The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-10-29
STORM AND STRESS
BY MRS. NJ. L. RAYNE.

vino ana wave into the trough or the
sea by the breaking OF part of the
machinery. The panic-stricken pas
sengers crowded the deck and impeded
the action of the crew. They screamed
and sobbed and prayed. One man
who stood apart from the others
prayed silently with hopeless agony
In his face. A friend with him
touched him ON the shoulder.
Cheer up, Edgar. we are not lost
yet" (he had sudden contempt for
the cowardice of the occasion) at
least let us die-if die we must-like
men"
1T is not for myself fear. Walter.
but for Miriam; she is so sensitive,
so loyal to those she loves it would
break her heart to have her lover
drowned like this on the eve of her
wedding She could never outlive
such a tragedy"
She would not be the only one left
to suffer. II we go down all these 9TH
ers perish with US. Think you, they
viii leave none to mourn their loss?''
his friend, Walter Dickson, responded.
Theirs are not parallel cases. Mi
riam will be widow, yet no wife, 1t
will be a cruel disappointment OF her
plans for our happy lives. Walter, IL
you alone are saved tell her that she
must learn to forget me- Her sweet
young life must not be darkened by
unhappy memories Promise me-"
Something like sneer distorted
Walter Dicksor's face; he said with
bitter emphasis:
You have been blind, Edgar, blind
as mole. With eternity in view |
must tell you the truth. Come below
with me. II we are to die in this
storm I shall ease your soul OF its
last fear. If we live you can prove
the truth of my words"
On the same night on which the
steamer with her precious human
freight, was tempest-tossed in the
midnight blackness of the tempestuous
lake, a young woman was walking the
floor of her room, wringing her hands
in impotent anguish as she listened to
the storm without. At last the strain
became unbearable, and she rushed
from her own room and sought that
of an older sister.
The older sister sat up and scanned
the white face bending above her.
You have not slept, and tomorrow
is your wedding day! Miriam, you
will look like ghost"
DO you hear the Storm" cried MI
riam wildly. "If it RACES so on land,
how much worse il must be on the wa
ter, and Edgar is crossing tonight in
the face OF this storm"
Miriam" said Margaret, gently.
"kneel here and let us say prayer"
Il have been praying-prayed every
minute this night. l hope God will
hear me and send the boat on which
Edgar is coming to the bottom of the
lakei"
Then it is true-I did not, would
not believe it! You did not love Ed
gar Ryerson and you do love his
friend, Walter Dickson?"
But Miriam turned away. sleep
again, sister, | am sorry | disturbed
you. Ny wedding day is dawning and
we shall soon know whether God has
answered my prayer"
A brief line in the morning paper
told the story. The boat had gone
down in midlake with all on board.
Years had passed. Margaret had
married a wealthy suitor, and Miriam
spent part of her time with her,
pale, silent girl, absolutely devoid of
interest in life. For whom was she
mourning? She declared that it was
not for Walter Dickson, that it was all
mistake that she had cared for him,
save as friend. Margaret never no
ticed the words of the little song SO
often on Miriam's lips:
How could I know l would love
thee afar
When loved thee not anear?"
They voiced the cry of Miriam's
soul. She loved Edgar afar.
The family-including MiriamLwas
giving a house party before closing
their summer home on the banks of |
the lake. AS closing entertainment
someone suggested a masquerade and
fire of driftwood, as the evenings
were cool. Miriam wore a mask and
domino. On account of the temper |
ature the driftwood fire was the first |
attraction. A Hindu uttered the |
prophecies. while others fed the fame.
Il see," he said. oracularly, "a sink
ing steamer. The men-comrades-
are with others upon its deck"
"Oh, this is shaIneful-stop him."
cried Margaret, but her husband whis-
pered something. and she waited, edg-
ing near Miriam, who in her attitude |
might have been a statue
The friend is telling him a lie, but
he believes it, and when they two /
are saved by a miracle of the waters
he goes with him and makes no sign.
He believes that his love is faithless."
The flames shot up blue and green,
and the Hindu looked about as If seek
ing inspiration.
The false friend has just died. He
told the truth at the last. But he was