Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-21


stood and worked to do good, and in Gods
providence tried to be. the means of saving
the lives of people who were nothing to
him?
Thus his thoughts ran over and over
again, repeating themselves like the voices
of mocking demons, while outwardly he
labored on as snremittingly as though no
influence of the kind were at work, piling
on fresh fuel for the flames, or pushing
some burning log into better position, and
in that way he won the victory.
Peace succeeded to the wild storm of
agitation which had momentarily threat
ened to engulf him. Thus the night wore
through.
With the morning came great calm
One would not have thought that the sun
hecked waves which came leaping in,
white-crested and tumuItuous, to meet the
stern barrier of rocks, and crawl up, up
almost to their SUBMITS, could be aught
but playful in their force. All, it is a
treacherous beauty-that of the sea.
Too tired to notice the beauty of the
transition from storm to sunshine, Owen
walked slowly home. His work was done,
and he must have rest.
He was in that miserable state of mind
which oftentimes follows some great exal-
tation of spirits The thought that Annis
had gone away without his seeing her
again weighed upon his mind like an I'M
welcome incubus.
At the voice of Robert Hunter, who
stopped to accost him, he shrank and trem-
bled as though in pain, but he listened as
intently as though his life depended upon
what he was about to say. Had he pro-
posed to Annis, and had he been accepted :?
Glenn" he began, g wish you and |
could change places about last nights
| work"
dts rather late for that now," was the
| quiet answer.
Pm fully aware Of the fact, and that's
what | regret about it. I'm afraid Pm
| dished in certain direction"
"What do you mean?" asked Owen with
sudden interest.
"Why, if you believe it, might just as
well have left my visit unpaid last night
indeed, had far better have done so. Annis
was so interested at the chance of there be-
ing a ship outside in distress that it was all
| could do to prevail upon her not to face
the storm and come and help she said
and she gave me some pretty hard rubs, |
can tell you, about my leaving You alone
to do the good work. as she called it.
don't believe that little Annis will look at
me again without thought in her mind of
what ought to have done and didn't"
Such tide of Joy rushed through Owen
| Glenn's heart that he could hardly speak,
and while he was struggling to hide his
emotion Robert went on with his revela-
tons, little realizing the effect of his
words:
"She's not going home to-day just on
that account She told me to tell you to
come up and see her and tell her all about
it. / wish it had been my luck to make
such a hit. Women are great on any one
who touches their feelings. You ought to
she was lecturing me about not staying to
help you. | never saw her look so pretty.
/ But, halo! what has come over you?"
/ For Owen was hurrying off in the direction
of the cliffs.
As he went Robert caught a look upon
his face which told him more than Owen
intended. He stood staining at him, think
ing to himself
g see it all Ny failure will be Owens
4 opportunity. Well, he's good fellow and
as long as | can't have her, what odds
| does it make? And saw last night she
cared no more for me than if had been a
stick"
When Annis caught sight of Owen APP
| preaching the cottage she ran out with an
| impulsiye, oh, how glad am to see you !
| do want to tell you what | think of you"
] Then she stopped short. Something in
| Ovens face filled her with confusion. But
outstretched hands were already within his
clasp, and his low murmured words of love
were sounding in her ears;
q am as glad as you that | have done
something to please you; for oh, Annis
4 love you so dearly that | would do or dare
| anything for your sake"
| And then, she never knew how it came
about but his arms were about her and his
kisses were upon her lips, and she found
that she loved him so well she was willing
to promise to be his wife, whenever he
4 should be able to earn enough to make a
home for her.
They were both young, and it would not
be hard to wait and they were so sure of
4 one another's love.
| The prospect was at first that several
years must elapse before their marriage, but
suddenly all was changed for them as if by
magic
] A letter came from abroad within twelve
month 1t was addressed to the minister
of the little seaside village, and asked for
information as to the person or persons
who had kindled beacon light in answer
to signal of distress from a sailing vessel
on the night of -, giving the correct
date and time when Owen had sacrificed
inclination to the dictates Of duty and of
humanity.
That light had saved a valuable cargo
from being lost, and the writer proposed to
| give half of the proceeds to the parties who
| bad been instrumental in the matter.
| Also q medal was to be struck off commem-
orative of his gratitude that the lives Of all
on board had been thus preserved to their
| families
Owen became at once the boast of the
lvillage. For when a mans fame has
reached foreign countries his own towns
people are always sure to re-echo it.
| The wedding day was set for the first an
anniversary of the evening when his good
fortune came to him in the grIise of disap-
lpointment, and Robert Hunter was the
first to congratulate the young couple.
I Who'd have thought he whispered to
IOwen, that the tables would have been so
Eturned Truly, There's a tide in the
Eafiairs of men which, taken at the flood,
beads on to fortune, and you took it, my
boy Philadelphia Call