Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-07-17

There are those whose lives can be let
for spared; let them 60. Let me go.
Eob;an. think of that old man at home"
CIV dear fellow, don't be in such hur.
." sovs FABIAN, lightly. "Tbose poor
eoI,ovs below have wives and families
donending on them, and no one implores
them not to go; will take my chance
To turns abruptly aside, and springins
dun from the rock where he has been
standing. finds himself again OIL the beach.
To il hurrying once more toward the boat,
which having sustained some slight in
;uries in its last attempt, is not quite sea-
worthy. but requires some looking after
by the men before they can start afresh,
when he is stopped by the pressure of two
soft hands upon his arm.
Turning, he looks into Portals eyes. She
Is baggard, CHASTITY in her palor, but I'M
vneakably beautiful Her fair hair, hay
ing come undone, is waving lightly IN the
tempestuous wind. Her lips are parted.
"You nre not going out there" she
savs. pointing with shudder to the tu-
! multuous waves, and speaking in tone
20 full of agony and reckless misery that
II cbills him. "You shall not! Do you
hear? Fabian, Fabian, listen to me!'
If is 20 dark and wild that no one can
see her; no ears but his can hear. She
filings herself in passion Of despair upon
her knees before him and encirces him
with her arms.
"My darling! My best beloved, stay
with mew she cries, wildly. Hate me-
spurn me-live!-live! that sea will tear
Won from met will kill"
Stooping over her, with very gentle
movement, but with determination, he I'M
clasps her clinging arms and raises her
to her feet.
"You must not kncel there on the wet
sand" he says, quietly; "and forgive me
IL remind you of it, but you will not
care TO remember all this tomorrow"
II shall not remember it tomorrow"
replies she, in a strange, dreamy tone,
her hands falling ncrvcless at her sides.
She docs not seek TO touch or persuade
him again, only gazes earnestly up Mt him
through the wretched mist that enshrouds
them. with face that is as the faces OF
the dead.
Uaon his arm is shawl one of the
women below (he is very dearly beloved
in thu villagel had forced upon him an
hour ago. He is bringing it back now to
return it to her before starting, but, n
thought striking him, he ur.iolo5 1t, and
crosses it over Portals BOSOM.
Zone of the women dotn ,here lent 1t
to me-" he says, coldly stu. but kindly
Return it to her wher. YOU can"
With little passionate gesture she
filings it from her, letting it lie on the
ground at her feet
at is too late--the GOODNESS Of death is
upon me-" she says, vehemently. linen,
in an altered tone, Gained by despair, she
] whispers, slowly, "Fabian, if you will die
! forgive me frst!"
'Tf there is anything to forgive, l have
! done so long ago. But there is nothing.
SIS there nothing in the thought that
love you, either? Has not this knoWi'
edge power to drag you back from Inc
graveW
81 love you low as l never loved you,
returns he, with sudden, eager passion
Her arms are round his neck, her head IS
thrown back, her lovely eyes, almost ter
rible now in their intensity, are gaz'ha
into his. Instinctively his arms are around
her-he bends forward.
A shout from the beach! The boat Is
launched, and they only await him to 60
upon their perilous journey. When death
is near, small! things grow even less.
"They call me-" he murmurs. stralnlna
her to his heart. Then he puts her little
away from him, still holding her, and
looks once more into her large, fearless
eyes. IF life on earth is done" he says
solemaly, "then in heaven. my soul, We
meet again.
He lays his lips on hers.