The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-26

my father shall sleep in Toms room
SO you need not feel lonely. while shall
keep the fire blazing brightly all night
win you try and sleep, Ellie?"
He drew her gently down the cliff in
to the pretty parlor that was called her
room, and as he had said, took her in
his arms and sat down in the rocking
chair he himself had made for her, and
in his clear, sweet voice began a low
hymn. His soothing tones stilled the
tumult in Eleanors heart; the sobs
ceased, the tears no longer trickled
down her cheek, and presently The
weary, swollen eyelids closed softly,
and her quiet. regular breathing told
him she slept. Laying her carefully
upon the couch. Walter went back to
his father, who stood with bowed head
and folded arms at the foot of the cliff.
Have you any hope, fatheri" he
asked ctlmly.
| Yes, my son, the hope that depends
upon prayer. Heaven knows how
have poured out my soul in petition that
help may come to you. Joyfully, gladly
would ! propose that the price of your
safety might be my own worthless life
am content if the ship will come to
take your two fresh young hearts to
human companionship, though myself
may never set foot upon the land of my
birth. have so much hope, Walter"
You talk SO lightly of your life it
grieves me deeply. What it has been
know not; you have never told me, but
that it is now our greatest consolation
and joy, feel more deeply than words
can say"
Some time, Walter, you shall know
all. Perhaps it is selfish in me that I
would hide the past TIL the last mo-
ment. 1t vii not be long before you
will understand everything. Go in
now, and leave me to tend the fire"
q mo, indeed" was Walters decisive
reply. Il am young and strong, fit for
night watches. Besides, Eleanor is
restless and nervous; when she wakens
you can best comfort her"
The last suggestion overruled his de-
termination, and Mr.. Vernon went back
to the house.
What eager eyes scanned the empty
horizon when morning broke over the
sea- What dispirited faces gathered
round the breakfast tablet What list
less melancholy peryaded the whole
dayl
Without a word of explanation, Just
before nightfall, Walter went to work
and gathered fresh pile Of brushwood.
Mr. Vernons head was bowed upon his
hands, and he did not notice the move
ment; but Eleanor followed sadly. and
pointing to the charred. blackened
rock said mournfully:
1T is like our hopes, our lives, Wal
ter"
Walters liIs quivered He would
not show the weakness to her, but leap
ing lightly upon the rock began to ar
range the wood. Heedlessly his eye
fell upon the distant sea, and 10! a wild
transport dashed off his black look of
despair; an eager light irradiated his
eagle eye.
Saved! savedp shouted he, reeling
into the arms of the astonished Flea
nor, weeping like girl
She thought him crazed and shrank |
back in terror. Recovering himself, he
cried earnestly:
THE ship is there-she is coming. I
Oh. Ellie, we are savedp
When Eleanor at length comp-e-
hended his meaning. she bounded for
ward to the rock, and satisfied that it
was indeed a large ship masts, hull
and all plainly visible-she flew like a
frantic creature to Mr.. Vernon. and
ainging her arms around his neck,
sobbed herself in transport of delight.
Walter had grown more calm. and
fastened to state the joyful intelligence
clearly. Mr.. Vernon took their hands
and solemnly lifted his eyes upward
Never came prayer more thrillingly
from the innermost soul than rose en-
he twilight air from that lonely island.
Now then. we must work, Walter
said his father quietly Might is close
1t hand. and the reef is dangerous.
-hink you and / can get poor Toms
,anoe out into smooth water and warn
hem from the sunken rocks At such
/ time as this Eleanor will not shrink
70 be left alone to tend faithfully the
beacon light. Our preservers muss not
suffer for obeying our signal of dis
.ress."
Walter was already on his way to the
beach. The experience of the last few
lays had swept away all trace Of boy
shness. With the firm, elastic tread of
manhood he dashed down to
he boat. A sigh went out to the mem
Try Of him whose hand had last secured
he rope Of bark. but the eagle eye was
liked steadfastly on the outer sea-and
his was time for action and not for
His father, with some
hing Of youths vigor, leaped to his
iide, carrying bunch of the knots they
lad long ago prepared for evening IL
umination, the fame of one among
hem streaming up sickly and pale In
he waning daylight.
What wild, exultant hopes. whas sad
bitter memories stirred those two tu-
nultuous hearts-who shall say? But
he oars were piled in silence and 81