The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-08

and the storm raging about them. That they were alive seemed miracle When consciousness returned tu him the sea was washing their bodies. He had dragged her higher onto the sand and discovered that she was not dead Now her head was pillowed on his shoulder and her face hidden on his breast.
 Where are we?"
 II do not know. We must wait for light. It may be an island-it may be the shore."
 She laughed bitterly.
 Ut does not make much difference. shall never go back"
 Why" Oh, l know. l know!'
 You do not know the Storms. am forever disgraced in their eyes l would rather be dead. I shall never go back. Get me away somewhere and let me disappear. l will work, any thing, anything, rather than face my uncle"
 Her voice was scornful and dreary enough. He smoothed her wind roughed hair.
 DO not think that I do not know. I cannot see that my own case is very different. I, too have offended against the unwritten laws. I also must bear my punishment"
 Which will be"
 My grandfather never forgives."
 T know that well"
 After a long silence during which the wind seemed somewhat less ter rible, he said, in low tone:
 But I will make it up to you"
 How can youP
 "I can at least save you from the worst"
 The worst" she shuddered.
 'I can make you my wife"
 You? And I was to make such a great marriage
 50 was I. Perhaps this is one. We can call it so."
 She wrung her hands. 'I cannot go back alone. I cannot. But nothing could be worse than the return. I see no other way. Can you brave it?"
 He smoothed her hair from her fore head.
 We know the world and we see the situation. We were saved together and are known to have been out on the sea by this time. will take you back as my wife. That will be the | only thing now-as I sec"
 But marriage-marriage is a sol emn, sacred tie." 0O II Aos we VIII try u uO OuT duty. I think death has purified our souls tonight. So be comforted and we will see what the light brings us. It may solve the problem of what to do next"
 In the faint gray dawn he awoke from troubled sleep. They were on | long sandy beech. Clear across the bay were the buildings of the great | hotel. Beyond and above them was small village and the cross of a tiny stone church showed over the, trees.
 "The way is found" he said, calmly, come We Will go yonder." ''.' The news of their rescue went by telephone to the great hotel and the whole house excited by their disap- pearance and survival, waited on. the piazzas and at the wharf for their re- | turn on the coast steamer. The people at the village had given | pelu9seLd A9u@ ma Su!qloI0 emos meul a strange appearance as they stepped on shore. At the gang plank stood a white-haired old man and a red faced middle-aged man. They were both stern and choleric, their great relief finding vent in hot anger. The culprits came together. Carter Starr 1 held his head high and his lips were | e'o SNe oo bi6 x OWH. ElOlfStl 1 was wan and clung to his arm. There was loud huzzahing of the passen- gers and a dash forward .Ao shake | hands.
 Wait" he cried. "and I'll give you something to halloo for. Miss Storms and myself have been vegS near death and have come back as We were saved together. We were married this morn ing at St. stephens across the bay" ] The old mans eyes at once met those or the red-faced mans in a look of in tense relief. He caught his grandson 8 | arm.
 And you did right. you scamp! he roared out, You are always a gentle | man"
 And Eloise felt her uncle's wet cheek against her own.
 The proper thing" he sobbed, "the proper thing-and. under the circum- l stances. the only thing.
 F. H. Lancaster.