The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-09-05

IlulS buc WcdituleSt anu HOSt uo-
voted of her admirers. She de-
murred. She told vane plainly that
she should never love again; but he
was deeply infatuated, and would
risk anything for the sake of pos
sessing her
SO they were married.
Mr.. Vane's wife was the envy and
admiration o. all the country round
about Templemore. Her house was
a palace-everything about 1t was
superb in its appointments; she had
not a wish ungratified, and her hus-
band was as devoted as lover.
But Geraldine never varied from
the cold stateliness, which had fallen
on her like a mantle at the altar.
Often and often the kind, honest
heart of her husband ached for one
loving word from the cold lips whose
kisses he would have died for; but
he was true to his agreement--he
never complained, and he did not try
to force her love.
TIhen her child-her beautiful lit
tie Annie-was born, she softened
toward her husband in some slight
degree The new and wonderful hap
piness which motherhood brought
her made her kinder to the father
of her child. And poor Vane was
raised TO a felicity altogether un-
known to fim when she put the little
girl in his arms and suffered him to
kiss the white cheek he had dared
draw to rest against his shoulder
AS Annie lived and developed char
acter, she was the strangest of all
children. Old far beyond her years,
lovely in face and gentle in temper,
full of quaint sayings, and caring for
no playmate but her mother.
AS Geraldine sat there on the sea-
shore, thinking over these things
have told you, something crept up be-
meath her shawl, in the timid, coax
ing way one sees sometimes in a pet
animal.
Mrs. Vane folded her arms around
the little creature, and kissed the up
turned white forehead.
What is 1t, my darling?" looking
down at the serious, questioning face
lifted to hers.
Mamma, tell me truly, is there
anything in d:eams?"
my love, do not bother your little
head with such idle things. Why do
you ask?"
Because, when you left me asleep,
mamma, l dreamed of sinking ships,
and shs.p rocks that tore the great
timbers apart. and then they went
down, down, down; and, oh! mamma,
heard tn, cries of the drowning
men. and I saw their dead. pale
faces, and papas among them! And
l screamed, and nurse woke me and
told me l had only been dreaming!"
In spite of herself, Geraldine shud-
dered. She was not in any degree
suDerstitious, but there was always
something about this child's weird
fancies which impressed one. She
side, and even as she did so, far off
over the waters came the dull boom
of gun.
at is the ship! And they will be
drowned" cried Annie, starting up.
"See, see! 1t is on fire, and 1t is
floating in on the rocks below Egg
stone light"
The child spoke truly. A great
ship--an ocean steamer-wrapped in
flame and smoke, was drifting shore
ward. A projecting point OF land
just then hid the steamer partially
from view
Annie sprang forward down the
rocks Ike a cat, from one rock to
another, until she was yards from the
shore, and the incoming Eide, now
growing fierce and angry. was beat
ing around her. Geraldine followed
with terror in her heart.
Drenched with spray. the child
was clinging to pointed rock, lean
ing over wit wild, fascinated eyes
fixed on the burning ship.
1T is my dream over again.' she
said, solemly.
Geraldine gathered the child in heI
arms, and all unmindful that the
| tide was cutting them hopelessly of
from the shore, she watched the fated
ship.
One mass of lurid flame, hei
scorching sides hung with fated hu
man beings; even there she could
hear their vain cries for assistance.
Suddenly the blazing hulk reeled
and shuddered; for an instant the
| flames seemed to die away, and the
smoke lowered its blood-red banner
then all waters for fathoms around
seemed to scintillate with liquid fire,
One fearful plunge forward the shiI
gave, one cry of mortal despeir wen
up to the black heavens, and the tide
rushed in like squadrons of white
horses, each eager to win the race!
1t was all over and the waters Were
full of despairlng, dying men fight
ing vainly sor that which was lost Il
them foreyer-l'fe.
Toward the rock where Geraldine
and her child still chung, drifted on
of the ill-starred vessels passengers
One arm disabled by blow from
some of the burning rigging. he wa
fast losing strength to battle with tn
waves, and death was very near him
The woman tore off her silken scar
and flung 1t toward him. Fate per
mitted him to catch it, and she DIRE,
him to the rock!
1t was yet light enough to zee, an
on that narrow shelf of rock, CROWN
narrower every moment, for the fira