The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-07-25

set the air became quite chilly, and
Georgia up to her waist in wntcri BY
dark she had n perfect ague, and then fol-
lowed % drowsy numbness; she lost her
hold, and the old skif splashed off. But
she knew not when or where, nor in fact
anything, until she awakened 4S or moro
hours afterward down in the cabin of a
schooner and found the good old captain
and his wife in anxious attendance. They
told her that while crossing the lake, just
before entering the gulf, the light from
one Of the sailors lanterns flashed on u
fpuro over the water, and Immediately n
boat was lowered and she was brought
aboard moro dead than alive.
Naturally the girls first thought was OF
homo and Edgar and she wanted to return
at once. But that way out OF tho question.
This schooner was laden with lumber and
bound for Galveston, and having been on
the gulf now over two days and nights
there was no going back. OF course twas
very hard on her, but moro so on those at
home. However, she tried to DO patient,
and so soon as they reached Galveston sho
telcgraphed homo and the captains wife
mailed bulky letter, feeling sure that
would explain everything and set all
homo.
Various things, though, delayed her
Homecoming First the captain was sent
to Corpus Christi and during the trip en-.
countered such rough weather that he lost
many days Then he was sent to various
other points, all opposite routes to the one
Georgia had to take. In those days there
were no railroads from Texas through
Louisiana, as there arc now, so it was nee
essary to come by water. Tho girl was not
willing to trust herself with any one but
the captain and his wife, so she had to
abide her time. In the meanwhile sho
mailed letters regularly to her friends, but
what good were theyP
The Grove was 40 miles from the telc-
graph office, and tho operator mailed the
telegram, and of course 1t shared the same
fate as the letters-staid there until the
postmaster, weary of looking. at them,
bundled them all up and sent them to the
dead letter office. Tho people at tho Grove
and surrounding country rarely went into
town, never got any letters, never looked
for any, and so the postoflice was the last
place these people would ever dream of
hearing from Georgia. They were con-
WINGED of her fate and knew nothing to
the contrary until that morning when she
stood before them. The old couple wept
over her as though she was their child,
and there was great rejoicing among her
friends.
But the one Georgia wanted most to sec
was not there, 80 her homecoming was,
after all, a very sad one. But like many
woman had done since the beginning of
time she bore her burden patiently
AS the years went by old Mrs. Lawrence
was left widow. But Georgia, who had
put the question of marriage away from
her, still lived with her old friend and was
now her mainstay. The old captain and
his wife went to see them on every trip
made for Louisiana cypress, and these
visits were by far the most pleasant things
that came into the lives of these two WON
II. The cid captains schooner anchored
of Spanish lake, and the green yawl com
ing down stream with him and his wife
Aad crown to be II common sight now.
But enc evening there were anchored
two schooncrs, instead of one-the old
captains and another, white one, such
as these people had not seen before. Then
white yawl came in by the side of the
green one. A sailor handled the oars,
while man sat back in the rear, his arms
folded and his face turned toward the
Grove. Georgia walked down to the shore
to welcome her old friends, as was her
custom, but her eyes were on the one in
that white yawl.
Something in his attitude made her
heart beat violently. She tried to quiet 1t,
but that was useless, The blood rushed in
and out Of her face, and her quick, short
breathing made her bosom rise and fall In
quick succession.
The two boats landed and Georgia ran
forward to meet Edgar. He took her in
his arms and held her there as though he
never intended to let her go, and he didn't
either. Mrs Lawrence grew hysterical.
Indeed wet eyes were plentiful, but so
were smiles.
That evening, sitting out ON the porch
at Mrs. Lawrence's, Edgar Geland enter
tanned the whole population with an ac-
count of himself from the day he left the
Grove to tho time he came back. He had
straightway taken up life on the sea, be-
ginning humbly and working himself up
good name, he had built vessel of his
own, and, as his own captain, was taking
his vessel on its initial trip when he met
the old captain, to whom he told his story
and from whom he heard of Georgia.
The Grove was a happy place that night,
happier than it had ever been before, and
to this day there is nothing these people
take such delight in as a recital of this
story, always dwelling with pride on the
marriage, and how the people crowded on
the shore and waved at the young captain
and his bride until the vessel had gone
over Spanish lake and appeared tiny
Ixxyhit 20 dot ont on ha mi Pn7In1