The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-12-22

0' anu as DAVID and Rachel stoo
|. before the grey-haired minister, VIII
mad guided their young lives alono III
path OF faith, and took the solem,
vows that plighted them for life, from
young and old arose heartfelt PRAYER
Tor their future happiness.
Merrily the day passed, and lust he
lore the sun sank from sight Dayic
turned to his uncle and said:
see' Uncle, your grim prophecy ha.
come to naught. The ship is still a,
anchor, but Rachel and are married
and neither of us have been carried
away"
Don't brave the unseen. David fo,
the day is not over" the old man re.
piled. Rachel drew close to her hus.
band and one of the guests, young
sailor, laughingly said:
"But I'll tell you what will be car
ried away, Dave-the Water Witch
for she was dragging her anchor as I
passed. l had forgotten everything
ebout it until now.'
David arose hurriedly. The beauti-
full little boat was his pride, and the
recollection of many moonlight sails
on the bay with Rachel at his side en-
deared it still more to him.
"Come, let us go and see how she is
faring; the wind is again blowing great
guns" he said.
Let her drift, Dave" answered d
merry little cousin, who objected to
her tete-a-tete with young student
baing interrupted.
Rachel, don't let him CO."
Rachel loves the Water Witch too
well not to spare me for few moments
to see to her. Come, Jim, I'll not ask
any but weather-beaten tar like you
to leave glorious fire like this to
face the wind" and with fond glance
at his bride he left the room, accompa-
MED bp the sailor.
An hour passed, and Dave and Jim
had not returned. Rachel stole away
rom the gay throng and stood within
the embrasure of the window, looking
seaward, vague uneasiness creeping
over her as she saw the ship with wide.
spread sails dropping swiftly down to
the sea.
"Come back to the fire, Rachel. and
cease watching for Dave" called her
cousin. I" l am sure that he and Jim
are having trouble securing the Wa
ter Witch. You boys" turning to
the young men with pretty air of au-
thority, Ego bring the groom back. A
lost boat is nothing to a mourning |
bride"
Obeying her behest they made their
way to the shore, where the Water
Witch lay anchored. They found that
along the narrow pathway just above
the beach the snow was trampled as If
by many feet, and CHASTITY stain OF
blood married the whiteness, bnt Dave
and Jim were nowhere to be seen.
Il
Five years had passed since Rachel
stood bride beneath the Christmas
garlands, in the bright light of the
and wept Widows tears ere
The night shadows fell.
Again it was Christmas eve, and the
family circle sat by the fire. The wind
sighed around the house, but its moan
was unnoticed in the gay laugh and
chatter of the merry band of youths
md maidens. The child sister who
lad sat at David's knee the last night
le was with them had budded into
and for the first time
ince his disappearance Christmas
Greens hung on the. wall and the old
rang with mirth and music.
Rachel sat a little apart from the
youthful group and gazed sadly into
he fire. All day she had shut close
within her heart her bitter grief and
he hungry longing
'For the touch of a vanquished hand,
"The sound of voice that was still"
nd with unselfish love aided Mrs.
Vinslow make ready for the morrow's
estiyal. But now the days work was
yer and memory resumed its sway,
nd her cross seemed heavier than she
ould bear. The past arose wildly be-
ore her: Once more David stood at
er side. The dark prophecy OF evil
hat had fallen from the blind uncle's !