Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1889-10-17

far from supporting him. needed sup
port itself IL was Characteristic Of
him in those days that he never looked
ahead 10 invent = threatening future
but lived in each day with renewed
vigor. That was the happies. and at
the same time the most miserable.
period Of his life. for extremes always
run in pairs On the DARK side there
was grinding poverty. needing his
every effort to fight against it; on the
bright side was Helen Forsyth.
When they became engaged. Helen
knew as well As Paul that the prospect
Of their being able 10 get married Was
exceedingly remote; but he. knowing
that be had her love fully and unre-
servedly. was content 20 wait any time.
With unlimited confidence in her he
found nothing unbearsble. and. With
worries and troubles some one under
stood and was ever sympathetic. he
went his way urhe=itatingly ard thaak-
fully. though. like the rest Of the
world. he had his fits OF depression
and ~rclap-eS And Helen. she thought
very much the same; IL seemed 20 her
thea a privilege. which she scarcely
deserved. that one little gentleman.
however poor. however insignificant
should love her more than life itself
And we r the best OF friends" she
used TO say. land. though &c may
never be able to marry. yet no poverty
can come between u here Nor did
it.
Paul Was not In any var brilliant
and industry and perseverance.
though they eventually come forward
10 a greater or les extent. have 10 put
up with a long apprenticeship; 50 the
years passed By with his financial posi-
ton scarcely changing. While mutual
relationships remained unalterei
Al the end Of four years Paul al
loved himself sholia2y- He Vas tired
and overworsed Again znd again he
had been on the point OF breaking
down. so when this great temptation
czze-a trip a-rc~- the channel With
Helen and Tom Fo~rsyth-he cast all
hesitation 70 the winds. and vent
Thea Tor a brief space he was per-
tecsly happy. Never before in his life
had he known such happiness and.
until al too soon. like q dream. it Was
dissiPaieA he eniOyed himself to the
utmost
That was the year when the Dublin
City vas run down. and it was on that
Msiarred vessel. disabled and rapidly
sinking. that Paul and Helen found
themselves one summers night Tom
had disapPcared-whether killed in
the FIRST collision or drowned after
ward WAS known-and in the
excitement and shouting which en-
sued Paul. like many others, was too
distracted To notice accurately ~hat
had occurred All hat he could re-
call afterward was seeing the dark
outline Of another vessel as IL backed
OF slowly into the darkness. apparent
ly sinking too. and then even that vas
los; sight of in the horrors around
him
For a brief space there we're coufn-
sioa and awful uncertainty. terror
stricken mea and women impeding
those who alone could save them
fearful scene; and. for Paul. a CHASTITY
descent from the heaven in which he
had been living
IL Was almost n relief when the frt
strain was over and all kBes the worst
for with that news the panic subsidized.
and in the presence OF death came a
temporary hush
Having found his way to Helen. he
took her hand quietly and waited; with
her he would face death a. cuolly As
he would life
Helen was the first 10 break the
silence Is there nothing a be done.
Pauls
He shook his head No Not till
they begin to lower the boats. Then
you must be ready; they will put the
women in first
And you. Paul. you will come. too?-
Once you are safe. | can a v my
self-easily.-
But l meant for all these Others
and she shiyered a little, while her
eyes flied with Tears
He followed her eyes and felt some
thing of her fear. though he tried not
10 show it. We can only wait-and
hope"
They had not TO wait long: before
many minutes there Was a quick muir
muir of excitement. and a change came
over that crowd Those who had stood
ready 10 die would have met death
bravely. but with a chance of safety
before them a panic set in.
Before a boat was ready 10 be
lowered there was a rush of ten
for every vaean place; the hope of
life, newly awakened. carried every
thing before il and there was a strug-
Cling of men and women for foremost
places siekening. awful sight
while boat after boat rowed out into
the gathering darkness. and. in spite
Of all his efforts. Paul was unable TO
secure a place in one for Helen
! Il will not go. Paul" she said once
~hemently. LET these Others 90 first
dragged her forward 6ercely.
rust. Helen. for nv sake"
leh the last boat rowed out
rht. he came out Of the