The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-06-20
"A SEA
WRATH
., ARTHUR ". BREWSTER

UoOh Os anu uOthn0 my MsCthuuO = u0vO
known several vessels to be wrecked
on It. One Of these wrecks, occurred
when was young man, and It had
q marked effect on my life that will
never be undone.
was at a very impressible age.
twenty. when there came up fright
ful storm. and went down to the
beach to see It'll lived about a mile
inland-and stood on q dune looking at
Il. There are some who love quiescent
scenes. soft skies, tranquil waters.
graceful trees, unmoved even by q
breeze. To me the most beautiful
scenes are the fiercest. Standing there
facing the storm sweeping over the
ocean, rejoiced in the lashing the
tempest was giving It. Near by
wave would throw itself against a
rock, to be hurled back against the
next comber, the two standing q mo-
ment as II locked In q death grip, then
both falling as II each had taken the
strength out Of the other. Another
wave would tremble, break, its spray
shooting from its crest, and roll upon
the sand, scattering like q bursting
rocket.
But this ID not my story. The wind
went down with the sun, and full
moon rose. It's white disk looking
down coldly. as II It cared for neither
storm nor serenity. Near midnight I
was seized with desire to go down
to the ocean and see the quiet skies
above looking down on waters the
storm had left still rolling. What
brought this desire, why yielded to
Il, I know not. for must walk q mile
to the coast and mile back. had
gone perhaps half the distance and
could hear that interminable murmur-
ing Of moaning waters when saw
coming. lighted by the moon that stood
almost directly overhead, a figure
which by slight nutter Of Its gar
mentg knew to be woman.
Surprised that one Of her sex should
be out on the road at that time Of
night, fastened toward her to ask
her II could not attend her to where
she was going. As I approached her
I noticed an unsteadiness about her, q
rocking. attributed It to the fact
that I had looked 10 long during the
afternoon on the waves that their mo-
uon had affected my vision. Her hair
was loose and seemed to me to b
blown like the spray had seen. When
came near her she seemed drawn
away from me, then driven toward
me a. II pulled and pushed BY the
waves. Then within touching dis
tance of me she stood still, the whole
appearing to me like an object washed
ashore. finally passing beyond the
reach Of the waters.
But, oh. the pitiful look she gave me!
what Ia itT' asked, wondering.
"The wreck"
"What wreck?"
"The Mary Barton. She has just
come ashore"
"Come ashore! Why. the storm was
over six hours ago!''
"Yes, but It took the ships rudder.
They lost control She struck the reef
and went to pieces. Their bodies are
scattered along tho shore. Oh, It II
dreadfulv'
I started on. II must CO." said.
land see II can help"
"Help! They are all past help.
Don't 60. Don't desert me here on
this lonely road"
II will take you to your home; then
I will CO."
my homer The melancholy with
which she said this wrung my heart.
"Yes. Surely you cannot live far
from here"
She buried her face In her hands and
sObbed. Through sympathy put my
arms about her and drew her to me-
Then tried to take her hands away
from her face. she would not at hrst
permit me. but at last yielded.
Heavens, how cold you are" I OK
claimed. "Tell me whore you live tha'
I may take you home. where you MAY
warm yourself. It's dangerous for 20.
to be out In the chilly night with n,
thick clothes. And they are wet
Where can you have beenf"
She made no further reply to anything
I said to her-only trembled and wept.
II must take you to shelter" I said
Then will 60 to the shore and tr!
to save some Of those who have beeI
washed In from the wreck"
II will 90 back with you," she salt
suddenly.
Back with me! You 90 to see sucl
sights, cold and wet 40 you are?"
"Well, then. IN 90 on. Go to th'
shore, but 1t Is too late. All have pei
ished."
II seemed as II a wave carried bel
away from me. then brought her par
way back to me, only to take her ava,
again. this time to carry her farthe
than before. I stood spellbound. un
decided what to do, till one OF thos
invisible waves took her 30 far fron
me that saw her no more. stoo'
still and covered my eyes with M
hands. When I again saw what wa
about me there were merely the road
1 a n = A. \. 49,