The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-22

1ssaa v hi v hH2hlH3 23H8MHII only blowin' bit. and high tide run min against the wall. we'm used to 1t. and Dowsett. 'Tis ailus like this with gale from the sou'-east. I'll stop up that hole. lest the cold get you" s-
 She rose to her feet and proceeded to move small table against the window On this foundation she placed large trunk. and covered 1t over with an old piece of carpet, The barrier was effect i've enough as q makeshift. Laura watched her with wondering eyes. Her mind was too feeble to grasp details: and she had not the slightest idea ot the danger which threatened the house and all its occupants. She only knew that there had been a draught and that Mrs. Dowsett had supplied a reni- edy.
 will Zee have q drop of hot milk 7'' said that worthy woman, as she resum : ed her seat by the bedside. .'sTwili be time for medicine in an hoa-.
 No" murmured Laura impattenEly. "No If ! could only sleep. I was so happy when slept"
 'eTwiI be medicine time in an hour" Mrs Dowsett replied, and then you'll sleep again. dearie."
 Laura turned over on her side. and began to cry quietly. It WIS the help less sobbing Of an 4xhausted chtld. without strength or oasston.--a mere whisper ,pitiful to listen to.
 Hush. hush." said Mrs. Dowsett. speaking as she mightshave spoken to a child. You're in good hands, miss. and don't let the storm worrr you. 'Tis only a great noise, such 3s a dog makes when he barks. ,Twon't bite"
 T wish I could die" moanei Laura. She was not thinging of the storm which beat against the house. but of the storm which had wrecked her own life. The absence of John Shil was proving on her mind. In her weak ness she saw in him the only strong and trustworthy thing in life She longed for the touch of his hands for the sound of hts voice. for even the sight of him.
 'Don'tee talk like that. miss. saia Mrs. Dowsett sterniy. eTis temnti,, Providence.sWho has said that in inc midst or life we are in death"
 TO Laura the words were only commonplace sentiment She did mi know. as the speaker knew, how an- proprfate they were at a ti,ns when death was knocking, ay. thandering. at the door of the house.
 There be much for all of us to do in the world" Mrs. Dowsstt continued. and not 'nuff time to do it. Even in Con'sea there be things to do. I'm old missie. and take things quietly, but there was time when was hot-blood- ed and over-full of pride, and 1t seemed hard to suffer. But the Lord. He broke me. and twas all for good But there, dearte. don't trouble your head bout such things. You lie still and think of sunshine. Twill come after the storm, sure huff. twill come"
 Tt will never come." whispered Laura softly. What can you know of sin here in ConaseaT'
 "Sin?" echoed Mrs. Dowsett harshly; 'ay. what should know of sin. here in Con'sea, save the Lord chastens sinners and 'tis all for good"
 Laura was silent, but the words had sunk deeply into her mind. It Is true | that she had only sinned in thought, but for all that she had suffered. | Of a truth God had chastened her. After a few minutes silence there was a grinding crash from the back | of the house: then the door leading l into the next room opened slightly | and Dowsett beckoned to his wife.
 'Tll be back in minute. dear." she said, as she rose to her feet. "Dowsett | vents me"
 | Il snaA pc all FASht' Lau uia hePio~ | faintly.
 1 Mrs. Dowsett entered the other bed 1 room and closed the door. Her hus- band stood among a pile of chairs with lantern in his hand. There was a | look of anxiety on his rugged face. 1 "She'm come to her senses?" he re- | piled. Give her some of that sleepin | stuff. l doubt if the house holds anoth- | CT ten minutes. One of the uprights has given at the back, and there's three l feet of water down below
 "Tide'll turn soon." muttered Mrs l Dowsett, and 'tis a good wall"
 "Oh. ay, the wall will hold. But the seas topped 1t by moren foot and the waves are comin' over 1t by four foot in places. If we was bit closer to l 1t. we'd have been washed away like one of them castles children build ip