there
le -Four" said Jean.
rs "We'ye room for three" said
h. voice. els il We'ton's folk?'
IN Eyes" said Jean.
az Then stout fellow strobe over
ke roof and carried away the old WON;