The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1901-12-25

tue IdIiilS shutting cut lsllllu as GHOSTS
In the gathering gloom.
During the week that followed Olivia
and her maid occupied the inner cham
Der Of the cave which was sacred to
their privacy, while | guarded the
caves mouth and the outer room. We
both knew well our lives were in the
hands of the authorities when her IA
Their, Hpn Amadeo, should overcome
his pride and command the inevitable
search for his daughter. 1t could not
be long deferred, and SO we lived in
daily apprehension of capture and sep
aration. yet were happy
The knowledge of impending sorrow
only gave present Joys keener zcst
1t seemed impossible 10 escape from
the island, closely guarded as il was.
Yet l made my Preparations Ear
down below us WAS the solitary shore
of Il land locked bay. beyond which
We're innumcrable Gays. and still far.
Their off the ocean. Neither sea nor
shore was often visited. save now and
then by smuggler or tilibustcr
Every day ut sunrise. Olivia and her
maid accompanying. | went down to
the land locked harbor and worked
upon great raft of bamboo, which,
when finished, | launched and anchor
ell in the placid bay behind the coral
reefs. bay by day thereafter during
the whole of Christmas week | carried
down clothing. provisions, arms and
ammunition until ut last our frail craft
was laden with everything necessary
for Il voyage.
-Four days passed after we We're
ready before We SAW sail upon the
ocean. 1t was late In the afternoon of
the last day of December, when. sit
ting in the shade of the cave. Olivia
pointed out speek upon the waves
She looked long and earnestly. then
said
Dearest. 1t Is ship. and II is coming
toward our island"
"Will you venture" | asked
Certainly" she answered, smiling
into my eyes. Tut first let us be In
deed sure II is approaching"
1t drew nearer, nearer. rising higher,
higher. until, as the sun sank behind
the hill crest. the white sails were ii
lumned by its rays. Then, no longer
doubtful we went nj once Ia the shore.
But rs we embarked the maid refused
to risk the voyage and chose TO return
10 brave the wrath of Don Amadeo. So
sire and her mistress badc each other II
fearful farewell, and Me sci sail With
out her We Lad n fair wind and |
laid course for the bark, which, ms il
was sailing slowly, hoped 10 overhaul
within an hour or Two.
Half the distance had been traNcrsed,
and, though darkness now oVefspread
the ocean. We could still make out the
ships position ly her lights The set
became rougher and more turbulent
and suddenly sensed new danger
While | WAS watching the foam crested
pillows sweeping toward us In order &c
avoid them saw in their dark hollows
rapidly moving strcaks of phosphor
eScenCc.
We were bcsct by sharks Their
flaming fins were c!eaying the water
all about us. The hlack waves were
alive with them.
But the bark WAS looming steadily
before Us. In another half hour we
should be within hail even If she did
not sooner see us aud lower II boat
Perhaps | was made too confident 10y
this assurance; but, without warning, II
fierce wave assailed us, aud the raft
was overturned. The same wave car
ried my sweetheart away into the dark
ness, but | swan swiftly to Der side
aud thrust out an arm To draw her 20
my shoulder for support
But that instant. rs her eyes looked
lovingly into mine, It cry burst from
her lips, and she sank beneath the
waves. clutcbed ut her dress and
stroYe to raise her, but my strength
was unavailing ns against that Of the
monster that had seized her
Down, down. below the turmoil of
waves aud roaring pillows we sank to
gether. / Wrenchpd my knife from It's
sheath and Ia my fury plunged II into
the man eaters body, gray and CHASTITY,
alongside Of me The grim jaws re
Taxed their hold, and, dragging the ap-
parcntly lfeless form TO the surface.
bore il To the raft and east myself down
beside her. There. while The waves
swept over us, while the fins of the
sharks Kissed and CLEANED In the foam
ing waters, | called To her, bent over
her, pressed my lips to hers
Then, overcome by fatigue aud de
spalr, swooncd by her Side.
From dreamless sleep. from hover
ing on the borders of oblivion, ] was
awakened by strange voices, | was on
the deck of ship. ! saw forms OF
men pass vaguely before me, and by
my side yes, there alive sat one whom
| had thought no longer living.
Her shining eyes looked into mine
again, aud then she told me Of our res
cue from the waves. The night had
passed aud now the dawn had come,
and with its coming the fluttering Of
sails and the rattllng of anchor chain
Informed us that port was reached.
II was that Of Grand Caymau, to the
southeast Of Isle Of Pines, neutral
port, and we We're safe.
We were married that day at noon,
and thus was achieved the consumma-
ton of our happiness. And the captain
of the bark, who himself had taken
Olivia from the raft said solcmnly as
he placed her hand In mine:
Her life belongs TO me, for ! saved
It, but IL Is also yours because she gave
It to you. That was yesterday, and
hence last year; this is today, and hence
the new year That which perIshed in
the old year the new year sees restored
10 life. God bless you both and sancti-
fy this New Years gift. "-Buffalo Even
ing News.
Bound 20 sound Their al"