The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-11-15
STORM AND STRESS
BY MRS. Nj. L. RAYNE.

thrown helpless and at the mercy Of
wind and wave into the trough of the
sea by the breaking Of a 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 Che had a sudden contempt for
the cowardice Of the occasion) at
least let US def die we must-like
men
ut is not for myself I fear, Walter,
but for Miriam; she is 50 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. If 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
RAM will be widow, yet no wife. 1t
will be cruel disappointment Of her
plans for our happy lives. Walter, if
you alone are saved tell her that she
must learn to forget me. Her sweet
young life must not be darkencd by
unhappy memories. Promise me-"
Something like a sheer distorted
Walter Dicksons face; he said with
bitter emphasis:
You have been blind, Edgar, blind
as q mole. With eternity in view |
must tell you the truth Come below
with me. If we are to die in this
storm l 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 tempcst-tOssed in the
midnight blackness of the tempestuous
lake, q 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 scanped
the white face bending above her
You have not slept, and tomorrow
is your wedding day! Miriam, you
viii LOOK Ike a ghost"
do you hear the Storm" cried Mi
riam wildly. IF it RACES SO on land,
how much worse it must be on the wa
s@sazsld Edgar is crossing tonight in
the face Of this storm"
Miriam, said Margaret, gently,
"knoel here and let us say a prayer
Il have been praying prayed every
minute this night. I hope God will
hear me and send the boat on which
Edgar is coming to the bottom of the
lake!"
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. "Sleap
again, sister, | am sorry | disturbed
you. My 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 mad gone
down N midlake with all on board.
Years had passed. Margaret had
married wealthy sutton, and Miriam
spent part of her time with her. a
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 !
a mistake that she had cared for him. /
save as a friend. Margaret never no. I
Iced the words of the little song so
iften on Miriam's lips:
How could I know | would love
When l loved thee not anear?"
lucy NOiCeu IHe cry or Miriam I
soul She loved Edgar affair.
The family-incIuding Miriam-was !
giving a house party before closing
their summer home on the banks of |
the lake. AS a closing entertainment |
someone suggested q masquerade and |
lire of driftwood, as the evenings
were cool. Miriam wore a mask and |
domino. On accoun; of the temper.
AZURE the driftwood fire was the first
attraction. A Hindu uttered the |
prophecies, while others fed the flame. |
4 see," he said, oracularly. "a sink |
ing steamer. The men-comrades- !
are with others upon it's deck"
oh, this is shameful-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 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 iust diad IIa /