The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-06-08

quick as thought the answer came, low
voiced but distinct:
Last night the moon had golden
ring"
"Ohw exclaimed Kate, nervously, to
her companions; 'if these words should
be an omen!'
"A good one, if at ALL" was replied,
''for didn't you hear HIM say something
about a golden ring ard what docs
that portend, if not marriage"
The company was waiting for them,
and soon the Yacht was dancing over
water that seemed too indolent to ever
rise into pillows, or break into foam.
Then song sprung simultaneously to the
lips of all on board, save Kate Erskine.
Silently she watched the receding shore
and the stalwart form, and wondered at
the strange Interviewing of their lives;
if the future held any more surprises,
what the ending would be, and why the
tongue of the man whose eyes burned
with love had never spoken of it.
She could see the outline of the curv-
ing shore, the white foam of the waves
as they broke upon it, and felt the little
boat rising and falling beneath her,
though, as yet, there was little of wind;
she could hear the plaintive cry of the
gulls, as they whirled past, and the
growing of the breakers, as they met
the defiant rocks, and CRASHED their
white teeth in wrath.
Then, and suddenly, the water APP
peared to lift itself in giant throes to the
sky, the clouds to whirl down to meet
them. From an almost calm, passion
ate outbreaking of the elements came;
from zephyr, a furious tempest was
born. The transparent blue of the heav-
ems became inky black. Little motion
less clouds were transformed into with
ing, twisting, battling monsters, and, as
if shaken from their folds, flashes of
lightning came, the angry believing of
the watery orchestra was answered by the
deafening overture of the thunder, and
the rain fell, drenching and binding.
In speeches. agor :, with limbs par
alyzed by fear, Kate Erskine sat holding
the hand of her friend. In every wave
she saw hundreds of hideOus faces;
hundreds Of monstrous hands, ready to
clutch and drag her down to fathomless
depths. Then, mast and sail were
blown away, and the White Wings lay
a helpless wreck in the through of the
sea-
OF what followed Kate knew nothing,
until her eyes opened upon avery differ
ent scene-upon a clear sky through
which the moon was sailing, unclouded;
upon calm sea, over which little boat
was being urged by strong arms; upon
a face bending over her with pity.
''Mr. Liston, =" she gasped.
sam safe"
"The othersF"
care making merry, l have no doubt,
over the accident"
you say nothing of the saving part
you played"
at was no more than any man should
do for any woman" he answered, ignor-
ing the desperate chances he had taken;
"a thousand-fold less than | would do
for you, Miss - cannot call you thus
coldly-for you. dear Kate"
Pulling the boat under the shadow of
trees that fringed grassy bank, he rest
cd upon the oars, and pleaded, with all
the strength and nobleness of his man
hood. his love.
"Long ago he said, 81 should have
told you of this, Kate, but a black and
horrible shadow hung over me. Enemies
netted me in web of crime. dishonor
and disgrace. This very day my perfect
innocence WAS established, and without
a blush of shame, l can face the world,
can offer you the love long hidden in my
heart, and ask you, darling, to be mine,
that l may ever be by your side, to save
you from danger"
"Three times you have saved my
life," she fatcred, hesitated, and hid