Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-05-31

Sne stopped suddenly, as tall, dark
proved man, with the form and bear
ing of some Viking of old, advanced
to her side. and bent down to her
anxiously.
.sThe cabin is all ready, If you wish
to retire. MY daughter you are tax
ing your strength too far, fear, to-
day. Remember, we have had a long,
fatiguing Journey, and you are weak
yet. very weak"
"But I am resting here, papa she
replied, making an effort to speak gal
". "It is so much better than the
close narrow cabin. Besides" she
added. more softly, 81 must take. my
last look at my native land"
'"That none in this great vessel leave
with less regret" said the father. a
harsh frown gathering on his brow.
'..There is no heartbreak in our fare
well. Marie. We leave neither home
nor friends behind us. Our world is
here"
He laid his broad hand on her
shoulder. as he spoke, and light, low
ing as was it's pressure, there was a
certain fierce assertion of authority i'll
it the girl was quick to feel.
For the purest feelings of this fiery
hearted man lacked the gentler ele-
inent Of tenderness. He loved his
child deeply. truly, ardently-he would
have poured out the last drop of his
blood cheerfully for her sake; but she
must be his-his al0ne-his to guard,
to love. to che:ish-but his alone.
81 warned Mademoiselle Marie That
this wind was keen.' interposed Ma
dam Gillette; "but she preferred re,
naming here. The spot is quiet and
secluded. and the sights are, no doubt,
extremely beautiful"
Gas you please" said the gentleman,
moving the hand that had rested upon
his daughters shoulder. II have some
things to arrange securely in my state
room before the vessel begins to roll.
We will have to find our sea-legs, if
this breeze continues before we pass
the Narrows."
eth. ma foil" said the little madam.
holding up her plump hands in dis
may. "And her trunks are not even
strapped to their places. must fly,
mademoiselle. or there will be one
grand smash! You are vera sure that
the wind is not too strong for you?"
she added. anxiously.
"Quite sure" answered the girl,
with a patient, weary smile. "Let ME
have the sunlight, madam while I
may"
And. as the little madam tripped off
in her fathers wake. Mademoiselle
Marie sank back in her chair with a
low sigh of relief. She must have
been weak. indeed, or so short a con-
versation would not have so wearied
her.
Closing her eyes, as if she would
shut out sight as we'll as sound. the
girl seemed to fall again into list
less reverie.
The pale, golden hair, brushed back
in ripping masses from the low,
broad brow revealed the beautiful
features clearly. So still and lifeless
We're they, unlit by the deep lustre Of
the, wondrous gray eyes that it seemed
almost as if statue were resting
there. not living, breathing woman.
Deep in that woman's heart, a
smothered pain was stirring-a pain
she had herself awakened by her last
words-"Let me have the sunlight
while 1 may!'
And when. at length, her eyes I'M
closed. there were tears glittering in
their linpid depths-tears that she
brushed away ere they could fall.
The river was glittering to the west
the :verdant slopes of island and point
sunset: for. far above, dim and dis
pale star trembled where the shadows
M. ir1, hn OF nf
hope.
The busy. crowded scene around
vanished from the pale girls eyes.
She; was away-far away, beyond the
sea, the wood the mountain-far up
the golden river, that wound like a
pathway of light into the heart of a
f1owery land. She stood again on the
yerdant slope Of un-hallowed hill,
and listened to words that would echo
in her heart for life-time-"The star
Of hope shines above us, and will light
our pathway"
All. mockery-bitter mockery! AL
ready there was a tremor in the vast
mass of iron and timber; the huge
wheels began to turn slowly and pain
fully, the mighty lungs to work. AL
ready world of waters was widen
ing between; already the fat of etern-
al welfare had been pronounced.
|. ''Too late sir-too late"
A shout from the crowd below start
led the dreamer into reality again.
s.'Not too late for jump! cried the
captain. cheerily, as young gentle
man with satchel in one hand ran
breathlessly to the edge of the wharf.
The pale face of the watcher on the
deck flushed suddenly with a Won
drous light; the eyes kindled with IA
dance. She half-rose. and then. with
a low cry of pain, fell back amid her
cushions as Herbert Give with the
spring Of an athlete, touched the NOV
ing vessels deck.