Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-01-01

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CRYSTAL HILL
tant. Then, shaking a finger at me with
playful gesture, she eaid: "Oh, Felipe,
you did not think would come, now did
your And now that have come, do you
not think me overbold, or are you glad to
see me, to have me bide awhile with your
Now, as to the hereafter-well, we must
allow events TO shape our course. Now
lead me TO your cavern. am tired
faint.
While the maid set the cave In order and
my beloved reclined In my hammock,
prepared a simple repast, which, with cool
water from a spring that gushed from the
hillside near, soon set before her.
After she had partakena and had been re-
freshed by a siesta, she Joined me at the
caves mouth. where we sat hand in hand
until the plain below was all in shadow,
only the white trunks of the palms stand
ing out pallid as ghosts in the gathering
gloom.
During the week that followed Olivia
and her maid occupied the inner chamber
Of the cave, which was sacred to their
privacy, while guarded the caves mouth
and the outer room We both knew well
our lives were in the hands of the authori-
ties when her father, Don Amadeo, should
overcome his pride and command the in
evitable search for his daughter. 10 could
not be long deferred, and so we lived in
daily apprehension of capture and separa-
ton, yet were happy.
The knowledge of impending sorrow
only gave present joys a keener zest 1t
seemed impossible TO escape from the is
land, closely guarded as It was. Yet /
made my preparations. Far down below
US was the solitary shore of a landlocked
bay, beyond which were innumerable Gays
and still farther off the ocean. Neither sea
nor shore was often visited. save now and
then by smuggler or filibuster.
Every day az sunrise, Olivia and her
maid accompanying, went down TO the
landlockod harbor and worked upon q
great raft Of bamboo. which when finished
1 launched and anchored in the placid bay
behind the coral reefs. Day by day there
after during the whole OF Christmas week
carried down provisions clothing, arms
and ammunition until at last our frail
craft was laden with everything necessary
for voyage
Four days passed after we were ready
before we saw a sail upon the ocean II
was late in the afternoon OF the last day Of
December when, sitting In the shade Of the
cave, Olivia pointed out n speck upon The
waves She looked long and earnestly
then said, Dearest, it is a ship, and it Il
coming toward our island Fl"
"Will you ventGre2" 1 asked
Certainly, she answered, smiling int
my eyes But first let US be indeed sur
it is approaching"
IL drew nearer, nearer, rising higher
higher, until, as the sun sank behind TIT
hill crest, the white sails were illumineC
by its rays. Then, no longer doubtful, w
went at once TO the shore, but as we EN-
barked the maid refused to risk the voyage
and chose to return to brave the wrath o
Don Amadeo. So she and her mistres
babe each other fearful farewell, and W
set sail without her. We had fair wind
and laid a course for the bark, which, a
1t was sailing slowly, hoped to overhaul
within an hour or two.
half the distance kad been traversed
and, though darkness now overspread tn
ocean, we could still make out the ship
position by her lights. Tho sea becam
rougher and more turbulent. and sudden
" ! sensod a new danger. While wa
watching the foam crested pillows SWEEP
ing toward as. in order to avoid them.
, saw in their dark hollows rapidly NOV
ing streaks of phosphorescence.
We were beset by sharksl Their ham
ing fms were cleaving the water all abou
us The black waves were alive wit
theml
But tho bark was looming steadily b
fore US. In another half hour we should b
; within hail, even II she did not sooner sc
} as and lower boat Perhaps was mad
p too confident by this assurance; but, will
out warning, a fierce wave assailed 4
- -
3 wave carried my sweetheart away into til
. darkness, but swan swiftly to her sic
and thrust out an arm to draw her to IN
o shoulder for support
' But that instant, as her eyes looked To-
8 ingly into mine, cry burst from her liI
and she sank beneath the waves. / clutcl
ed at her dress and strove to raise her, bs
my strength was unavailing as again
that of the monster that had seized ner.
Down, down, below the turmoil Of way
and roaring Of pillows we sank togethe
l wrenched my knife from Its sheath, an
|. in my fury, plunged It into the man eater
body, gray and CHASTITY alongside of m
The grim jaws relaxed their hold, an
: dragging the apparently nfeless form
the surface, l bore 1t to the raft and ca
myself down beside her. There, while Il
waves swept over us, while the fms of &
2 sharks Kissed and cleaned in the foamiI
& waters, call to her, bent aboy her, pres
IT ed my lips to hers.
IT Then, overcome by fatigue and despal
n swooned by her side.
From dreamless sleep, from hOveril
on the borders of oblivion, / was awaken
, BY strange voices. / was on the deck OF
ship. 1 saw forms OF men pass vague
before me, and by my side-yes, there ali
n sat one whom / had thought no long
living
h Her shining eyes looked into mine agai
of and then she told me Of our rescue frc
t the waves The night had passed, a
n now the dawn had come and with its CO..
ID ing the futtering of sails and the rattli
" of anchor chain informed US that p'
20 was reached 1t was that Of Grand O.
n man, TO the southeast Of Isle Of Pines
ne neutral port, and we were safe.
e. We were married that day at noon, a
ID thus was achieved the contamination
he our happiness And the captain Of
m bark, who himself had taken Olivia fr'
a the raft, said solemnly as he placed
is hand In mine: Her life belongs to n
is for ! saved it, but it is also yours
th cause she gave It TO you. That was vest
OF day. and hence last year; this is tod
OF and hence the new year. That which p
n lishcd In the old year the new year sees
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