The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1901-12-27

During the week that followed Oiiyim
and her maid occupied the inner cham
Der Of the cave. which was sacred to
their privacy. while I guarded the
caves mouth and the outer room. We
both knew well our likes were In the
hands Of the authorities when her IA
ther, Don Amadeo. should overcome
hts pride and command tile inevitable
search for his danyhter. 1t could nor
be long deferred. and so we lived IN
daily apprehension Of capture and sep
arntion. yet were happy.
The knowledge of impending sorrow
only gave present Joys n keencr zest.
It seemed Impossible to escupe from
the island, closely guarded as 1t WIS.
Yet / made my preparations Far
down below us was the solitary shore
of land locked bay. beyond which
were innumernble cnys. ind still far
Their OF the ocean. Neither sea nor
shore was often visited. save now ana
then by smuggler or 6llbuster.
Every day ut sunrise, Olivia and her
maid accompanying. went down TO
the land locked harbor and worked
upon a great raft of bamboo, which,
when finished. launched and anchor
ed In the plucld bay behind the coral
reefs. Day by day thereafter DURING
the whole Of Christmas week carried
down clothing, provisions. arms and
ammunition until at last our frail craft
was laden with everything necessary
for voyage.
Four days passed after we We're
ready before. we saw sail upon the
ocean. It was late in the afternoon of
the last day of December, WHOM. sit
ting in the shade of the cave, Olivia
pointed out speck upon the waves.
She looked long and earnestly. then
said:
Dearest. It is a ship. and 1t is coming
toward our island"
"WIll you venture" asked.
Certainly" she answered. smiling
into my eyes. But first let US be in
deed sure It 10 approaching.
1t drew nearer. nearer, rising higher,
higher, until, 40 the sun sank behind
the hill crest, the white salls were IL
lumined by its rays. Then. ne longer
doubtful. We went at once 70 the shore.
But as we embarked the maid refused
to rink the voyage and chose to return
to brave the wrath Of Don Amadeo. 30
she and her mistress bade each other Q
fearful farewell. and We set sail with
out her We had . fair wind, and
laid course for the bark, which, ~ It
was saili1S slowly, hoped to overhaul
| within an hour Or two
Half the distance bad been traversed.
and. though darkness now overspread
the ocean, we could still make out the
ships position BY her lights. The sea
became rougher and more turbulent.
and suddenly sensed q new danger.
While i was watching the foam crested
pillows sweeping toward us In order to
avoid them saw in their dark hollows
rapidly moving streaks Of phospher-
escence.
We were beset by sharks! Thick
Naming fins were chewing the water
al about US. The black waves were
alive with thea.
But the bark was looming steadily
BEFORE US. In another nalf hour We
should be within hail even II she did
not sooner see as and lower . boat.
Perhaps was made too confident by
this assurance; bat, without warning, .
fierce wave assailed us. and the raft
was overturned. The same wave car
ried my sweetheart away into the dark
ness, hut awam swiftly to her side
and thrust out an arm to draw her to
my shoulder fer support.
hut that instant. as her eyes licked
lovingly into mlne, . cry burst from
her lips, and she sank beneath the
waves. ] clatched at her dress Gnd
strove to raise her. but my strength
was unavaillnI as against that OF the
monster that had seized her.
Down, down. below the turmoil q
waves and roaring blllews We sank to-
eether. wrenched my knife from its
sheath. and IN my fury plunged II int
the man eaters body, gray ana chastity,
ale1gside Of me. The grim jaws re-
Taxed. their hold, and, dragging the aD-
parently llfeless form 10 the surface, !
bore it 10 the raft and cast myself down
beside her. There, while the wavss
swept over ~. whils the hns OF the
sharks hisSed and cleaned in the foam
ing waters. called to her. lent ever
her, pressed my lips to hers.
Then, overcome by fatigue and de-
SPAR, I.Swooned 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 FERNS OF
men pass vaguely before ME. and by
my slde-yes. there aliye-sat one whom
had thought no longer hying.
Her shining eyes Locked into mine
again, and then she told me Of our res
cue from the waves. Tha 1ight had
passed, and now the dawn n10 come.
and with. Its coming the futtering e
sails and the rafting Of anchor chan
informed Us that a port was reached
1t was that of Grand Cayman. to the
southeast OF Isle q Pineas Q neutrAl
mort, and We were safe. :
we were married that day at noons
ana thus was achieved the consumma-
tion Of our happiness. And the captain
Of the bark. who himself had taken
olivia from the raft, said eolemnly 40