The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-07-03
A SEA
WRATH
By ARTHUR W. BREWSTER

l live by the seashore. Indeed, l
have never lived anywhere else. There
is reef out about a mile from the
shore, and during my lifetime l have
known several vessels to be wrecked
on it. One of these wrecks occurred
when / was young man, and ii had
marked effect ON my life that will
never be undone
was at very impressible age,
twenty, when there came up a fright
full storm, and l went down to the
beach to see i'll lived about a mile
inland-and stood on a dune looking at
it. There are some who love quiescent
scenes, soft Sides, tranquil waters,
graceful treeS unmoved even by a
breeze. To tae the most beautiful
scenes are the bercest. Standing there
facing the storm sweeping over the
ocean, l rejofced in the lashing the
tempest was giving it. Near by a
wave would throw itself against a
rock, to be hurled back against the
next comber, the two standing a mo-
ment as if looked in death grip, then
both falling as If 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 a bursting
rocket.
But this is not my story. The wind
went down with the sun, and a full
moon rose, its white disk looking
e., ,o;+ l.
storm nor serenity. Near midnight l
was seized with desire to go down
to the ocean and see the quiet skies
abuse looking down on waters the
Htorm had left still rolling What
brought this desire. why 1 yielded to
it, know not, for must walk a mile
to the coast and mile back. had
gone perhaps half the distance and
could hear that interminable murmur-
ing of moaning waters when l saw
coming, lighted by the moon that stood
almost directly overhead a figure
which by a slight futter Of its gar
ments l knew to be woman.
Surprised that one of her sex should
be out on the road at that time of
night, l hastened toward her to ask
her If 1 could not attend her to where
she was going. AS l approached her
noticed an unsteadiness about her, a
rocking. I attributed 1t to the fact
that / had looked so long during the
afternoon on the waves that fheir mo-
tion had affected my vision. Her hair
was loose and seemed to me to be
blown like the spray had Seen. When
I came near her she seemed drawn
away from me, then driven toward
me as If 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 Is itF' 1 asked, wondering.
"The wreck"
What wreckY .~----..ro'>,,
"The Mary Barton. She has just
come ashore"
Come ashore! Why, the storm was
over six hours agov
1Cof pul IL bOOh lhC bL1AP AuOhSis
They lost control She struck the reef
and went to pieces. Their bodies are
scattered along the shore. Oh, 1t is
dreadfulw
l started on. Il must CO." l said,
land see If can help"
Help! They are all past help.
Don't go, Don't desert me here on
this lonely road"
Il will take you to your home; then
l will 60"
"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 l put my
arms about her and drew her to me.
Then l tried to take her hands away
from her face. She would not at first
permit me, but at last yielded.
Heavens, how cold you are" eS-
claimed. Tell me where you live that
/ may take you home, where you may
warm yourself. It's dangerous for you
to be out in the chilly night with nc
thick clothes. And they are wet
Where can you have been?"
She made no further reply to anything
said to her-only trembled and wept.
"I must take you to shelter" l said
"Then l will go to the shore and try
to save some of those who have beer
washed in from the wreck"
81 will go back with you," she sale
suddenly.
Back with me! You go to see sucf
sights, cold and wet as you are?"
"Well, then. I'll go on. Go to the
shore, but it is too late. All have per
ished."
1t seemed as IL a wave carried hel
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 | stood spellbound, un
decided what to do, till one of thos
invisible waves took her so far fron
me that / saw her no more. / stoo,
still and covered my eyes with m.
| hands Whan I aUt IN cau what Nua