The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-14

Leave that to me, Elsie, ma darlin't'
He had no right to call me his darling,
but was beginning to be very much afraid.
and so said nothing about that. But all
at once rush. whirl, and a roar caused
me to scream out as squall struck our
little craft and made it heel over, wetting
me to the skin at the same time. As q
matter of fact, we fisher lassies are not at
all brave upon the sea, though it may be
almost our native element. There are very
few Grace Darliugs among us. Indeed, we
hardly ever venture into boat at all. So
it is not to be wondered at that my cour-
age should fail utterly when we began to
ship heavy seas.
so, take me home, Edam, or know we'll
never win back at all ~
But he took no notice more than to put
things right and tight in a skillful way
could not but admire, however angry
began to feel toward him.
'Are you never going to turn, Edam
Carr!' broke out at last.
A suspicion which | had often heard
breathed in the village came back to me
then, and trembled for our lives. They
said that 'Edam Carr was gettin' the same
queer look his fayther had afore he went
out of his head and drowned hisselfpn and
remembering this and the few words his
mother had whispered, inclined to think
he was mad at times. When l spoke he
laughed out loud 1t was the first time
gave me an odd feeling.
$50 you're afraid ma bonnie Elsiel It's
a long time since you and l were as much
alone together as we are now; nothing but
the boat that holds us two on all that
world o. waterl Eh, but it's fine to have
you all to myself like this" ~ n
care you mad % | exclaimed, my thouYnSs'
taking words all unconsciously.
Edam laughed again, that horrible cruel
laugh which had no mirth in it.
May be. Sometimes l think am my
self, but if am, it's for love o you"
His eyes were so bright and so wild l
could not bear to look at them, and his
hand, as he took hold of mine burned with
fever.
For mercy's sake, Edam, take care If
we don't mind we'll be both in the water"
cam what o. that? At any rate we'll
drown together, and you'll never belong to
another man"
clasped my hands in agony of terror.
. what fool | had been not to have
guessed what might happen | thought of
the poor BARNS at home waiting for me
now to give them their suppers, and hear
their prayers, and tuck them up in their
beds, and the tears rolled down my cheeks
at the thought of how long they might have
to wait.
80 Edam, didn't think we could be so
cruelr' | said between my sobs. But even
the tears failed to move him.
You have been cruel enough to me-it's
my turn now'' he answered sullenly, as
he altered the sail.
By this time the lurii CLEAN had almost
died out from the sky, and all was dark
around US. The wind was blowing strongly
and hurting the mass of clouds across the
heavens at head-long speed, and tearing at
the water until the air and the waves
mingled in one wild fray. How our little
boat lived at all in such a storm is more
than | can understand. In the hands of a
less experienced boatman we should have
been lost in no time.
"Do have pity on me and the poor little
ones that have only me to look to. Edam
dear Edam"
GAY, it's dear Edam now you're in my
power, but how long would it last il | let
you win safe to land' Elsie, if you say
you'll be my wife I'll make for the shore
this minute-if not"
What them" l faltered.
"I'll run us straight on to the RIBS o.
DEATH and there'll be an end on't!"
What was to doi tried to be false to
Willie for the sake of dear life, but it was
no use. couldn't get out the words which
would make me so! If | must die | must,
and there was no help for it; but, Oh! it
was hard, while the young blood flowed
quick and warm in my veins, to be plunged
headlong into eternity.
! gave one loud, despairing cry.
%. Willie, Willie! can you not hear me?
If you were only by | know you could save
me. It's for your sake die, Willie; but l
love you so, love you sol"
Then die, Elsie, for ye shall never be his
wife,"
| sank down in the bottom of the boat
and closed my eyes l could not look at
my death, though 1 knew now it must
come. A dull stupor crept over me- and
the agony of fear which held me before
i ,ln,.n Il
ton which made me think something had
happened which sounds perfectly incredi-
BILE. 1t was getting too dark to distinguish
plainly, but, surely, that was Edam Carr S
big form l saw at the other end of the boat
STOPPING over coil of rope. Then who
was the man busted with the sail in the
center of it, We were shut off from all
human help there in the midst of a bowling
tempest, and yet some one had managed
to come on board, and evidently to give us
his assistance. No other vessel could pos
sibly have approached us while my eyes
were shut certainly not without my hear
ing it. Where, then, had this stranger
through my mind, but at the time l
was too stupefied to wonder much. My
faculties seemed dulled, and | could neither
suffer nor fear any more. | simply
waited for the end. I could see dimly the
sharp ridge of rocks we were nearing and
from which nothing short of a miracle
now could keep us. But this miracle did
take place. All at once our course changed
and the boat turned from its dangerous
way. Then, and not till then, did Edam
seem to awaken to the knowledge that he
was no longer managing affairs. With a
sudden oath he started up and crept for
ward.
When he got to the figure standing with
its back toward him, / saw him raise his
arm to thrust it aside. Then slowly, slow
ly it turned and looked him straight in the
face.
He cried out wildly: GOOD help me. for
I'm mad now, anyway - and, throwing up
his arms, he leaped overheard into the
seething waves.
| watched him strike out when he rose,
but | was too paralyzed to scream, even.
He had not a chance in that terrible sea,
but was thrown like bit of floating weed
upon the very rocks he had been steering
for, chung there a moment, only to be
swept back by the return of the waves.
saw this in the last lurid streak of light
which flashed across the water before the
night came, and in it were shown at last
the features of my strange companion.
Was it all dream! | did not know even
then, nor did | feel afraid, but as those
eyes met mine thrill ran through me,
and | sank into Inconsistencies. Late
that night, when some of the men went
down to see that their boats were secure,
they found Edam Carr's new boat safely
drawn up on the beach and me lying in il
in dead faint.
After that came n time of dull, stupid
misery to mo | cOuld nevar ansvyar mas.