The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-02-19

EHMS: Six Months 80 cents.
then apprised me that few still sur
vived. Suddenly fash of lightning
revealed at my side, and almost within
reach, something white and very like
human form. One swift stroke and I
had seized the object, and knew by the
long flowing hair that it was q woman.
She was alive, but in q semi-conscious
condition, and, strangest of all, was
equipped with life preserver.
OF the struggle for life with the mad
waters, of hours spent Id battling the
waves until utterly exhausted; how I
almost gave up in despair time and
again; it is not my purpose to tell here.
Suffice it to say that after what seemed
an age Of anxious exertion the storm
ceased as suddenly as it began; one by
one the stars came out and the moon
shone clear and bright. This was our
salvation, for now I was enabled to
distinguish the shore line in the dis
tance. With the desperation born of
despair, ! swan in that direction, and
when utterly exhausted, and having
consigned my soul to my maker, I felt
my feet touch the sands of bar and
1 knew that we were saved.
x*xx So
Six weeks later in large, roomy log
n n n in n mo- dn II IN,
armchair, with pillows all about me,
and once again gazed into that interest
ing and beautiful face which had so
signally attracted my attention on
board the Grey Eagle that fateful day
in August. Yes, it was the same face
and yet not the same. The troubled
look had disappeared from the eyes;
the lips were smiling and rosy; perfect
health and happiness were written upon :
every lineament.
During my convalesence papers had
reached us with news of the loss of the
boat with all on board. Being in an
unfrequented section, the news of our
escape was slow to reach the cities.
had listened with mingled pity and
contempt to the life story of my fair
companion. Pity for her and contempt
for the father who would shield him
self behind the love of his offspring.
Her mother had not survived the or
deal of her birth. Yet her early years
were full of happiness and contentment.
Her father gratified sher every wish and
devoted his life to her happiness. So
it was until her eighteenth birthday.
On that day her father brought home
with him and introduced to her the
man who had been her companion on
board the boat. This person seemed to
exert some subtle influence over her
parent, and was very attentive to her.
Days passed and his attentions became
more persistent and devoted, aItho
without any encouragement on her
part. Finally he proposed marriage
and was promptly refused. It was here
that the weakness of her parent was
manifested. He came to her and with
tears and entreaties implored her to
save him from ruin and disgrace. She
worshiped her old, grey-haired father,
and being heart free, finally consented
to offer herself as living sacrifice
upon the altar Of filial devotion. They
were married on the day of he'disaster !.
and were just embarked upon their
wedding tour. At the time of the
storm, they, like myself, had soup't
relief from the heat by repairing to 9
deck, and upon her almost chile b
terror at the sudden approach of the
storm he had sought to reassure her by
investing her with life preserver.
All this she told me and more. l
told her of the great spring of love that
had welled up in my heart, and, as it
flowed on, like stream gained force
mighty river that nothing could quench.
1 poured forth my love until it flooded
her soul, caught her heart in q very
ecstasy Of joy and finally gave it into
my keeping. She gave me her little
hand, and with glad light in her eyes
looked into mine with trustful conf
dence that filled me with joy.<
Then the silence of the evening was
disturbed by the savage barking of q
dog. We could hear our host open the
cabin door and bid the dog be quiet.
Through the half open door Of our
apartment could see the form Of
stranger as he entered. He was pale
and emaciated and appeared to have
just recovered from long illness.
AS he turned his face to the light, I
recognized the man with the livid scar.
He had come to claim his bride.
= s. G. B. NJ.