Smyrna times., 1915-10-27
STORM AND STRESS
BY MRS. N. L. RAYNE.

A steamer crossing one Of the great
laKes IN a night Of sudden tempest was
thrown helpless and at the mercy OF
wind and wave into the troush of the
sea by the breaking OF a part OF the
machinery. The panic-stric ken pas.
sengers crowded the deck and impeded
the action Of the crew. They screamed
and sobbed and prayed. Cne man
who stood apart from the others
prayed silently with a hopeless agony
IN MS taee. A friend with him
touched him on the shoulder.
Cheer up, Edgar. we are not lost
yet the had a sudden contempt for
the coWardice OF the Occas.On) at /
least let US die-if die we m.ist-like |
men,"
1t is not for myself fear, Walter,
but for Miriam; she is so sensitive. /
so loyal to those she loves; Il would /
break her heart to have her lover
drowned like this on the eva OF her
wedding. She could never outlive
such a tragedy"
She would not be the only one left
20 suffer. II we go down all these 9TH /
ers perish with US. Think you, they
will leave none to mourn their loss?"
his friend, Walter Dickson. responded. /
Theirs are not parallel cases. Mi.
riam will be a widow. yet no wife II
viii be a cruel disappointment of her
plans for our happy lives. Walter. II
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 a sneer distorted
Walter Dickson's face; he said with
bitter emphasis:
You have been blind. Edgar, blind
as a mole. With eternity in view
muBt 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. II 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, young woman was walking the
floor OF her room, wringing her hands
in impOtent anguish as she listened tc
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 a ghost"
DO you hear the Storm" cried MI
RAM wildly. ''If it RACES so On land
how much worse II 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 a 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
lakel"
Then It is true-I did not, would
not believe it. You did not love Ed
gar Ryerson and you do love his
But Miriam turned away. "SleeT
again, sister. am sorry / disturbed
you. Ny wedding day is dawning ant
we shall soon know whether God has
answered ny prayer"
A brief line in the morning papei
told the story. The boat had gon,
. down in midlake with all on board.
Years had passed. Margaret has
married a wealthy suitor. and Miriam
spent part of her time with her.
pale. silent girl. absolutely devoid o
"a interest In life. For whom was shl
mourning? She declared that II wa
" not for Walter Dickson, that twas al
, a mistake that she had cared for him
: save as friend. Margaret never nc
ticed the words Of the little song s
often on Miriam's lips:
How could know would Low
thee afar
When I loved thee not anear?"
They voiced the cry of Miriam
soul. She loved Edgar afar.
The family--including Miriam-wa
- giving house party before closin
their summer home on the banks {
the lake. AS o closing entertainer
someone suggested a masquerade an
a fire Of driftwood. as the evening
were COOL Miriam wore a mask an
domino. On account Of the tempe
ature the driftwood FIRE was the FRI
attraction. A Hindu uttered II
prophecies. while others fed the fam
Il see." he said. oracularly. "a sin
ing steamer. The men-comrades-
are with others upon its deck"
"0h, this is shameful--stop him
cried Margaret but her husband whi
pered something. and she waited. ed
ing near Miriam, who in her attitut
might have been a statue.
"The friend is telling him a lie. b'
= A.