The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-17


| answered. "Well, mine first I've
no objection, Owen, for to day has
made me the happiest man in the
world. Jesse Redburn has consented
to be my Sife."
"What?"
The word echoed loud across the
waters as Owen Peuley leaped to his
feet. | have rever forgotten how he
looked at that moment. The change
on his oountenance was as though the
moon had suddenly vanished behind q
cloud, so dark and lowering was it,
expression. His black brows were
brought together; his eyes flashed up
on me as if fire was in them; his lips
were compressed, his hands clenched
All mirth had gone. He lowered over
me like giant, or mailman that he
really was.
"What's the matter. Owen3" l in.
quired amazed.
"Unsay those words, Amos !" he
said, hoarsely, between his teeth. Gas
you value your life, unsay them "
"What words ?" | asked. "That
Jessie has promised to be my wife ? ]
cannot! Why should IT,
"Why p he almost shouted. "Be-
cause love her! Because / have
worked, toiled, saved only for one pur.
pose-to make her my wife How
dare you, Amos, come sneaking in be.
tween How dare you interfere with
my happiness p
"You love jessie Redburn, too7'
| calculated, distressed. 81 am sorry,
o ven | never guessed it,"
"Then now you know" he broke in
''you must give her up"
81? You talk folly, Owen! Be.
sides surely it is for Jessie to decide
and she has decided"
"Only because you asked her first,
he exclaimed, so strange an expression
on his features that as | glanced round
at the waste of water was frightened
Il meant to ask her to morrow. See
| bought this for her only to-day y
Taking out white box he plucllcd
from it pretty silver brooch. "You
wondered at my high spirits. They
were because | felt rich enough to ask
Jessie to be my wife; and-now--'
He paused, then added, with startling
calmness and intensity, "Amos, give
her up, for | swear you shall neved
wed her !"
Do you take me for a coward
Owen? As you have toiled aud work.
ed, so have / for the the same purpose
| would rather surrender my life thar
Jessie"
With howl of rage he leaped al
me, but suspecting him, seized E
broken oar and stood on the defensive
Owen looked round for a weapon
To my horror he espied an adze clos,
to his feet, and caught it up
l felt that my fate was sealed. II,
was giant to me, and we were alone
at night at sea, the moon the sole wit
| ness.
But reason had not entirely forsaker
him.
"No," he exclaimed, "I'll not strik,
you down, as | could. Your bod,
might be washed ashore, and | accus
ed of having killed you. Then Jessie
wouldn't marry me. But you shal
die for all that, and it shall bethough
an accident"
Whereupon, raising the adze will
a giants strength, he commenced
chopping away at the bottom plank
of the boat.
He intended to swamp it. He wa
an excellent swimmer, l a poor one.
Seeing the rapidly flying chips,
sprang forward, striking with all m,
might at the madman, for so consid
cred him.
With mocking laugh he parrie'
the blow
Again | struck at him. AS I did s.
my feet splashed in water
He had succeeded in making tn
leak.
The smack was filling fast.
| ! know we were too far from tn
land for me ever to reach it by swim
ming though he might. saw dealt
was certain; despair made me furious
| thought of Jessie-my betrothed bu
for few hours.
Taking the oar in both hands, m
teeth set, | dashed at my would be-de
stroyer.
He skilfully avoided the blow, rush
ed at me, seized me in his arms, an
lifted me into the air like child.
Was he going to fling me into 'th
sea? No. Even as the thought pas,
I'd through my brain, like a wrestle
he hurled me down with fearful vic
lence TO the bottom of the boat.
| was conscious of sudden pain i
my hip, and of deadly sickness. The
my heart tnrobbed with a great thro
as | heard boat. Raising my voice
called aloud for help.
| My enemy stood a moment und
cided then, the foam on his lip
strove again to lift me-; but, despit
the agony | suffered, | clung to Il
mast, made strong by hearing II
voices coming closer.
owen heard them too. He grour
his teeth as he hissed in my ear, g
you've escaped me now, Amos, it
only for time! We two will me
agalu, when there shall be no chan
of Others parting u.s."
So saying he left me, and, as l sa
him spring into the sea, became il
sensible.
When | came to | found myself
my own bed suffering agony in my hi
A doctor had been sent for, al
when he came he said it had been d
located.
1t was long illness, and on
Jessie's love kept me from despair,
not only was my boat gone, but | W
: told | should be lame all my life.
/ groaned when | heard 1t, a
thought "Surely Jessie will not be
blame if she refuses me nowl"
But such an idea never entered
mind, nor old Redburn's. She "
: fondness, he kindness itself.
' When finally l could limp out, W
, a stick, in the sunshine, it was Jessi
= arm on which | leaned.
70 OF Owen, no one heard anythiI
1t was said, strong swimmer thou
y he was. he could never have reach
u