Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-02-24

abundance.
The island was small, but we
should not begin to starve at once,
and no doubt would be rescued
speedily.
Hope lives eternal in the human
breast, and, strangely enough,
though all my earthly possessions
had been swallowed up by the sea,
| did not despair.
The hot sun soon dried our gar
ments, and we were all we'll and
strong enough to bear a good deal,
with the exception of the Rev. Mr..
Archer.
About sunset, Mr.. Chester took
me by the arm and led me to por-
ton of the beach which was smooth
and sparkling as if the sands were
powdered silver.
I'VE are in a curious position
Helen Benton" he said. allow lit
tie we expected to have anything of
this sort in our lives. This is the
end of our hopes, ! am afraid. You
can't buy that land now, my dear
you cannot be lady farmer. You
will have to change your plans, and
| want to suggest something--in
fact, brought you here for that
purpose"
81 listen," said l.
"Well, Helen," he said, 81 can
put it in very few words. Marry
me. I've always had that idea fol
the future, ever since the first day
we met; forI fell in love with you al
sight; but circumstances alter cases
If you can like me let us take time
by the forelock. Mr.. Archer will
not live long. If you will allow me
I'll ask him to marry us at once. As
yet we have two witnesses-heaven
knows what may happen. What dc
you say, Helen?"
| thought moment and then
said:
II like you. Do what you think
right and BEST"
And so it came about that we all
gathered around a poor bed of gras:
and leaves which we had gathered
for Mr.. Archer to lie upon, and
there he married me to Mr.. Chester
repeating the service from memory
1t was a strange and solemn wed,
ding.
Afterwards, my husband and the
sailor went to the edge of the water
to light fires made of driftwood that
lay on the rocks, in order that any
passing vessel might know of our
distress, and the old widow and my.
self sat beside Mr.. Archer.
In the dawn he closed his eyes
happier to die since it was Gods will
than to live bereft of those he loved
Two days after this we were taken
from the island by boat sent to us
by a Norwegian schooner bound for
Melbourne, where we arrived safely
The widow went to her sons house,
the sailor to his friends, whoever
they were.
My husband, after providing me
with some necessary garments, took
me to his home.
1t was a curious place-a hand
some house surrounded by gardens
and farm, set upon the top of a
hill which had been levelled for the
purpose. Below i'll the valley stood
the factory of which Mr.. Chester
was master.
Thither he went daily, busy in the
laboratory for many hours at time,
handling dangerous chemicals-do-
ing work which must be done by
his own hands and no other.
Not an accident had ever occurred
in the place-the master saw too
well to everything. While at work
he always wore a white WOODEN suit
and a white cap with vizor, leav-
ing his usual garments in a ward
robe outside the laboratory.
In the evening we were at home
together. Our life was very quiet,
for there were literally no neigh
bors. Our most frequent visitors
were Mr.. Chester's brothers and
sisters.
From the first | felt that none of
them liked me, nor were they peo-
pie that | could like. They had not
taken pains to improve and enlight-
EN- themselves as their brother had
they were narrow-minded and
illiberal, living principally on his
generosity-they, in my opinion
imposed upon him. They were,
however, his kinspeople, and | had
too much respect for myself and
him to express my views. When
they came Toasted them, played
| and SanU I'm entertain them | took