Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-05-02

homeward from the station that beau
tiful, calm September evening ! felt IN
my heart that he loved me and ! was
blissfully happy.
As we entered the parsonage gate
and stood together in the moonlight he
put his arms around me and asked me
to become his wife.
NV darling Ralph, how much loved
him; but told him to wait for his an
swer until we met ut the party the
next evening
How happy l was that night All,
too happy. I went to my wardrobe
and looked at my dresses. There was
the lovely white one had made for
the party. would wear that dress
when I gave him my answer, which
should be: Eyes, my love, l accept the
most sacred gift man can bestow
upon a woman-the gift OF his love, his
name and his honor"
After awhile ! went TO bed and fell
asleep. 1t must have been near morn
inQ when was awakened by q terrible
crash Of thunder and vivid display OF
lightning.
The house itself seemed To rock to
and fro, for the wind was blowing a
tremendous gale. Igot up immediate.
" and ran downstairs to my parents
room. found them both up and
dressed.
"This Is q fearful wind" my father
exclaimed. God grant that there are
no fishermen near our coast tonight,
for a boat could not be manned in q
tempest like this"
"But we have a lifc-saving station
and crew now, father" ! cried, but
then q shudder Of fear ran through my
heart when | remembered that my
lover was the captain Of that crew,
and might have to 20 out In such O
storm as this. My father and mother
thought also Of Ralph, and for awhile
we were silent
Harkl What was that? The alarm
from the boathouse. Was there Il fish
ing boat with life in danger, or why
was the Waterman calling for the
crew? The alarm bell rang on.
at must be the wind that is ringing
the bell" my dear mother said Our
boys could not 20 out in a terrible
storm like this"
"Oh, father" ! cried, 'let us go
there and see, for Ralph | know VIII
be there"
NV father commanded Inc to be calm,
and said. at would do no good for us
to 20 out In the storm even If Ralph
and the crew were out"
Again the alarm bell sounded, and
cried out in despair: Father, | must
and ! shall gol"
I rushed to my room and dressed, and
going downstairs ] entreated my father
10 hurry. As we opened our house
door the wind blew in and extinguished
the light OF my mothers candle, as she
stood near the door and begged us not
to go.
Almost every moment the thunder
would peal and the lightning would
fash and light up the village and coast
for miles, and the rain poured down In
torrents 1t was fearful struggle
but clinging closely together we 81
last reached the boat house.
There was the old Waterman anc
two or three members Of the crew, but
where were the captain and the Others
Over the water came the faint cries
of two fishermen, whose boat had beer
shattered upon the rock, to which they
were clinging, and the shouts OF The
brave boys could be heard, who haf
gone out in q small boat TO save them
Oh, why had they attempted such
dangerous thing in this awful storm
Would they succecd9
NV father and | fell on our knees ant
prayed to God to guide that boat ant
bring them safely back, but the SET
was too angry that night and the wine
and the waves too high, and soon thu
cries of the perishing fishermen wer'
hushed forever by the roar OF thu
angry waters.
There on the shore we waited and
prayed, while the waves dashed furi
ously on the rocky beach. The min
utes seemed like days to us, until al
most half an hour had passed away
while we watched there and prayed
but our boys did not return from theil
errand of mercy.
At last there was momentary lul
In the storm, and we went nearer t.
the water and peered out over the angrl
sea.
A fash OF lightning revealed to Ii
for moment the beautiful new boa
tossing empty on the foam, and l sanl
upon the sand unconscious.
When came to myself the sun wa
shining brightly and was In my owl
room at home. My father, mother ant
many Of my friends were with me, Blu
they could not comfort me, for knew
that my lover had persisted.
Ali that was sixty years ago, and
have lived to bury all my friends, ant
all things have changed since then, ant
! am an old, old woman now.
People wonder why ! do not sell thi
old house, for 1t does not compare witt
the modern architecture of the palatia
homes that are now upon the street
They wonder, too, why love to sit an,
listen to the old chimes in the Of,
church tower. When hear rumor
that the people Of Belmont are goinI
to tear down the old church and bull,
q fashionable new house of worship
grow pale to think that may yet hav
to endure life without those dear oil
chimes.
llarkl they are ringing now. Low
them, for they have helped me to liv
for sixty years. The children ar
right. ! am now an old woman Q
eighty-"that old, old maid, Miss Ii
cell. "--Trov Times
FARMER FOUND DEAD.
A Bullet Hole In Ills Head and Pistol II
dieatg Iuul PLAY