The record-union., 1891-09-19

Hale and Marsh We're in the boat,
and there's little chance Of our saving
them"
For an instant she stared towards the
lake, her heart sinking like lead Then,
without even a shawl over her white,
gauzy garments, she dashed out into the
pelting storm. She reached tho lake
shore at a point near where several men
were pushing off in rowboat in a vain
hope of saving the unfortunates.
She sat down amid the wet Shrubhery,
clasping her hands, aud in low, agonized
accents, she murmured, as her eyes fell
upon the fearful sight before her, "Good
heavens! Harry Marsh-dead-dr -drownedi
Ii he but knew now how / loved him =
how | have loved him since he left me,
two years ago! Oh, God! Ii he could be
saved! My heart is breaking!n And
burying her face in her hands, she sobbed
aloud.
Just then hand fell lightly upon her
shoulder. She started up with cry, and
there stood Harry Marsh, dripping wet,
with look OF deep, unutterable JOY upon
his face.
THANK God am saved-saved to hear
my name upon your lips. / was not in
the boat. Frank went out alone. l saw
the storm coming and advised him not to
go. But he went. / followed along the
shore to the peninsula, and the storm
SSASAN Il SONAANt So tJNSS5AI LS N-A
planned.
He spoke in rapid, excited manner
As she finished Viola sank down in a
swoon, overcome by the strain upon her
nerves and the sudden reaction. He
lifted her in his arms and bore her back
to the hotel
The boat which went out after the un-
fortunates came back unsuccessful. After
the storm had passed, however, Frank
Hale and his Sailboat rounded the penin-
Sula and moored opposite the hotel. In
response TO q flood of inquiries he re-
Piled: THAT he was upon the other side
Of the lake when the storm broke, and SO
escaped it.''
The boat which was capsized contained
young fisherman. whose body was re-
covered late that night.
It was not until the next day that
Harry Marsh saw Viola again. Then
they met under the arched trelliS. She
would have fled, but he caught her by
the hand, exclaiming in his low, mu-
sical tones, which she remembered SO
well:
Stay, Viola. l desire an explanation
from you. l believe that [ made great
mistake when | left you without seeking
one two years ago"
She waved him from her with an impe-
rious gesture.
You should have discovered your
HIISldAe DeIOEe L WAS lllIeu from my pow
erty!" she cried.
"Wait! wait! / implore you"
Then he told her why he had gone
awayso abruptly, and how he had loved
her all the while.
81 should have sought you here upon
your arrival were it not for the rumor OF
your engagement to Edward Grey" he
said.
''3fy engagement! The rumor was
false it is not 1, but my cousin-who
married Edward Grey two years ago.
We are friends-thatis all.''
4 soft, balmy breeze swept through the
trellis, rustling the vines and bringing
from distance the perfume of flowers.
Then you do love me. Viola! can
Keep my love from you no longer, Viola.
VIII you be my wife? Do not withhold
the perfect JOY 1 Gravel" were the words
he uttered, SO low that they seemed to
chime with the murmuring breeze.
THE joy is ours, Harry!" was the soft
ly-spoken response.
When Frank Hale heard Of the en-
gagement he laughingly said: 'Hal, do
you call this all "a mere fiirtation?' ~
Miss +. L. Hale in the Cincinnati Com
mercial Gazette.