Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-01-27
MISCELLANEOUS.
A STRANGE STORY.

by the window day after day, careful
never to go where CLEAN from the water
could catch her eye, as 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
sorrow.
A few friends of us had found little
nook ou the lake shore that exactly
suited US Far from the gay, madding
crowds which wander up and down the
country and are fast spelling the natural
beauties of our land, this lovely spot
seemed to have waited for our coming
We soon built number Of cosy cot
tages and came down from the city to
take possession, installing our household
divinities, the babies, the nurses aud
children OF all sorts and sizes, and before
long were as 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 they brought with them rollicking
baby boy Never were there two gayer,
ivelier mortas and so devoted to each
other; so we'll satisfied 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
as pair of schoolboys. it was not long
until the two we're at the head and front
Of all our arrangements.
Oh, what gay times we used to have
Especially when our small feet of canoes
were scattered over the lake, and fitting
like white winged birds over the smooth
and shining surface.
But one night the placid waters turn
ed into a mighty cauldron, full ofseeth-
ing foam that dubbed and tossed as
from the fathomless depths of Inferno.
Out on the shore we huddled together
all our little fair-weathor community
eagerly watching if, perchance, we
might catcI some glimpse of the lag
gard 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.
Hurryipg up aud down the shore poor
Mary few, wringing her hands in agony,
her clothes drenched with spray, her
pale face and cleaning eyes turned to
the darkening water. Ia vain she cried
and called her husband by name. All
the other boats had by this time reached
the shore, but no tidings came from
Frank. All night we waited, the men
and the fisher people working hard t.
find some clew to his whereabouts. Al
last, Just when the cold light of early
morning lifted portion of tho night'
black pail, broken boat came floating
up and was thrown upon the shore, right
at her feet, as the poor wife stood wait
ing. She had ceased her wailing and
stood silent as one in dream.
When daylight came we gathered
round her aud tried 10 draw her from
the scene. but she gazed at Us as Que
who hears not single word. fearless
now, and overcome with grief she
seemed pale image Of despair. w,
tried to cheer her with the hope thai
overtaken with the storm, her husband
had found refuge 10 somo golghborlnl
port but as the next day passed, anC
no tidings came in response TO all her
injuries, even that belief no longer re
manned to US.
All through the second day aud tb'
10 ng long night poor Mary waited, wbil'
plying neigbbors searched in vain for
the missing one Ter self control wa
wonderful as the hours passed by. Ool,
her compressed lips and tho wild agonl
10 her lovely eyes revealed the depths 0
her despair. Days passed and still thu
search went on, until at length all hop
perished save in the bosom Of the strick
en- wife. She could--she would not--giv,
him up, although the boatmen who spen
their lives On the lake assured hor il wa
useless to fancy any man could hav
escaped alive from the fury of SUCH
dreadful storm.
Weeks went by, and no tidlngs ca m
to cheer her or settle the question Of hi
fate
In the early autumn our party WI
scattered, and the cottages on the lax
shore we're left deserted Oh, how har
poor Mary begged that she might b
left there to await her husbands con
|, ing! Poor young creature, Of co1rs
VIC could not leave her alone 10 tbs
Wild spot. It was the brightest, gage
place IN The summer time, but unspeal
b ably dreary when the gloom Of wini'
settled down upon H.
,. We urged her 10 come with IL, bt
she was as lmmovable as rock, unit
al last, my husband aid on her his con
maud ~ her pastor and the guardian