The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-08-09
NO LONGER ADAMANT.

Through the bright waters of the
Atlantic Ocean lighted by the rays of
an unclouded sun, the ship Cornwall,
bound to Cuba, sped swiftly ON her
way.
Watching the silvery fying-fish
spreading their gauzy glittering wings
as they darted to and fro, stood Grace
Manton, one of the passengers, a
beautiful girl of seventeen. By her
side, gazing admiringly upon her
smooth glowing cheeks and starry eyes,
was Robert Harding, the young cap
tain of the vessel.
He had known Grace for several
years, and had endeavored to win her
for his wife; but, although he was
favored by her parents, the damsel had
always contrived to answer him evasive-
ly when he proposed to her.
BYt as she was now aboard his craft,
having taken passage with her father
for trip to Havana, Captain Harding
hoped, before reaching that port, to
obtain satisfactory reply to the ques-
ton he had so often put to her.
Thus far, however, he had been un-
successful, although the ship was at
present within days sail of the place
of her destination.
At last finding her alone on the deck,
he attempted to "bring her to the
point" and told her she could make
him happy by just one little word"
But suppose it was No. instead of
.Yes'?n
I'VE will take it for granted that it
would be 'Yes-shall we not?" said the
captain.
Immediately she contrived to change
the subject, and before he could again
revert to it she was gone into the cabin.
In the afternoon the wind had died
away, and there was calm.
So clear was the water that, looking
far down into the depths, Grace,
who was again by the quarter-rail.
could see the outlines of rocks near the
bottom, many of them curiously shaped,
with shoals of bright-colored fish dart
ing in and out of the little hollows and
caverns there, and occasionally circling
round the miniature turrets of the
many spiral conical shells adhering to
the rugged masses.
As the young girl leaned still further
over the rail to obtain a better view of
these things, the chain of handsome
gold locket she wore having caught on
the ragged edge of some copper sheath
ing on the top of the bulwarks, snap
ped in twain aud before she could
catch the trinket, away it went into the
sea.
''Oh, that is too bad-the birthday
present papa gave me-" she cried.
Captain Harding, who was on deck,
heard her words, and soon learned OF
her loss.
She pointed out the black shadow,
under water. in which the locket had
disappeared, and then said misehiev-
ously.
..As you can swim and dive like a
fish, You should try to get it for me-"
Certainly; that is just what I mean
to do"
mo, no." she said; 81 was not in
earnest. You must not go down so far
under water; it would be dangerous
Never mind the locket."
But Harding was not to be turned
from his purpose.
He went into the cabin, soon reap
pearing in blouse and pair of thin
white trousers.
Grace Manton's father, who was now
on deck, seconded his daughter in hel
efforts to dissuade the young man from
diving after the locket, but he remained
firm
Springing upon the rail, he plunged
headlong into the ocean, and his sup
pie form was seen descending swiftly
through the clear depths, until it dis
appeared in the black shadow cast by
the rock.
Several minutes passed, but there was
no sign of the captain.
Grace turned pale and trembled.
"Oh, papa!' she gasped, ''where Ii
s'God help him!' cried her father
81 am afraid he will be lost"
"Yes," said the mate, shaking hi.
head sadly. at was perilous work
diving among those rocks. | fear ht
has been caught under one of them"
"a boat was at once lowered anC
manned, but the crew watched in vain
for the temperance of the pnfortu
nate man.
"There can be no doubt about it-h'
is lost" cried the mate.
Grace uttered one wild despairine
cry, and fell senseless in the arms Of
her father, who. taking her up con
Veyed her below.
The ships doctor applied restora
tives, and she was soon restored II
consciousness.
AS the dreadful truth flashed on he
mind she moaned and raised one hant
to her head.
.sOh, papa, how miserable / am?
she sobbed, the tears streaming from
her eyes. 81 can never have peac,
again in this world"
Console yourself my child. Sad a
it is, you must bear it,"
mo, nor' she cried. 81 cannot
Only few hours before | panied hin
i hurt his feelings by trihing witt
him."
There you were wrong; but at leas
| it was not your fault that he dived TO
the locket. You tried to dissuade hin
| from it.
"Yes; but fear it was my triain.
that made him reckless of his life. !"
Aud, with the tears still raining dow
I her cheeks, she rocked herself to ant
fro.
The doctor had now Withdrawn, AM
she and her parent were the only oc
cupants of the cabin.
ssPapar' she cried at last, what shal
/ do? What can / do? / have los
him! l have lost him!'
And, starting up, she paced tn
cabin-door rapidly, wringing her hands
my child!' said her father anxious
ly, '.you will craze yourself if you g
on in this manner. You must be con
soled."
.-Can you bring him back to meP
che said wildly,