The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-08-26

right, he thought despairingly; his love
come it.
They parted at the door and Isadore
watched him until his form was lost in
the gathering darkness. "He is so good
to me-" she murmured. ''He seems like
dear brother. Poor Royal l hope his
life may be a happy one
With a sigh she opened the door and
entered. Her mother and aunt were seat
ed by the little wood fire engaged in knit
ting. The former looked up from her
work as the door closed: "Isadore, child,
l am glad it is you, l felt anxious about
you were gone so long; and as Royal came
in l sent him to look for you. Did you
see him?'
Eyes, mother, he left me at the door
just now, and -'fWhere have you been?"
interrupted her aunt. Down by the water,
dare say, watching for that good for
nothing husband of yours. Iguess you'll II
have to look spell longer before you see
him: he's found prettier face than yours
before now, I'll warrant"
Isadore faced her i'll natured aunt, her
dusky eyes at1ame. "Aunt Jane, how dare
you speak so to me of Earle? II know that
he is as true as heaven itself if he is alive.
Never speak of him in that way to me
again. | will not bear it,
''Y GU are an impudent piecen' mutter-
ed her aunt and relapsed into silence. She
was little afraid of Isadore in her right
eous anger, and knew that she had better
not say any more at present.
But now, perhaps we ought to explain
matters more clearly before continuing
our story. Isadore was the only child of
David Fairlie. a sailor born and bred, and
who five years before, had lost his life in
a storm at sea; leaving his wife, a frail,
nervous little woman. and Isadore, bril-
liant beautiful girl, full of life and energy,
TO battle for the means of existence; and
nobly had they toiled. His sister Jane,
grim, ill-tempered spinster, also shared
their home. Three years after her fathers
death Isadore, then a girl of eighteen,
married Earle Allyne. well to do young
sea captain. Six short months had passed
happily away: then her young husband
had sailed foT foreign lands, leaving her
with her mother during his absence She
had received letters from him regularly at
ti,,St 1,1t+ tl,aI~ baI r,,I.1arI1, ooacaI II;-
last letter informed her that he should be
at home in a few months but although
nearly year had elapsed since then no
tidings as to whether he was living or
dead had ever reached her. No wonder
she was nearly wild with anxiety.
Three weeks from the time this story
opens Isadore arose one morning with
strange presentiment of coming danger
which she could not shake off. The day
was dark and gloomy, with fitful bursts of
wind and rain, which increased in VIC
lence as the night drew near. Restless
and miserable, she retired early, and worn
out with anxiety soon fell asleep. Sud
a vessel in distress breaking upon her
startled ear. With cry she sprang from
her bed and hurried to the window, where
IA fearful sight met her gaze. The heavens
were obscured by Wild heavy clouds,
broken at intervals by lurid flashes of
lightning that revealed the ocean dashed
to fury by the gale, and the doomed ship
stranded upon a treacherous ledge the
furious waves breaking over her. Huge
fires were blazing upon the beach and by
their light she could see the people who
had gathered running to and fro, not
knowing what to do or what aid to render
She dressed hurriedly with trembling
fingers, and Selling heavy shawl ran
hastily down stairs; at the landing she
met her mother pale and trembling.
ooh, Isadore, this is fearful, vessel is
going to pieces upon the rocks
II know it, mother, and | am going
down to the Shore s'Give me that flask
of brandy, and have hot blankets ready;
they may save some poor soul, and as our
house is the nearest they will be likely to
bring them here And like an arrow
she sped away.
A tall figure came hastily towards her
as she paused at the waters edge. Is it
you, lsadore? you ought not to be here
sob, Royal, l could not stay at home
'Isn't it awful those poor souls will all
perish. Oh, it seems terrible to have
so many lost; can nothing be done to save
them?''
II am afraid not, Isadore; a boat could
not live moment in such a sea. 1t
is fearful. | should have made the at
tempt long ere this had there been the
slightest chance of saving any,
Meanwhile the doomed ship was sending
up rockets, and at intervals came the
heavy booming of the signal guns. Sud
denly binding glare of lightning illum-
ined sea and land, and by it's light Isa-
dore saw man battling with the waves,
his white, despairing face turned toward
the shore. With a fearful shrek she
turned to Royal. ooh. save himn' 1t is