The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-08-16

yOlCeu III Hcr IreeuOH,, iV u DlTu TSlieNCu
!. from its cage, she felt that she had left
her heart in the con9crated plot of
ground that was destirfd to enshrinc
all that was mortal of ler only friend
and almost father.
Early upon the folloY Ying day a rough,
haggard- looking man uttered the offices
of the Cunard Line id Liverpool, aud
asked permission to ltok over the pas
senger lists of the last outgoing
steamer.
Down the lists of the Oregon his
grimy fore-6nger rovcd without pause,
and not until he had laid aside the first
paper and had entered upon tho last
sheet, did that fore-tnger pause in its
flight, and n gasp of mingled triumph
and dismay escape histight-drawn lips.
The finger had paused at the name
of Grace Garlandl
iii went overland, be asked, breath
lessly, could I catch tho Oregon at
Queenstown"
-"Tha- Oregon left Queenstown two
hours ago, Z" swns sase reply.
With glare of disappointment, the
man hurried out into the foggy streets,
und ten minutes later the following
cablegram went under tho sea to the
shores of the new world:
ITO NJ. Boyden. Breevoort House. Now York;
by next steamer. GARLAND
Never did more light-hcartcd,
thankful set of voyagers retire to rest
on the last night of n prosperous jour
ncy than did the passengers by the
steamship Oregon, bound from Liver
pool to New York.
Even little Oracle Garland went be-
low with II heart 80 full of hope that
she could not close her eyes Every
revolution of the great throbbing
leviathan was bringing her nearer the
land of her birth-her birth 40
shrouded in mystery, yet so incffably
sweet to her.
to sleep, and Mt last, in sheer despair,
she dressvd and mado her way 10 the
deck.
The great ship, like n hugo black
swan, plowcd her way through the
gently rolling sea, and all was silent
and motionless, save when an officer
passed to and fro upon the bridge.
Presently dark, stalwart form
shaped itself from the surrounding
gloom, aud approached Oracle where
she stood 10y the bulwarks, gazing off
toward the low, black line, upon which
she knew to be land.
"You are up early, Miss Gracic."
At the sound of the ricii, mcIodious
voice the girl turned with n start, and
gazed with a conscious blush up into
the face bending above her, with its
manly, regular features.
Yes, Mr.. Arnim," she replied, IL
could not sleep, being 80 near-land." "
"Why do you not say home?" Rupert
Arnim inquired; "you are an American,
are you not?"
It XAs,Ianl an Ameri"nn -
She said no-moisosi did not prcss
her to confidence.
Changing the subject, he said:
"I am SO glad to have met you on
this voyage. Being an artist by pro-
! fcssion, 1 have taken the liberty of
m.. ing n study of your face. Some
day, we are better acquainted,
hope YOU ~. -~~ant to sit for mo to
finish it. 1t VIII. &c the great work of
my life"
Innocent little Oracle smiled and
looked away.
MY mother will bc glad to know
you," the young German continued
1--WE are poor people, but we have Il
little home, and You will be welcome
there should you ever come to it"
| a home! Oh, what stab tho kind
hearted fellow dealt the quivcrine
heart unwittingly.
| Indeed, so unconscious of the pair
he had given was he, that in the next
breath he inquired:
"What light is that over yonder?"
Fire Island, think, replied Oracle
without looking up, for the tears had
blinded and threatened to betray her
eve should be near it by this time"
"No, it is not stationary light. il
is moving this way; besides, it is red
Why, it is the portlight of n vessel
See! Himmcl, how close we arc!"
Scarcely had the startled words cs
capped his lips, ere the stranger loomcd
up before them like phantom. There
was wild jangls of bells, II sudden
shout of terrified voices, II pausc-and
then CRASH! quivcring! rcnding! ap
palling!
The vessels parted and met again
like great monsters of the deep, fight
ing with deadly intent. Another re
bound, third shock, II shrek of NOR
tai dismay from the churning waters!
Half wild with terror poor Graci,
graspcd her companions arms, and
clung to him in desperation.
ooh, what an awful thing is this
We are lost" she cried.
"No, not lost yet, my child; 1 will
save you"
She did not hear the comforting
words, for the steamer had lurchcd over
on the wounded side, and tho pair were
driven to the buIwarks with rush
Beneath them, the unknown craft wa.
settling to her doom. Dim forms wcr,
visible in the rigging, and white face,
turned up to the Tightening sky.
Faces! All, God, yes, one face among
them more terror-strickcn than its fcl
lows.
The handsome, craven face of Man
Boyden.
With n frantic shrek, Oracle tore
herself from her protectors arms. She
had seen that ghastly face.
"Let me got" she screamed; "save
yourself, and let me die! The curse
| has followed mo and I am doomed