The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-01-10

W0MMM> clouds were break
Wao9W tfGlMM ing, and toward
VLRXNAkS NJ the sunset there
~ &NCo q cleaned q single
w. spark Of blood-ret
light low dowT
upon the western mountains. The wine
had changed from the east, and the
breeze that famed the boyish brow O
Ralph Trenholme as he paced back and
forth over the shingly shore, was like
the breath of early June. And 1t wa:
the last of October. The sea was still.
high, tossing in at intervals remnants
of the "ill-starred ship that had gone to
pieces on Joliet Rock. just outside the
harbor mouth of Portlea.
How anxious had been the hearts on
shore for that wretched ship! How
earnestly they had watched it since
early dawn, when it had appeared in the
offing-driven about helpless, at the
mercy of the winds and waters, and at
last dashed upon the cruel rocks. They
had devised vainly among themselves.
those hardy fishermen, ways and means
to save the vessel from her fate. The
proud mistress of Trcnhoime House
better known as High Rock-had come
out into the storm, as pale and anxious
at the rudest fisherman's wife among
them-come put to beg them to do all
that human arm could do; to offer them
gold il they could save but one poor
life; and those brave, courageous men
had looked at her, and at each other,
sorrowfully and in silence: they knew
by stern experience that no boat could
live an hour in a sea like that. And so
the ship was left to go down unaided.
But Ralph TrenhoIme could not be
quiet. With the daring impulsiveness
of a boy of fourteen. he had thrice
launched the Sea Foam, his own little
boat, to go to the aid of the sufferers,
but as many times had the men of the
coast forced him back. They would
not stand by and see him go to death
for nought. Ralph fought against
them bravely, but was obliged to yield.
and restless, and chatting at his mac
tivity, which seemed to him almost
cowardly, he paced the shore, and
looked out to sea.
There came a great wave. He watched
it rising afar off, and saw that it bore
upon its crest something whittier than
the foam. He darted down to the
water line, and stood there when it
came so neal that it drenched him
through, but he caught the precious
freight it bore in his arms, and by the
wan light he looked into the face Of a
child-a girI-perhaps six or seven
years old, with pure features. stilled
into calm repose, and long, curling locks
of gold, floating dripping down, and
with seaweed. She was dressed
scarf of blue tissue, but the other end
was lost, torn away, probably, from the
support to which she had been bound
by some one who had cared to ave her.
Ralph gathered her up with something
like triumph swelling his heart. If
she were only alive he might have the
of knowing that he had
saved a life, for if she had been dashed
upon the shore, the sharp rocks
would have crushed out from that beau-
.iful face every semblance of humanity.
He puts his lips down to hers. There
vas a faint warmth. He ran up the
steep path leading to High Rock, bear
ng his treasure in his arms. and in to
lis mother, who was sitting before the
great fire that streamed redly up the
chimney.
See what the sea has given mel" he
ried, putting her down on the sofa. "a
cal little sea nymph, and as beautiful
IS an angel"
Softly, my son." said Mrs. Tren-
lolme, with mild dignity. Run for
)r. Hudson-perhaps she can be re-
Ralph was off instantly, but when he
eturned with the doctor, the little girl
i'd not need his aid; she was sitting up,
nd looking around her with great.
rendering eyes, and a flush of scarlet
n either cheek. But when they Ques-
Toned her, she could give no satisfac-
Dry reply. She put her hand to her
.rehead, in a confused sort of way,
said she could not remember. All
~nowledge of the past was blotted out.
t was as if it had never been. She
ad forgotten her own name. She did
OF even remember that she had been
n shipboard, and when they asked her
bout her parents, she looked at them
/ such a dazed sort Of q way that Mrs.
renholme saw at once it was useless
!, press the matter. The severe shock
er nervous system had received from
emaining so long in the water had
total Oblivion of the past.
Her clothing was fine and costly, but
iere were no trinkets by which any
ne to her parentage could be obtained.
he only thing that might serve to
her was a minute scarlet cross,
below the shoulder. on her arm