Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-03-31
a STRANGE STORY.

careful never 10 go where CLEAN
from the water could catch her eye, "a
| saw her pale face bend over her
work and heard her subdued tones to
the children, | knew that the past
was ever with her, and that she was
hourly living over her dreadful sor-
row.
4 few friends OF us had found a lit
tie nook on the lake shore that exact
ly suited us Far from the gay, mad
ding crowds which wander up and
down the country and are fast spoil
ing the natural beauties Of our land,
this lovely spot seemed 10 have wait
ed for our coming.
We soon built number of cosy cot
tages aud came down from the city to
take possession, installing our house
hold divinities, the babies, the nurses
and children Of all sorts and sizes, and
before long were rs much at home as
the birds and squirrels whose quiet
we invaded.
Mary and Frank Hunter were the
young married couple of our party.
Not exactly bride and bridegroom,
however, for hey brought with them
a rolicking baby boy. Never were
there two gayer, livelier mortals, and
so devoted to each other so well sat
iSfied with life were they, that it was
like enjoying perpetual sunshine
merely to have them with US. Full Of
fun, and with as many projects Us a
pair Of schoolboys. it was not long un-
til the two were at the head and front
of all our arrangements.
Oh, what gay times we used to have!
Especially when our small fleet Of ca
noes were scattered over the lake, and
fitting like white winged birds over
the smooth and shining surface.
But one night the placid water
turned into a mighty cauldron, full OF
seething foam that bubbled and tossed
as from the fathomless depths of In
ferno. Out on the shore we huddled
together, all our little fair-weather
community, eagerly watching if, per
chance, we might catch some glimpse
OF the laggard boats. One by one
they slowly came to port, and all the
time the wind moaned and the waves
dashed up against the murky sky.
Hurrying up and down the shore
poor Mary flew, wringing her hands
in agony, her clothes drenched with
the spray, her pale face and cleaning
eyes turned to the darkening water
In vain she cried and called her hus
band bv name. All the other boat,
had by this time reached the shore
but no tidings came from Frank. Al
night we waited, the men und the
fisher people working hard to FIND
some clew to his whereabouts. Al
last. Just when the cold light OF early
morning lifted portion of the night
black pail, a broken boat came float
ing up and was thrown upon the
shore. right at her feet, as the poor
wife stood waiting. She had ceased
her wailing and stood silent rs one IL
q dream.
When daylight came we gathered
round her and tried TO draw her from
the scene, but she gazed at Us a. one
who hears not single word. Tear
! less now, and overcome with grief
she seemed pale image of despair
| We tried to cheer her with the hope
that overtaken with the storm, hel
husband had found refuge in some
neighboring port; but as the mex
day passed, and no tidings came il
response to all her inquiries, ever
that belief no longer remained to us
All through the second day and the
long, long night poor Mary waited
while pitying neighbors searched ir
vain for the missing one. Her sell
control was wonderful as the hour'
passed by. Only her compressed lip'
and the wild agony in her lovely eyes
revealed the depths OF her despair
DAYS passed and still the search wen
on, until at length all hope persisted
save in the bosom OF the stricken
wife. She could-she would not-givt
him up although the boatmen who
spent their lives on the lake assured
her it was useless to fancy any mar
could have escaped alive from the III
~ of such a dreadful storm.
Weeks went by and no tidings came
to cheer her or settle the question o
| his fate.
In the early autumn our party wa
scattered, and the cottages on th'
lake shore were left deserted. Oh
how hard poor Mary begged that sh'
might be left there TO await her hus
] DdDu COuulbS . J OOA JNSH6
OF course we could not leave her alon'
| in that wild spot. 1t was the bright
est, gayest place in the summer time
but unspeakably dreary when to-
gloom OF winter settled down upon II
We urged her to come with US, bu
she was as immovable as rock, un
til, at last, my husband laid on he
his command as her pastor, and tn
guardian of her boy. He urged he
for the sake of the poor child now lei
to her alone, to come with US 70 ou
own home, and there wait in patienc
the will OF God, and after long pei
.uasion she yielded. Very sadly ou
little party turned back to our home
and poor Mary moved as in a walkinI
dream.
As time passed by she faded into
mere shadow OF her once brigh
cheerful self. Patient and subdued