Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1902-03-27

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CHAPTER XIII.
The Wild scene that meets her sight
strikes terror TO her heart. The mad
roaring OF the waves that, mountains
high, rush impctuously inland 10 dash
themselves 10 pieces against the granite
rocks; the cries OF the women; the hoarse
calls Of the men; the flaming, restless
torches that ding weird light upon the
picture; all serve 10 unnerve her.
And now a shout from the beach, A
dark object being dragged forward.
valiant cheer. perhaps meant TO reach
those miserable souls lowering on deaths
brink, and 10 give courage TO their falling
hearts; II Ia the life-boat, and now
A tall figure has suddenly become
prominent; he seems 10 tower above all
those around him. He II evidently adj
dressing them with passionate words, and
now he springs into the boat, and with
renewed eioquence seems to compel those
present 10 follow him. His voice, In It's
yehemence, rlsea even above the storm.
Not that the stricken girl crouching with
In the shelter OF her rock needs that tes-
timcny 10 know that II Is he whom her
soul ioyeth.
Vera staggera TO her feet and stares
blindly into the seml-darkneea. A hearty
cry goes up from those crowded together
on the beach. The mists hare cleared
away from the moon. and she can see
as well rs those eager watchers that the
i've black spots that were upon the rig
ging are no longer there.
They have been successful, then, so
far. They have taken those FIVE half
dead creatures into the blessed lifeboat.
Surely, II the rescuers could 20 through
such sea In safety. they can return.
A blessed relief comes TO her, so sharp
~, 70 unpreparediy, that she almost gives
way beneath II. The good ship, indeed.
Is gopel Where the black, indistinct mass
stood a minute since. now all Is bare
there Is but sea and sky, aud the memory
OF Ill But the lifeboat still lives.
Every onward dash Of the tempestuous
waves drives the lIfeboat the more sure
ly Into shelter. until at last 1t touches
ground. A hundred eager hands are
stretched out to prevent the returning
wave from carrying II backward. some OF
the men. more adventurous than the rest,
fush into de nurglng tide up 70 their
| waists and seize the boat aud drag Il for
cibly Into safety.
Dysart, springlng to land, helps out the
rescued men, now exhausted by fear and
exposure--one OF them. indeed, has faint
ed--but there are kindly arms open to
receive them and kindly voices to bid
them welcome-and to praise the God OF
sea and land Tor their delivery from
death this night.
With hurried wave OF the hand he
turns abruptly away from the cheering
crowd and the dancing torchlights, and
makes his way through the heavy dark.
ness toward the small pathway that will
lead 10 the road above. Stumbling, un.
certain, and feeling altogether exhausted,
he nevertheless finds II, and puts out his
hand TO grope for the rock that he knows
stands at the right side OF 1t, where the
beach commences.
Good heavens, what Is this? He
, starts violently, and then his fingers fast.
en- with almost convulsiye energy over
the small cold hand that has been thrust
Into his. A sharp little cry breaks
through the darkness. and then the cold
hand is hurriedly withdrawn. and two
arms are thrown round him, and cling to
him with passionate vehemence.
"It is you-youI And you are safsl
Oh, Seatonl Oh, thank heaven, thank
heavenw
Whose voice is itl Not vera'si yerai
and yet the clinging arms are warm. liv.
Ing, and genuine; the sobbing voice Il
r.aI. . s,aau dxshavafad kaaA a.. - -
to him--veryl What has happenedi Has
he gone madf
He is ghastly pale, white as the death
from which he has but Just now so mar
rowly escaped, and across his right tenn.
pie there Is a slight streak Of blood, still
wet. This adds to his pallor. Vera, see.
ing It, shudders violently, and involun-
tarily, almost unconsciously, lifts her
hand, and presses her handkerchief to
the wound.
Speak, says he. and now the word
Is a command. 1t rings sharply. There
ls very anguish Of doubt In his tone,
and his eyes, burning into hers, are 50
full OF desperate question, that they ut
terly unnerve her.
The strain of the past terrible hours
has been too severe, and now she sinks
beneath It. She bursts into tears.
"oh, yes, yes, yes!" she cries, giving
him thus vaguely the answer he requires.
In a moment his arms are round her,
crushing her against his heart. To him
those incoherent words are full Of sweet.
est meaning. Yes. she loves him. Who
shall tell the Joy this knowledge brings
him--joy that Is almost pain7
Daring, darlingp whispers he, softly
And then after little while. Il am too
happy. l do not know what to say. /
cannot speak" And then again, MAY
l kiss your
He does not wait for permission, but
presses his lips to hers-dear lips, that
kiss him back again, with honest, heart
felt gladness.
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