The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-05-09
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
| Wildly shrieks the wind round the gran
| tie walls of Penrhyddyn, and the woods
below sough and groan- Out Of the gulf
like heavens dart streams of forked
flames, and the thunder rolls and crashes
with frightful din; and above the at
mospheric war rises the boom and the
roar of the angry waters.
1t is terrible night at sea heaven
help the ship that is near that iron-bound
coast Groups of men are upon the cliffs,
and among the rocks; some with faring
torches others with lanterns that dot
| the darkness with spots of light. ALI
eyes are turned Stewards.
There is a ship out yonder, / caught
sight of her b ythe last fash, and you
must all have heard the minute guns"
The speaker was Sir Launce Penrhyd-
dyn, and his son Arthur stood beside him.
Get out the lifeboat; ten pounds to the
man who is the first to volunteer"
I'VE must think of our own wives and
children at home Master Penrhyddyn,"
answered an old fisherman. No boat
could live for ten minutes upon that sea !;
| there's not a man here would venture il
| you gave him ten times ten pounds
Another glare of lightning. The small
black object is nearer. larger this time,
sunk into a gaping pit, and rising high
above. a lettering wall of wave threatens
it with instant humiliation. Again the
guns boom family, and the blaekness
closes over all.
Suddenly cry arises from the hither-
to silent group. By the fash of the light
ming all eyes behold the ship drifting with
terrible speed towards the shore; above
the voice of the winds and waters sounds
crash, and then long, wailing cry OF
many voices.
By the orders of Sir Launce, rockets
are lighted. Upwards they rush, leaving
fiery trail behind, and fall into the sea
the ropes are hauled backwards, but no
one is found clinging to them. Rendered
fearless by strong excitement, master and
servants venture down among the break
ers.
With blanched cheek, but fearless
heart, young Arthur stands beside his
father, the water streaming off his fair
hair. the salt spray almost binding him.
Quick bring here torch or Ian
term" suddenly exclaimed Sir Launce;
something had struck against his feet
more solid than the waves, and rested
there.
In an instant two lanterns and a torch
were upon the spot. 1t was something
human-looking: that was all they could
distinguish before dash of spray struck
the lanterns out Of the mems hands, and
washed out the light OF the torch.
Bear a hand. ard let US carry 1t up
on the cliffs cried Sir Launce, and, as
sisted by one OF the servants, lifted up
the body and scrambled with it up the
rocks.
Out of the reach of the waters they
laid it down and discovered two bodies in
stead of one-a woman, holding child
against her breast. In both, life seemed
to be utterly extinct.
The woman's face seemed cut and
bruised. and crimson marks still rested
there; but the child was apparently un-
toncBed. When the black hair that chung
round her features, was brushed aside,
the skin was white and spctless as mar
bile. They tried TO take her out of the
woman's arms, but they could not release
her from that conyulsive death-grasp
and so two servants laid the bodies upon
a litter and carried them away to the
nearest fisherman's hut
Down the rocks again went Sir Launce
and his son. and the remaining servants, |
70 seek for other poor wretches that the |
waves might drift upon the shore. But |
their labor was in vain; the sea disgorg- |
ed no more of its victims. Before return |
ing to the castle they stopped at the fish /
erman's hut whittier the woman and child |
had been conveyed. The woman had evil |
IDENTIFY been killed upon the rocks before |
drowning had taken place; her arms had |
90 stifened that they had difficulty in
releasing the child. To restore the lat
ter every known means had been used.
"Have you found any articles upon
them that might lead to their identity?"
inquired Sir Launce.
Nothing whatever" replied one of the
servants. "only this purse containing
and a mark on the child's
linen"
what mark 2
"The word 'Eleonore.'
Arthur started at that name. and
irew closer to the bed upon which the
BODY lay. In the contour of that young
ACE. framed by its jet black hair, he be-
leNtQ that ne Ntuiu NtdNS sAAOAS Ac- =
emblance to the portrait hidden away
n the turret chamber.
TAKE EN- away l won't have 'em
lere ~ cried shrill, querulous voice be-
lind him.
The speaker WAS an extremely old !
nan, with long white hair, Withholding
yes. and a face covered with a network
Il wrinkles. At his advance the two
Dung fishermen who had assisted to bring !
he bodies, drew back from the bed {
flake 'em awsyr' reiterated the old
nan yet more shrilly. IF you rob the |
ca of its dead, it will pay itself back at ,
our cost"
"Shame upon your idle superstition ~
Sir Launce, sternly. would
on commit an act of barbsrity that
-ould disgrace ssvages, for the sake of
ne wandering words of a madman?"
IL am no mailman" answered the old :
ian. turning his face full upon Sir
sunce. Because you are book-learned,
gu think you know all things; but l tell
on. and I've proved 1t. the drowned
nd the drowning always bring a curse