The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-07

louder and stronger. saw, far to the eastward, a brig beating ap for Wick, with reef in her topsaiis. It was evi- dent that her captain had read the signs of nature as had done. Behind her a long, lurid haze lay los upon the water, co0cealng the horizon. "I had better push on," thought to myself, "or the wind may rise before can 9ek back" suppose must have been at least . mile from the house when ! suddenly stopped and listened hreathlessly. My ears were so accustomed to the noises of nature, the signing of the breeze, and the sob of the waves, that any other sound made itself heard at great distance. waited, listening with all my ears. Yes, there it was again-a long-6rawn, shrill cry of despair, ringing over the sands and echoed back from the hills behind me piteous appeal for aid. It came from the direction of my house. turned and ran back homeward at the top of my speed, ploughing through the sand, racing over the shinglel h my mind there was a great dim perception of what had occurred.
 About quarter of q mile from the house there is a high sand-hill, from which the whole country round is visible. When reached the top of this, paused for moment. There was the old gray building-there the boat. Every thing seemed to be as had left it. Even as 1 gared, however, the shrill scream was re- peated, louder than before, and the next moment tall figure emerged from my door-the figure of the Russian sailor. Over his shoulder was the white form of l the young girl, and even in his haste he seemed to bear her tenderly and with gentle reverence. could hear her wild cries and see her desperate struggles to break away from him. Behind the couple came my old hoasekeeper, stanch and true as the aged dog who can no longer bite, but still snarls with toothless gums at the intruder. She staggered feebly along at the heels of the ravisher, waving her long, thin arms, and hurling, no doubt, volleys of Scotch curses and imprecations at his head. saw at a glance that he was making for the boat A sudden hope sprang up in my soul that l might be in time to intercept him. 1 ran for the beach at the top of my speed. As ran slipped cartridge into my re- volver. This determined should be the last of these invasions.
 was too late. By the time l reached the waters edge he was hundred yards away, making the boat spring with every stroke Of his powerful arms. 1 uttered a wild cry of impotent anger, and stamped up and down the sands like . maniac. He turned and saw me. Rising from his seat he made me graceful bow, and waved his hand to me. It was not tri- umphant or derisive gesture. Even my furious and distempered mind recognized it as being a solemn and courteous leave taking. Then he settled down to his oars once more, and the little skiff shot away out over the bay. The sun had gone down now, leaving a single, dnll red streak upon the water. which stretched away until 1t blended with the purple haze on the horizon. Gradually the skin grew smaller and smaller as 1t sped across this lurid hand uptil the shades of night gathered round 1t and 1t became mere blur upon the lonely sea. Then this vague loom died away also and darkness settled over it--a dizziness which should never more be raised.
 And why did pace that solitary shore, hot and wrathful as a wolf whose whelp has been torn from k2 Was 1t that 1 loved this Muscovite girl7 No--a thou sand times no. l am not one who, for the sake of a white skin or a blue eye, would belle my own life and change the whole tenor of my thoughts and exist ence. My heart was untouched. But my prde- there had been cruelty wounded. To think that l had been un- able to afford protection to the helpless one who craved it of me, and who relied on mel It was that which made my heart sick and sent the blood burning through my ears.
 That night great wind rose up from the sea, and tas wild waves shEiekeA spon the shore as though they would tear it back with them into the ocecan. The turmoil and the uproar were congenial to my vexed spirit. All night wandered up and down wet with spray and rain, watching the gleam of the white breakers and listening to the outcry of the storm. My heart was bitter against the Russian. joined my feeble pipe to the screaming of the gale. eff he would but come back again !n cried with cienched hands |; !" if he would but come backi"
 He came back. When the gray fight of morning spread over the eastern sky and lt up the great waste of yellow. tossing waters, with the brown cloads drifting swiftly over them, then saw him once again. A hundred yards of along the sand there lay . long dark object, cast up by the fury of the waves. It was my boat much shattered and splintered. A little further on a vague, shapeiess shallow water, an mixed with shingle and with seaweed. saw at . glance that it was the Russian, face downward, and dead. rushed into the water, and dragged him up on the beach. t was only when turned him over that dis covered that she was beneath him, his dead arms escircling her, his naneled body still intervening between her and the fury of the storm It seemed that the fierce German sea might beat the