Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-03-11
TREAsURE.TR0vE.

"And you will wait for me ?" asked
the young captain wistfully.
Until death !" answered his be-
trothed simply. with earnest, fearful
eyes.
Gall aboard p shouted the boat
swain, with a look of gentle admoni-
ton towards his captain.
"Jim is impatient to get beyond the
harbor." said Arson, with a forced
cheerfulness. "Good-by, sweetheart,
when / come back l shall claim you
for my own-my wife," and he kissed
the lips that trembled as they silently
returned the caress.
Then there was great confusion,
much rafting of chains, much rushing
to and fro, and the staunch vessel
spread her canvas like huge, snowy
bird, and stood out to sea.
Then Leila Weston stood alone up
on the seashore and watched the
snowy sails of her lovers ship grow
smaller in the distance; above her
head lowering leaden sky: at her
feet the wet sand oyer which the waves
sobbed as they beat against the peb-
bles in ceaseless rotation; and in her
young heart desolation greater than
the dreary landscape around her.
All. how much of life is made up of
weary waiting!
"You mustn't do that, lass. Never
watch vessel quite out of sight If
you hope for its safe returning" said
kindly, Gliding voice, as hand
was laid gently upon her arm, and
she turned with fierce despair to meet
the plying eyes of Joe Hanson, the
old coast guardsman.
"Oh, Joe, joel Two years is such
long, long time, and the sea-look
at the sea, Joe 1t is like some great,
cruel monster, gloating over its certain
prey" she moaned, as she pointed
towards the hurrying waves.
Eyes, look at the sea ! Isn't it
grand, lass p cried old Joe, exultant-
ly, with all sailors enthusiasm.
Don't fret about the lad. Arson
Wilde is not che one to fear the glori-
Gus old sea-and old mother ocean
knows her true children. Think of
the strange countries he will visit !!
Think of the glad homecoming at
last, and-and the wedding. lass All,
now you smile, that's my own sunny
child again. Don't fret-old Joe
knows. Laugh and be merry, for all
will be well. Don't fret"
So Leila took up her burden of life
again, with outward trust and inward
fear-the long, weary burden of
watching and waiting, which sailors
wives and sweethearts and mothers
must always bear as best they may.
Meanwhile. the gallant ship sped
on from one harbor to another. brave
ly defying wind and wave, as the two
years slipped away. until she anchor
ed safely at Calcutti.
There Captain Wilde discharged
his valuable cargo and reloaded with
tea, spices, silks, and chinaware, for
the New York market. This voyage
was to be his last, and the profit Of
his cargo was to buy him the dear
home nest for which he longed.
He stood upon the deck and watch
ed the shores of the Old World fade
from view with satisfied smile.
"We'll make quick run this time"
said Chauncy Willis, the first mate,
as he paused by his side.
"a quick run out" muttered Bill
Brownlow, the old tar at the helm.
"a quick run out, but" and he
finished the sentence with an express
sive shrug of his broad shoulders and
a quick glance towards the western
horizon, where the sea and sky blend
ed in heavy, leaden line.
pho, Bill, you're always croaking
Never cross bridge until you come
to it, or, in sailors phase, never furl
your sails for storm until you know
it is coming" answered Willie lightly.
"Bill is right this time, mate" said
Captain Wilde, anxiously watching
the long, leaden line betwixt sea and
sky. Call out the crew Make
everything ready for blow"
aye, aye, Captain, NODDED old
Bill, "and a hard one, too" And he
was right.
Almost before he had finished
speaking, dark. ripping line swept
across the ocean; the low, leaden line
widened rapidly; heavy clouds hur-
ried athwart the blue sky; and the
rising wind moaned dirge-a dirge
for the gallant chip, and her brave
crew.
"She is q staunch craft" muttered
Captain Wilde, as he viewed his ship
from stem to stern. IL think there is
no near land TO the leeward, and we
can scud before the gale until the
wind blows out"
d. "a D~-x-.- uT.lI~ $4,000 A.