Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1899-12-16


tall slight form, and golden hair
falling into dusky masses. | did
not see myself at all. Truly rs ] sit
here, the turbulent, restless ocean
roaring and foamine round New
foundlsnd, was in that mirrors
depths / had never seen those
shores-those rocks-no voice spoke
to me, aud yet I knew then well.
Toward them was driving helpless
ship, beguiled by fogs, disnantled
by storms. On its decks stood one
whose face I knew. He was giving
directions, ensuring the safety OF
others, so far rs he could. / saw
that 10 his eyes, on his brow, which
said that be had no care Tor his own
lie would 60 down with the ship.
Suddenly as it came the vision fad
cd A sullen roar as if of retreat
ing aters was in my ears. Tue
mirror gave back only the room,
With its cumbrous, polished furni
Nture-the young girl standing slight
and still 10 the midst, with o can
die in her hand.
81 knew then that vain had been
all my attempts to tone for the sad
past. knew Robert Ash was dead
It paralyzed me rather than mad.
dened me. I went back into the
sitting room as one in q dream.
Soon my sisters came home. l let
them 10, and listened, with an apathy
which doubtless they mistook for
silent interest, 10 their account OF
the lively evening which they had
passed. I went to bed and heard,
through all the November night,
the north wind keening like ban
shee at my window-yainly trying
to shut my eyes on picture which
would not vanish.
"There was a week after that, in
which | was silent, and waited. /
do not think, slept for one quiet
hours. If sank for few NOM
ment into fttul slumber, it was
only to hear the more plainly the
rush and roar of waters--to see the
strong ship going helplessly onto
its death.
cat the weeks end came letter.
Mrs. Ash, his mother, received it,
and sent it over to me TO read. 1t
was from the second mate Of the
ship here, Captain Ash, and was
dated New York. 1t told
little that | did not know before.
The ship, lost in the fog, driven by
the tempest, hurrying to its doom
had not seen ii? There were words
though, which, even in that agony,
l was proud to read. When it be-
came evident that the sole hope was
In the boats, knowing that the &C
commodations would be insufficient
for all, Captain Ash, after provid-
ing for the women and children, had
made the others draw lots for their
chance. My own post he said
camly, is to go with the sbip. To
t1e second mate, who was in com.
mand of the life boat. he had given
the address of his mother. 1T you
are saved, he had charged him,
write to her. Tell her that / died
as her son should. l rave no one
else to mourn for me-
There was no message to me, l
thought bitterly. How had she
known that had a right to read
those tidings! | glanced at the car
pet OF my feet. where had fallen un-
perceived, as opened the letter, the
one so full OF hope and love which I
had written to hin. Could he but
seeu that, thought, and known how
love him, l could have borne all.
The seal was broken. 1t had been
forwarded 10 bis mother. and she,
reading it, had known that another
woman's heart beside her own
would be darkened forever for the
sake of her dead boy. l took up
the mates letter again.
HE had seen Captain Ash last,
he said, az tLey stood away from
the ship-on her deck, waving his
hand and shouting good-by, to his
men. He had gone down with the
Hero.
| swell had he said, one year be-
fore, that if death came he would
meet him as a brave man ought
l could be prond of my hero. But
for me-wbat was left? He had not
even known how | repented-how /
| loved him. In one hour my
youth WIS dead. ALI that. women
ordinarily hope for 10 life was shut
out from me forever. Never for me
was bridal robes, pure and. white
as hoarfr ost never tones of hus-
bands love-never murmuriog voice
of little children. Sitting there, my
hands clasped on the letter my iu-
ture driftcd slowly by me. Ny
pride h.d wrought my doom-rob-
bed me OF sll life had proffered, or
fate held for me.
Then all grew blank, and only
the rush of many waters in my ears.
1t was weeEs, after before | knew
what forms were at my bedside
what heads minisiered to my needs.