The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-11-26
CHAPTER X.
SURVIVORS OF THE FLOOD.


SURVIVORS OF THE FLOOD.
When Rose Somers sank beneath the
food, her last thought was that fate had
ordained she and her husband should die
| together.
She felt the surging waters closing
around her, and surrendered herself to
death without struggle. Then she be-
came unconscious.
When dimly conscious of life again,
she suffered 'indescribable agony. A
mountain of waters was pressing heI
downward. Pains racked her back, her
neck. Her limbs seemed to be torn from
her. In her agony she moaned. Then q
voice sounded in her ears. The voice
was like the roll of thunder-it filed all
space. Death was, indeed, horrible.
Could anything mortal endure it? Then
she became unconscious again.
Her next sensation was one Of exquls.
ite relief. She had passed the boundary
line. She was in heaven. There was no
pain. No weight. No feeling such as
she experienced in the other world. She
knew that she e1isted-further she knew
nothing, cared for nothing.
She is breathing more naturally now.
See!"
Rose opened Ter eyes. An old man
was Hooking at her. She moved heI
eyes. A woman stood with her back to
her. The woman turned that instant, and
advanced to her.
Don't speak. Lie quiet. Sleep, If
you want to. You are with friends. 4"
Human nature is o puzzle. Rose Som
ers burst into tears.
"There-there, my dear, said the cid
m an, you will be we'll soon. You are
weak now-you will be strong again in an
hou ur or two, you will see."
Poor Rose. She was crying because
she was brought back to life, while her
husband was dead. She would rather be
in heaven. But she closed her eyes again
in delicious languor, and instantly fell
sound asleep.
When she woke again there was only
the woman near her. There was dim
light-the light issued from small lamp.
Rose Somers looked around her curl.
ously. Yes, she was in some sort of o
house. 1t was log house. She could
Just make out that the spaces between the
logs were "chinked." The floor was made
Of very broad boards. There was no sign
Of carpet or rug.
She was lying on bed. There was
something over in the corner of the room
that looked like bed on the floor. She
managed to raise herself on her elbow.
She was quite strong. She sat bolt up
right.
Where was she? How did she come
there? Was Algernon there too?
In an instant her feet were on the floor.
She would ask the man-that was no
dream; it was all real now-or the woman
where her husband was.
No; it would be ingratitude to distu~s
them.
Rose Somers pondered long, sitting
there on the bedside. Then she resolved
to look on the bed in the corner. Posi-
bly, Algernon was lying there, within arms
length of her.
She stole softly over the floor and look.
ed down upon the face in the corner.
It was o womau's face, but not the face
she had seen before she fell asleep. She
turned around, staggered back to the bed,
and, sinking upon it, moaned. Her dis
appointment was more than human heart
could bear.
Instantly figure stole into the room
and voice Rose recalled said:
What is it? Do not be afraid. Moth
ing can harm you here"
Pardon me; I could not help it," said
Rose, between her sobs. Il thought my
husband might be here in this very house;
but know he is dead. We sank together
in thM awful deluge."
He may be living as you are. Hope
for the best. Can do anything more fol
mo; a thousand thanks for ali youl
kindness. I will try to 60 10 sleep again.
Ihope shall not disturb you any more.
You do not disturb US. I hope you
will sleep soundly; you will be the better
of it."
Then the figure disappeared, arl Rose
Somers was left alone again with hel
thoughts. She lay awake hours seeming
-ly, and then sank into peaceful sleep.
She was aroused the next morning By
cracking sound. It was fat meat frying.
The odor of the fat was borne into the
room, She coughed. Presently mid
dle-aged, care re-worn-looking woman en-
tered.
How do you feel now?"
The woman looked at her kindly.
Very we'll. want to get up.
"Yes-well-but you must wait min
ute" There was hesitancy in the
Womar's speech that puzzled Rose.
She disappeared, and returned in feS
minutes carrying pair of trousers, vest
and coat in her arms. Rose looked OF hei
in astonishment as she said:
These are all We have for you to wear
ii gave my other clothes 10 some
women who came here before you were
brought in. I haven't q skirt left, even.
There isn't O blessed bit of woman's
clothing round, either.
Must wear them?"
Il don't see what else you can do. You
don't want to lie in bed, and you might
MS well-better wear these than try to 60
with blanket or quilt around YOU"
"Oh, ought to be thankful, Rose re-
piled, as the woman disappeared.
She got up and dressed herself In
mans attire, wonderingly. What pextP
be might as we'll be in another world
All traces OF the world she knew had dis
appeare,\
Break .hst will be ready in minute"
said the woman, looking in at the door.
The shake-down in the corner was
vacant. Where was the woman who slept
therep Rose entered the next room. This
was where the fat was frying.
A small table was placed near the SOL
itary small window in this room, which
served the purpose of kitchen, dining,
and living-room. There were but two
rooms in the log house.
Sitting beside the table was q curious