The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-10-26


there foated
from the weather beaten rocks the
words ofa song. The singer had APP
parently forgotten that he was there
ut this picturesque trysting place To
meet the dearest girl in the world"
and, as though inspired by the pan
Drama OF gorgeous co!orinSs Of sky
and ocean had begun singing:
"rhreo fishers went sailing out into the
vest
ou!. into the ives, when tho sun went
The song abruptly ended IA over
the rocks climbed II girlish figure,
who a moment later was clasped in
the arms OF the singer, Duncan Gray,
but instead OF the usual rosuish smile
pale, frightened face lookcl up at
bin.
Dora, you are ill., he exclaimed
10 alarm.
= NO" cane the answer from the
trembling lips, at was my dream. All
'ay y conll not forget it. Such a
dreadful dream"
Why, dear. d,d not ti,inl; yoa
would allow Yourself I, be 80 dis.
iWbed by dream. Bat tell ms
about ID.
"Oh, / thought "a: here on this
very lodgo, hut alone, aud the waves
were pounding and beating against
the rock'. Snth dark, angry waves,
aud then -" she shivered with the
memory, ',hen / saw you appear
among those tossing foam crested
waves, anl your face was rs white "a
death. ] cricd out to you, but you
did n"t hear me. l reached down,
thinking to save you when wave
should sweep up nearer, when a
mighty wave rolled up, whose spray
left me drenchcd and blinded for a
moment, and after it had receded
iookod for you in vain and then found
myself awake ald shuddering with
fear, the fear that it might be PRESENT.
ment Oh, can il mean that some
danger awaits you;"
You foolish little GIRL he inter.
rupted, attempting to allay her almost
hysterical sobbiug, "don't let your
mind dwell upon such thoughts"
but promise me you will be most
careful and avoid all danger, for my
sake"
You may rest assured" he smil.
iugly replied, THAT suicide is al
present tho farthest from my inten
lions"
"Do not jest, but tell me you will
in every way possible preserve your
self from danger. 1t was so real tha
you were lost TO me! You will prom
Use, won't you, pleasef" she pleaded
what is it I am to promise?'
queried Duncan.
THAT You will avoid any actor
that could result in disaster to you.
'Why, then, I promise; promise I,
do whatever lies within my power t.
divert any calamity that would TO
one moment grieve my little Dora"
"Oh, thank you!" she cried, cling
ing to him as though she was no
quite sure that his promise had save,
him from some inevitable peril.
On o cold, gray morning, fou
months later, tue wind began at al
early hour to mean dismally along tn
rocky shore; by noon it had increase,
TO o gale, accompanied by snow, an
long before twilight storm in all it
fury was besieging the little fishin
hamlet.
"Three wives sat up in the lighthous
tower,
And they trimmed the lamps as the su
went down;
They looked at the squall and they locke
at tho shower,
And the night rack Gaze rolling u
ragged and brown;
But men must work and women mu
weep,
Though storms DO sudden and waite
deep,
And the harbor bar be moaning
Sang Dora as she flushed her la.
domestic duties OF the day.
How glad am that my Duncan
not one OF the poor sailor bows I,
night" she added to herself as, b.
fore sealing herself with her moth,
she ran and peered from the little vii
low against which the snow was stea,
i'y beating.
Yes, there was Duncan, almost
the door-but who was with hin
Dora FASTENED to admit them TO Il
hight; but only Duncan entered, cal
ing to his companion, who was fa
disappearing in the darkness, "Wi
he with you directly" Thou to Il
astonished Dora he hastily explaine
"A vessel on the point is signallir
Tor help and Joe is picking up men
go to her relief. Sorry I cant st,
With you"
A terrible thought crosses her mil
her dream of not long ago-a,
quickly clasping her hands upon
arm she said, with face pale in its i
tensity: "You must not Co."
Not go!" was his astonished repl
II should have supposed you wou
urge ma to 60 to the relief OF those wi
are in such distress"
Duncan, che responded, in ton
whose ealmness was belied by the Il
ror depicted in her face, ''you mu
not 60, for know now il was Of IL
that I dreamed"
Dora, can You think OF those q,
sering souls out there and permit su
superstitions to bar me from rend,
ing them sssistance?''
"How can let you co." came fre
the quivering lips, when I know y
are going to your desth?"
Firmly he unclasped the clingi
6pgers from his arm and with hea,
Good by, Dora" his hand was up
the lstch.
With's cry she attempted to spri
between the door and him whose
The was striving to reclaim before
was too late. His strong arm caut
her, held her for one moment and IL
gently brushed her away. Sudde,
sglad light-a light Of hope--she
. in her eyes.
''Your promise" she exclaim
your promise to me that you wo1
mt suporil vour 1;fovou .,rot,