The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-03-17

Ill AObOA AOoO W . u 10 de
she heard the words, but she quelled it.
Her eyes flashed fire in her loves de-
Tense, although her stern sense of justice
declared the words were true. When
Winnies fluttering ribbons were nc
longer visible, she found for the first
time in her life that she had learned to
hate with every fiber of her soul.
1t had been a fine November day; and
yer.with the warm sun on hill and water,
there mingled breath of winter in the
air. The fallen, ripened leaves and dy-
ing bloom brought a thrill of sadness.
The pulse of the year was growing fee
BILE. The hot summer blood no longer
leaped in the struggle for fruition. AS
the afternoon waned, an ominous pres
ence seemed to hover in the air. Old
Cape BlOmidon sighed in vain for the
coquetting kisses of the setting sun, as
black clouds gathered and frowned in
anger. Fishermen hurried into port with
troubled faces. Wives and sweethearts
glanced at the angry heavens and trem-
bled. All was dense and dark and full
of repressed tumult. The tide seemed
to leap jOyously at its own fury, flashing
the snowy spray with glee in its terrible
power. Men looked to their boats, fear
ing help might be needed before dawn
1t had all come about so suddenly.
Marie was out with the rest, helping
here and there, when it occurred to her
that Perlie and Winnie had not been
seen since the darkness came on. Per-
ley was always on the alert for storm
clouds and hurricane air. She ran to the
moorings of the White Swan to find it
gone.
did anyone come for the White Swan
to-day" she asked old Dame Thornton;
cor yesterday? this weekP"
mo, deary; it was there not so very
long ago."
'But it is gone now" Marie said
"Then the laird and lady must be out
in it. Heaven protect them," the dame
piously CALCULATED.
Marie waited no longer She procured
wraps and wine, then fastened to her
own staunch craft. The house was some
distance away and hidden by bend so
that no one noticed her.
(which way have they gone? Where
shall go?" she moaned as she faced the
beach straining her eyes to catch the
first glimpse of return.
The storm was steadily drawing nearer,
and the night was fast coming on. Oc-
casionally gusts of wind nearly took her
breath. The waves began to hiss.
Suddenly CLEAN like that of demon
broke over Marie's face. "She may die"
her heart sang, shrill laugh floating out
with the tumult.
The wind grew fiercer, the clouds
blacker, the rain began to beat in her
face and then, out among the tossing bill
lows, a fragile boat appeared. A moment
Marie remained motionless, the demon
at work in her soul. Darkness, blacker
than that of the storm wrapped her con-
science.
at is not too late. l can still guide
the boat-and save him. l will save him
and let her die"
Above the driving sleet, the bowling
wind, louder than the roar of sea, rang
out an avenging voice: "And you will be
a murderer"
Marie started quivering in every nerve.
so God" she cried with outstretched
hands, spare me, save me!'' Shivering
with terror of herself she loosed the boat
and was off.
The rain mingled with the tears on her
cheek; the wind accompanied the tenn
pest in her heart; the terror of being SO
helpless on the waters shaken by the
hand of Almighty power paled beside
the terror of that Almighty's wrath on
her soul.
A lull of wind and wave revealed the
coming of two white faces.
"They cannot manage the boat much
longer" Marie thought. Perhaps she
could save but one. Which one should
it be? 'If you save the one you love-"
voice whispered within her, "you save
him because there is murder in your
heart. If you save the one you hate,
your soul cries out in agony for him who
is lost, but it is free from blood"
80, Christ IN heaven, save me from
rose Marie's prayer, as she
pressed ON with giant strength.
Billow rolled on billow. A spring,
flash of oars, and the strong girl rode
over their crests, down into the troughs
of the sea, up and on, every stroke car
rying her nearer the goal. An agony of
dread made her hand shake 80, Christ
in heaven, save my SOUL" she sobbed.
at is Marie" she cried above the din,
1T is Marie coming to save you. OGod,
save Marie from herself"
At last she could almost touch the
boat.
"Come this way" she called, "a little
nearer" the intense, earnestness of love
and hate mingling, and looking out of
her eyes in an expression of helpless
despair. Then, the wind laid its hand
Of might over the waters, as if it would
sweep them from the earth. Marie re-
covered her position to see the two