The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-01-29

relief. hulda, watching her, saw only
a deadly whiteness creep over her lips. |
and with the first touch Of pity in her
heart, folded her veil away, and said.
unwisely enough, but meaning it
kindly. -,
be yours, JEAN" i
Then Jean, without look, turned
from her and left the room. She
sought to be safe from herself, for
ficndish 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 ut 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;
:.Plexse make me goOd!' And all the
hate for Hulda left her breast. and
her love for Ned-her yearning. ach-
ing love for him-sOftened into q
sort of tender memory. She was still
sad. A painful humility crushed her
heart - longing for love oppressed
her but when she had prayed for
herself, when she had striven with
herself, the evil spirit had departed.
Soon, with her white, well-develOped
milk maids arms under her head, she
slept upon the messy roof. under the
canopy Of the stars.
At last she began to dream. They
were going to church-Hulda and Ned
and she heard the wedding bells;
but going in ut 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 wed.
ding bclls-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 sobbimg,
surging sound fell upon her ears.
Lights cleaned in all the houses OF the
town. The truth flashed upon her:
Years before, her old grandmother had
told her how the old sea wall had been
washed away, and tide had risen and
swept in upon them on that wild coast
i of Lincolnshire, carrying with 1t. a. II
went out, kline and fOcks and little
| dwellings. and even land itself; and
how there was mourning throughout
the land for those that It had done t.
death-men and women and children
Young and Old-sO that many house
i hold long remembered it with woe
This had happened again. The se'
A wall was down, the floods were sweep
n ing in. The bells were ringing as the.
q had rung before in the ears OF thos'
' who lay in their graves-riAging t
: tell the same tale to those who wer'
e then unborn.
i The house in which she dwelt wa
4 old, and near the sea: far from all hu
4 man aid too: and its occupants YER
d two very old people and two girls
- The only one who could have aide
e them was far away. But for this Jea
4 could have thanked Heaven, for h
,s was safe, and the waters were risin
4 even now above the windows Of tn
d lower rooms. She could see the star
T. light reflected in it in CLEANS an
II sparkles, and she knew that the oil
:. people must be drowned in their bed
a II she did not waken them. She wer
n down into the room where they slep
~ and cried out, as she shook then
,e THE tide has risen again The It'd
T. has risen again. Hear the bells y
10 Then she led them. trembling an
weeping in their helpless Old-age.
10 the roof. and found Hulda alread
n crouched there. She was crying ais
4 and she turned to Jean and clutche
i'm her arm.
nj Twill the water rise SO far?" 81
a. asked. Twill l be drowned? l wi
II. was to be married tomorrow? oh,
Ell can't be, JEAN