Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-06-06

I
inevitable eyeglass; she could not &c
rid Of him; the miserable young maj
was too infatuated to perceive hel
abstraction.
Little by little she drew near TO a
part of the boat where she thought
she might make the dreaded plunge
most easily.
Tom, in the shadow of a sail, ap
peared TO be absorbed in novel
No one. not even himself, knew that
the book was upside down. Ethel
stole @ glance at him. Will he be IN
time she wondered in agony Of fear
and anxiety. How blue the water
was-and how deep! What if-but
no! no she would not think of that.
Now was the time, she decided fe-
verishly.
is that not sail, Lord Fenyll }!
she asked.
"A sail In which directionF 2
Eagerly he took up his telescope.
This was just the opportunity she
wanted. Slowly he swept the horl-
zon with the glass.
Why, yes he says. Il see 1t
quite plainly. can even read the
name on oh, Miss Van Iandt! Help
helpw
With a shrek of terror she had dis
appeared over the side only one ter
rified scream, but in an instant the
deck was filled with eager, frightened
faces.
Lord Fenyll was rushing from one
end of the place TO the other, drag
ging with him an immense coil of rope,
tangling up himself and any one else
CRYING out the awful accident at the
top OF his voice.
Mrs. Van Zandt and another lady
had tainted the gayety had vanish
ed; all was confusion and haste.
Tom saw nothing of this. He was IN
the water before the echo Of her voice
had died away on the startled air.
With firm, rapid strokes he beat the
waves, and his eyes were alert TO
catch the first glimpse. The sun
glared into his face, but he did not
find her. His heart failed him. God
he could not see her Why did she not
rise? Ethel he cried aloud in a
frenzy. But what was that white
speck wonder? Could he reach il
A moment more-only a moment
more with ebbing power, as the
white face came 10 the surface, he
threw one arm around the body. His
strength all but exhausted, he was
taken with bis lifeless charge into the
boat lowered to meet him. The glad
newswas shouted 10 the waiting yacht
and willing help was ready to greet
the rescued and rescuer.
The little figure i'll its clinging dress
seemed devoid OF life. The soft baby
curls around her forehead clustered
darkly off one Ly one, till there were
little pools on the floor. Pale and
pure and still as death itself she was
-ah pitifully still. The led, laugh
ing lips were pallid now; the soft
white hands limp and inert.
My girl, my little girl! !" moaned
and sobbed Mrs. Van Zandt, and
while tears fell, they took her below
and toiled for hours to summon back
the wavering spirit.
"Tom-unbappy Tom-was the
hero OF the hour. But he could not
be quiet; he could not wait in pa
tiepce. Great waves OF remorse
filed his breast, till the drops stood
out upon his forehead and his lips
whitened. The dull boom OF the sea
seemed to roar in his ears he felt
that lifeless body still lying passive in
his arms. Never again to see her
smile. never again to hear her voice,
with its gentle, tender accent; never
-ah. no! 1t could not be too late
she must not die Up and down,
outside the door, he paced, listening
to each sound, wrestling with bis
misery, praying to God as ne had
never prayed defore.
Suddenly the door opened again.
and Mrs. Van Zandt herself came out
He dropped into chair and hid
his head in his hands. He heard her
coming directly toward him-to tell
him-what? And then Mrs. Van
Zandts arms were around his neck,
she was calling him her dear boy, her
hero she was thanking him through
tears and sobs. He Il hero he
could have laughed aloud bitterly
at the mockery Of it. She was telling
him that Ethel had come back TO
them; she was awake again; she
wanted TO see him-would he come
With a choking in his throat he
made his way to where his little love
was lying. Mrs. Van Zandt softly
closed the door, and they were alone.
White she was like bent lily the
damp yellow hair lay over her pillow
and brushed back from her white
forehead, where his eyes saw the
mark OF cruel bruise, blow as she
fell; but her lips were smiling, and
one hand was outstretched to him.
He could not take il he sank on his
knees at her side.
Ethel, sweetheart, can you forgive
me r he groaned, and with the words
the fioodgates were swept away, and
he sobbed aloud: Ethel, it was al
most death-it would have been mur-
der, and | our murderer
Tom, Tom" she whispered, weak
ly. do not frighten me 20. l ain not