The morning call., 1893-06-11

and we were further hindered by a heavy.
long-drawn swell off the port bow. There
was no chance of our reaching the island
before dark within communicating dis
tHnce. At sunset the huge mass of tower
ing rock was about two leagues away, and
even then a most wonderful sublime sight :
bodies OF oraD ge- cOlOred mist clung to the
mountain, whose snow crowned peak
piercing the Sun-tOuched vapor, CLEANED
in a soft rose in the delicate evening blue.
We saw no vessel under the island or
upon the sea line. The lofty land swiftly
darkened into the liquid dusk when the
sun sank, and over 1t where it stood
invisible hung the stars Of the southern
cross
The cabin barometer promised fair
weather.. The brig tapped onward
through the darkness, bowling deeply to
the swell, but someN here between and
9--Tom considering we should need the
offing we then had-the three backed the
yards on the main and the vessel was
brought tn a stand. The lighter sails
were clewed up and furled and the MAIN
sail snugged by its gear.
While Tom and the others were afoat
and | was at the wheel | heard strange
kissing noise close to 1t; it was like loco
motive blowing off steam: the rolling of
Tie brig depressed The bulwarks and gave
me sight of the sea and | Spied at the dis
tance of pistol shot the great black body
of whale. with a jet of water bright with
phosphorus sparkling pumc-shaped out
of il. Tom from alOft called down to me
To look, but the monster sank almost i'm
| medlately. and # 1t reappeared / neither
heard nor saw IL.
This trfling incident somehow wonder
fully accentuated the astness and solitude
OF the ocean 10 the mood that was then
upon me. | strained my eyes in the direc-
lion where L guessed the island to be
and pictured myself upon il, gazing
upon the dark plain of the deep, SEN
sibe that, saving two adjacent rocks, no
land was to be come at for hundreds
and hundreds of leagues. The shadow
of the mighty ocean mountain was
upon my spirits, not in depressing or a
despOnding weight. but with an Influence
that subdued and awed me. l thought of
that part OF London In which had dwelt,
the streets filed with the noise of people
in motion, the lighted shops. the ceaseIes IS
rattle of wheels. the docks complicated as
giant cobweb with rigging and masts
pointing in silence into the gloomy river
sky, the fash of laHterns on the water, the
starry lines of lamps on either bank side
of my house at Stepney; and | beheld my
father and mother again with my mind :
eve, and Mr.. Standford's strange, sickly
child, my unloved dead sister; thought
of nv aunt's cheerful house near the
Tower, the pleasant hospitable rooms
above the Offices, the pian0 at which | ha Il
sung the supper-table round which he
had gathered; and then l searched the
dark distance for the shadow whereOn l
was to dwell. and said Ia myself, if there
should be clergyman there by this time
tomorrow | may be Toms wife.
| Shivered and pressed my head. A
sense of tue unrealty of my existence
came upon me; Ii was sort of madness
while it lasted.
Tom had descended the rigging and
came to my side, and unable to control my
self threw nv arms round his neck and
burst into tears.
He held me to him and called to VIII,
who had just sprung from the bulwarks. to
take the helm. and led me into the deck
house and seated me.
"Wha. is it, Marian"
He eyed me anxiouslv, his face was al
most stern. with gloomy apprehension as
he asked the question.
we have gone through so much, Tom.
and The end is at hand. Let me cry" and
| hid my face and wept again.
He held his peace Till looked at him,
ana then said. Marian rs not too late. P"
What is not 100 late?'
BATES and VIII will lake care that you
reach home safely"
"Oh. Tom, IT'S not in your heart. You
don't mean it.
marian, my love for you makes me feel
a villain for permitting you to have your
way. Why did YOU cry?"
Because / was afraid"
afraid! Oh yes! SUCH a home even
for a year. even Tor month, might terriiy
stouter heart than yours into more than
tears"
Il was afraid because / thought to N.Y.
self, standing alone just now and recall
ing the past, and looking into the dark
ness where the island lies, all this must