The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1904-02-06

AoNA steamer crossing one of .hc
Y great lakes III Il night of
Q ~ Q sudden tempest was
- thrown helpless Mt the
~oN mercy of wind and wave
into the trough of the sea by the break
ing of ,art of the machinery. and 1t
was feared by the panic-stricken pas.
sengers-and with just reason-tlIat
the hour of doom approached. They
crowded the deck and iElpedcd the
action of, the crew. They screamed
and sobbed and prayed. One man who
stood apart from the others prayed ST
lently with hopeless agony on his
face. A friend with him touched him
on the shoulder =
"Checr up, Edgar. we are not lost
yet" The had sudden contempt for the
cOwardice of the occasion) "at least
let us die-if die We rlust-likc men"
1T is not for myself l fear. Walter.
but for Miriam: she is so sensitive. 80
loyal to those she loves; 1t would break
her heart to have her lover drowned
like this on the eve of her wedding.
She could never outlive such a trlg-
edy"
'She would not be the only one left
to suffer. II we go down aIl these.
others perish with us. Think You. they
will leave none to mourn tier loss?"
his friend. Walter Dickson responded
Theirs are not parallel cases.
Miriam. will be a widow, yet no wife.
1t will be cruel disappointment of
her plans for our happy lives. Walter,
II you alone are saved tell her that che
must learn to forget me. Her sweet
young life must not be darkencd by IN
happy memories. Promise me-"
Something like sneer distorted Wal
ter Dicksons face: he said witt bitter
emphasis:
You have been blind. Edgar. blind
MS mole. With eternity In view l
must tell you the truth. Come below
with me. II we are to die in this
storm shall ease your soul Of its Inst
fear II we live you cun prove the
truth of my Words "a
He led his dazeG and distra cted
friend through the tempest and confus-
ion. dragging him by. main force to the.
uncertain shelter of the deserted ca bin.
and God alone knows whether his mo-
tive was that of sincere friend or
the madness and triumph of sinister
nature. But what he told had at least
tie awful merit of truth.
On the same night on which the
steamer with her precious human
freight was tempest-tossed in the mid
night blackness of the lake. q. young,
woman was walking the floor, OF her
room, wringing her hands in impotent
anguish us she listened to the storm
without. Her face was pale md worn.
her eyes giittered with feyerish ex-
element. Every muscle was tense.
and atSlast the strain became, unbcar-
able, and she rushed from her own
room and sought that Of an Older sis
ter. who was, sleeping calmly and pro-
foundly. Fs5 s2
"Margaret.r she called, and shook
the sleeper lightly.
miriam? What is It? Net. time to
rise. surely? Have you not slept? ?" q
mo. no. how could I? Do you not
hear the Storm. 1t is awful! cannot
sleep" - =.
The elder sister sat up and. scanned
the white face bending over, her.
you have not slept. and tomorrow,
ia your wedding day! Miriam. you
will look like gbost.';
do you hear the Storm" cried
Miriam wildly. "If It RACES no. on land,
how much worse 1t must be on the
water, and Edgar is crossing tonight
in the face of this storm"
Miriam said Margaret gently.
s'kneel here and let us say prayer"
II have been praying prayed every
minute this night. hope God will
hear me and send the boat on which
Edgar Is coming to the bottom Of the
lake!'
Miriam! Sister, you are crazed. Do
you know what you are saying? That
you are asking God to destroy the boat
that is bringing your lover to you:"
Eyes. yes-that is what I mean. !
would be glad II they came and told
me that he had gone down. and was1
free-free-freew
Her voice rose to pathetic shrek
that blended with the wniling wind
and died out in a moan.
"Then It y true-I did not, would