Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-07-22

The long winter had passed, and now
the warm April sunshine had come again,
and the white sails once more dotted the
blue waters
One morning word was brought that the
lightkeeper's mother, good grandmother
Colby who lived several miles down the
coast, was ill with rheumatism. The skip
per and his wife prepared to 90 to her at
once. ut looks pleasant enough now" he
said to Meg, scanning the sky anxiously,
but | shouldn't be noways surprised If it
blows pretty lively afore night. And it's
about time for the big spring tide. If it
should come you'll get along all right; it's
never but once blew high enough to cover
the path 'twixt here and the tower, an
faint noways likely that twill now; but
1t case it should happen all you've got to
do is to watch, and take bit of food and
go into the tower, so that you can see to
the light, and then wait till the tide
turns"
In the morning the girls busted them
selves with the housework. After dinner
they found sheltered nook, and sat down
on the rocks in the sunshine. About 8
o'clock the sky became suddenly overcast,
and little puffs of wind came skurrying
across the water "Listen," said Meg as
they started to go in the house; 'do you
hear the moaning of the Backbone? It's
sure sign of storm"
During the two hours that followed the
wind steadily increased, driving the waves
with sullen roar on the little beach. When
Meg went to start the light she found that
the mist had given place to rain, and she
heard the thunder of the surf on the Back
bone. She had just returned to the kitchen
when "A loud knock was heard, and on open
ing the door two girls, with pale faces and
clothing drenched with rain, crowded
shivering into the room. They were Der
tina Day and the daughter of a wealthy
gentleman who had boarded with the Days
for two summers past.
"For mercy's sake hurry, and get us
some dry clothing" said Bertha ungra
ciously.
Meg's brow clouded. but she neither
stirred nor spoke.
Don't stand staring therel It's stupid
Can't you see that we're half dead with
the cold? Miss Towards father had to
come to East Greek on business connected
with the new railroad, and he brought her
with him. 1t was 50 pleasant this morn
ing that we two girls rowed over to the
cliff We didn't notice how rough the
water had grown until we started to go
home, and got out into the bay and saw
the whitecaps all around us. It was a
mercy that we were not swamped in try.
ing to row ashore. Then we started to
walk to East Greek, but the wind blew so
furiously that it seemed to take all our
strength. | don't know what we should
have done If it had not been for the 'lighC'
here" she continued, addressing her com
,, 1. l.. 4
whole road. These girls" and she turned
toward the twins contemptuously, "are
the ightkeeper's daughters | used to &c
to school with them"
The insolent words brought flush Ia
the strangers cheek. 81 am sorry to
trouble you," she said, touching Meg's
arm gently, but should be so glad OF
some dry clothing take cold so easily"
Meg's face cleared instantly, and in a
few moments the two visitors, in dry gar
ments, sat by the fire eating the food which
Peggy placed before them. "Listenp ex-
claimed Miss Howard, rising from the
chair. Did you ever hear such stormi
It's frightful."
The wind was bowling dismally around
the house and rattling the blinds, while
the rain was driving in sheets against the
window panes
isn't the tide very high?" asked Der.
tina. 81 remember when we came over
the bridge behind the house that the water
was nearly up to the planks."
Meg started quickly for the door.
81 never knew that to happen before, "
she said. "Hand me my waterproof, Peggy
| III run into the tower once more to make
sure that everything is right for the night.
T., a. -. l.
| and breathless.
1.-THE water is nearly up to the doorsteps
| | can't go to the tower, and it's overlooked
/ behind the house too. If had only watched
as father told mel"
Under her directions the three girls
/ hastily gathered the few valuables of the
house and carried them up to the sisters
| room on the second story. And they did
not get to work any too soon, for by The
| time they took up the last load a SINAI
stream of water had forced its way under
| the door and ran gurgling across the room
The hours Of the night wore YEARLY on
but Meg was so hopeful and calm that sh,
helped to keep up the courage of the 9th
ers. She paid several visits to the hall
and each time came back more sober ant
thoughtful, but she said not a word. TIT
] wafer WIS dlteNiy idll way up w Jit stC
ond floor.
She remembered with a shudder how ole
and frail the house was. "If it will only hol,
out" she thought. The last time she wen
out she found that the water had game,
on them. Slowly but surely it was climb
ing upward. But there was this to b.
thankful for-the wind had abated some
what and the rain had ceased.
ha gttr f,nl CHI uaf1 70 hn
guests; Lie down; you need rest NOR
than we do. If there is any danger ! will
call YOU"
She took down her little Bible from
shelf, and opening it began to read wher
her eye Glanced to rest. Strangely enough
it was the forty Psalm, and her voic
grew unsteady as she read:
"God is our refuge and strength, a yer.
present help in trouble. Therefore will W
not fear, though the earth be removed ant
the mountains be carried into the midst o
the sea, though the waters thereof roa
and be troubled, though the mountain
shake with the swelling thereof"
Then she knelt, and in a sweet clea
voice repeated the Lords prayer, the othe
girls joining her with sobs and broker
utterance.
Bertha and Miss Howard soon fell into
light doze. Meg sat quietly, holding
Peggy's hand In hers. Peggy" she SAT-
earnestly, eff the water gets much highe
we must 90 on the roof 1t is about on
level with the second landing on the lowe
stairs. The window is never fastened, an
we can open it easily from outside, and tn
window ledge is very broad. You know
the ladder that leads up to the opening II