THE STORY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2026, 22 December 1892, Page 9

THE STORY.

NIGHT exceptionally wild and violent, when all the winds of heaven ecem to be at war with each other, their tumultuous voices deadening every other sound. Round Ladnor Manor they shriek and roar as if ravenIng for prey, tearing through

the shrubberies and dashing

themselves with passionate force against the bouse. Then come bursts of rain, wild as they are short, breaking madly against the window-panes and sluicing the terrace.

Down in the woods below the young trees bend like young twigs, and the stately elms bow so low beneath the blast that one marvels how they ever rise again. From the sea, away down there beyond the trees, comes the dull, ominous roar that warns the coastguard men to see to their rocket *pparatuß,and the lifeboat men to be in readiness, " for there's bound to be a wreck before tqmoirow dawns," is the grave prediction of many who are gazing seawards with doubtful faces and sad hearts. Louder and still lquder grows the tern* pest, while the heavy drops beat on the sodden ground, and the darkness ib. something terrible; hour after honr it rages without; ' sign of abatement until- the ear aches with the awful din.

Sara Beauchamp had dressed for dinner, and was walking restlessly about the drawing room which looked delicately cosy beneath the touches of lamps and firelight, and with the perfume of hot-house floweri hanging round it. A marked contrast indeed the 1 dainty comfort within and the fierce yelling of the storm without. But Sara's soul was more in unison with the angry tumult than the calm, and going quickly to one of the windows she drew back the curtains and gazing outward tried to pierce through the gloom. The storm still rages, but the rain has ceased, and in the murky sky a pale, sickly moon iB striving feebly to break a way through the dense clouds. Now and again a faint ray succeeds, but i 3 quickly swallowed up again by masses of vapour. Light twigs and even branches are flung by the wind against the windows, and once as Sara stood motionless, silent, awed, there came from far away a strange booming sound that even to her uninitiated ears seemed . horribly full of despair. Again, and yet agaiD, the weird sound reached her ears, until with an unknown dread falling upon her, she drew back from the window, the onrtain dropped from her trembling hands just as the door was flung open hurriedly, and her maid entered the room without ceremony.

"Have you heard, madam? Ob, it is dreadful I bftt I thought perhaps you would like to know what they are saying/ she cried excitedly. "Wel 1 , tthat is it Sophie?" asked the lady, going close to the girl, who was pale with fright. "It is a ship in great distress, madam, out there upon the rocks; they say now that there is hardly any hope for the poor oreatures on board."

"Bat you forget, there is the lifeboat," cried her mistress sharply, realising the awful nearness of death — and tuoh a death — upon those cruel rocks amid the seething hungry waves. "They are saying that nearly half the lifeboat's crew are down with the fever, and so they are trying to get volunteers ; but it is almost certain death for anyone to go," said the girl shivering, " and it isn't many will care to risk their lives. But Mr Rainsford »

"What of Mr Rainsford?" interrupted Sara, hastily. " What has Mr Rainsford to do with it 7 What do yon mean, girl 7 " and she grasped Sophie's arm so fiercely that the girl, alarmed at her lady's flashing eyes, shrank back in some dismay.

" Branby say*, madam, that Mr Rainsf ord was the] first to volunteer when the others were »U hanging back, and be has gone to the beach to see if they can get the boat out. but——" "That will do, you may go; but, stay! Bring my fur cloak here at once. Quick ! " "Bat surely, madam, you'll not venture to go out this dreadful " "My cloak, instantly,'.' cried "Sara, in so peremptory a tone that the maid dared say no more.

" Gone 1 and he may meet his death in that terrible sea," said Sara slowly when her maid had left the room.

" Ob, for but a few minutes that I may undeceive him. He must not die thinking me heartless ! "

Wrapping herself hastily in the heavy cloak she leaves the house and braves the terrors of that wild night. The moon is shiningnow with a pale watery lustre that only adds to the weird effect. The thunder still mntters overhead, and vivid flashes pierce the blackness: All. through the crashing of the storm that booming sound may still be heard, but only at longer intervals. Leaving the' wood, Sara runs panting and struggling against the gusts of wind, all but blinded by the flashing lightning, down the pathway leading to the beach below. The wild sGene that meets her sigbt strikes terror to her heart. The mad roaring of the waves that, mountains high, msh impetuously inland to dash themselves to pieceß against the granite rocks ; the cries of the women ; the hoarse calls of the men ; the flaming restlesß torches that fling a weird light upon the picture, all serve to unnerve her. Crouching close to a high rock far up on the beach she tries to see all that is going on before her.

There is a number of people collected near the sea, and by the aid of th.c vivid lightning flashes she can see- that the attention of every one is fooussed in one direction, to where, far out towards the Steeple rocks, a dark object can be seen indistinctly by the dnlj. light of the sickly moon, bat clearly enough wfcepever a brfght flash eboots athwart (be beayeps, Jn the shrouds, eljog-

ing to the rigging, Sara can see there are people who seem surely doomed to destruction. It seems horrible I Oan nothing be done ? In her agony of pity for those poor helpless ones Bbc loses sight of her own trouble. But there is a shout now from the beach I A dark object is being dragged forward, a valiant cheer, perhaps meant to reach those miserable souls hovering on death's brink, and to give courage to their failing hearts ; it is the lifeboat, and now a tall figure lias become prominent above those around him. He is evidently addressing them with passionate words, and now he springs Into the boat, and with renewed eloquence seems to compel those present to follow him. His voice in its vehemence rises even above the storm. Not that the wretched woman crouching within the shelter of her rock needs that testimony to know that it is he whom she loves.

Great Heaven 1 what was it Sophie had said 7 "Almost certain death 1" Oh, no, not that. Not this one man ! Let all the world go, but spare me this one creature, kind Heaven!"

Those miserable wretches, only five in number, but clinging for dear life to the ropeß out there are forgotten. The whole creation sinks away from her— only this man, Karl Rainsford, exists in the universe. There is a stir on the beach once more, a ringing cheer, a rush towards the boat, and a, piercing scream from some woman. There are voices upraised in every form of entreaty, expostulations, prayers, commands. A brilliant flash from above shows one girl hanging wildly ronnd a sailor's neck, as though defying him to cast her from him. She is taken away though by strong bands, and flung back, not untenderly, into the group of weeping women behind, Some of them, as though given over to despair, and hopeless of earthly help, fall on their knees and uplift their eyes to heaven. Sara, as if impelled to follow their example, slips upon her knees also, and flinging back the hood of the fur cloak that covers her, panting for air, she clasps her hands upon her breait. The wild wind catches the hair upon her forehead and scatters it loosely. Sbe tries to pray, but no thoughts will come ; her lips are dry, frozen, dumb. Yet her whole attitude, her entire mind, is surely one earnest, fervent petition. All pride has forsaken her, and she is conscious now of but one hope, that she may be j?iven the cbance of telling Karl all that her heart contains. Oh, to think that he may die and not know how passionately she loves him 1 But it is not true ; he will not die! Who are these people that his life should" be sacrificed, for them ? She struggles to her feet and stares blindly into the semi-darkness. How long she has been kneeling there in the sand she cannot tell, but now a hearty cry goe3 up from the crowd on the beach. The mists have cleared away from the moon, and she can see that the five persons in the ship's rigging are no longer there. Evidently they have succeeded in getting those half-dazed creatures into the lifeboat. Surely if the rescuers could go though suoh a seain safety they oan retarn, Hope is rising within her heart when a scream from some woman strikes like a knell upon her ears. "It is gonel Oh, great heaven, it is gone I " Sara, crushed, faint, starts from her hiding place and runs into the open space before her, as though eager to rush towards the' speakers. But the wind catches her, and beats her to her knees. Scarcely breathing, indeed scarcely conscious, the breath falling from her lips in diy sobj?, she lifts her head and. gazes out to sea. And then a blessed relief comeß to her. The ship indeed is gone. Where the black, indistinct; mass stood a minute since now all is bare. Bat the lifeboat still lives. To complete her hope a wild ory rises from the sailors on the land, a cry miDgledwith eloquent sobs and cheere and vehement outcalls. There is, too, a rushing, here and there as of expectation, for these people trained to all the sad and beautiful eights of the sea, understood it all long before Sara's inexperienced eyes could fathom the gloom. To her it seemed that no boat could live in such a mad, boiling, ungovernable sea, yet certainly those outcries aie full of triumph, and presently indeed it seems to her dull eyes that now on the forests of those awful waves and now deep down in the hollows ' between them a dark and struggling obfcot can bp seen. And now, now, it declares itself, land every onward dash of the teraDSStuous waves drives the lifeboat the more surely into shelter until at last it touohes ground.

A Lundred eager handß are stretched out to prevent the returning wave from carrying it backward?, come of the men more adventurous than the rest rush into the surging tide up to their waists, acd seize the boat and drag it f oroibly into safety. Karl Riinsford, springing to land, helps out the rescued men, exhausted now by fear and exposure, but there are kindly arms open to receive thorn, and kindly voices to bid them welconfe, and to praise the God of sea and land for their delivery from death. Rainsford is threatened with an ovation. Wild, almost frenzied, is the greeting he receives. The women presß ronnd him with hysterical sobs, and some fall upon their knees beside him. For has he not only rescued the shipwrecked men, but brought back to tUem in safety their brother?, husbanes, and sweethearts from fche very depths of that awful sea?

Worn out with the unaccustomed exertion, Karl Rainsford turns away from them, % or.ly stopping to give a last direction o; two about the half-drowned men.

!• Take them up to the inn," be said to an old sailor, " and tell Mrs Granton to prepare beds for them, and tell her, too, that I shall be responsible for all expenses. And all you ftllowa" (raising bis voice) " who so bravely fought through that sea with me^ to-night, go with these poor creatures to the inn, and tell the landlady to give you something to bring back the warmth to your limb?. To-morrow I shall have something more to say to yon." With a hurried " Good-night" he turned away from the cheering throng and the dancing torchlights, and made his way through the darkness towards the pathway,leading to the road above. Stumbling along, feeling utterly exhausted, he managed to find it, and pat out bis band to grope for tjty h.lgb ropk

that he knows stands at the right Bide of it, just where the beaoh commences.

The moon has quite gone now, and rain clouds, black as ink, cover the sky. Once more the storm is about to burst. Already great drops are falling, and he is beginning to think and feel confused, but Good heavens I what is this ? Ralnsford starts violently, and then his fingers fasten tightly over a small cold band that has been thrust Into his, A Bharp cry breaks through the darknesß, and then the cold Band is hurriedly withdrawn, and two arms are thrown round hlmj arid cling to him with passionate vehemence.' . -~ i

" Oh, Karil It is you, dear. Oh, thank God, yon are safe 1 "

Has he lost, his senses, or what 7 Who is this? The proud. woman who had scorned him? Can it really be Sara? Yes, the tremulous voice is 'hers ; the clinging arms are warm, living, ana genuine, and her beautiful head.with dishevelled hair, is close to him — very ■close I What, then, has happened? ; \*- /*; He cannot speak for the life of him, but he draws a long breath,. and then it seemed as, if new .Irfe dame into his veins. The "strength of "10 men entered into him, and, gathering the slender, trembling figure bodily into bis arms, he carried it over the rough shingles until he reached a smoother part of the road. Here he placed her on her feet, but still with his arm round her, and in perfeot silence they grope their way along the path ''and through the grounds. At l last the house is reaohed, and he leads her into the hall, the door of which stands ! wide open, and no servants there to meat them. Drawing her with quick, impetuous steps into the 'room Sara had left earlier in the evening he deliberately closed the door behind them. A brilliant fire blazed in the grate, and the lamps still burned cheerily. The sudden change from the dull blackness of the night outside to this warmly-lit room, with its delicately , perfumed atmosphere, was scarcely heeded. . For the first time he r«leasedher,at)d unfastening herfur cloak and hood he threw them on the ground. Plaoing his bands on' her «ho alders, he turned her face full to the light. " Now speak, B«fa," he said, in a hoarse voice, strangely unlike his own rich tones. Karl is ghastly pale — white as the death from which b.4 has. but just now escaped so narrowly; " Speak 1" he said again, and in a voice that rang Bharply through the room. " Let it be a decided yes or no this time, Stra ; for, as God is my judge, it is the last tftae I will ever ask the question." His tone. was full of anguish and doubt, and his dark eyes hashing full of desperate longing into hers completely unnerved her. The strain of the last few hours had been very terrible, and she burst into tears. . " Ob, Karl, it is yes I" she sobs out. And instantly his arms are round her, crushing her against his heart. To him that little " yes" was full of sweetest meaning. Yes, she loved him, and'the knowledge was a bliss so intense as to be well nigh a pain. . " My darling 1 " he whispered softly ; and, presently, "I am too happy 1 I cannot talk just yet," and he presses his lips to hers— sweet lips that kiss him back again with honest, heartfelt gladness. After a little while he speaks again. " Tell me this, Sara, why djd you treat me so defiantly when I spoke to you before ? " " I don't know, Karl. 1 really can't tell, bat " and she kisses him again ; " I know this, that I have loved you always, je3, always." " Well, sweetheart, that should be enough to satisfy any reasonable man," ho said with ! a smile,. " And the change from the horrible hopelessness to which, you condemned me before to this happiness is very great. To see yon, and to hold you hero against my heart," he stoops and kisses the lovely face with earnest but gentle passion. " Well, tbank God, you love me, so whatever happens after this I shall remain contented. 1 ' Sara lifted her head and looked at him curiously.- Something in his tone, and the sigh accompanying the words troubled her. " What is it Karl 7 What do you mean ? "

" Listen to me, Sara, what right have I to ask you to marry me ? You are rich, and I am comparatively poor. You are in a position to make a distinguished marriage, and "

" Ob, do not speak to me like that ! It makes mo feel ao if you had nob forgiven me for- that old old time I " and her lovely eyes fill with tears. "Surely you belong to me, and Ito you 1 Ob," half laughing, and biding her blushing fao.e on his breast, « do not say that you will not marry me 1 * " Bat Mt began Karl.

"No, no, I will bavenobutsl Are you doing this to punish me ! Ldon'fc deserve it, and I hoped you would be generous enough to, forgive me." . " My darling, what folly ! as if I had anything to forgive," he said tenderly. "If your love is mine lam contented. Do you think I should live now if I thought it was not ? "

" Well, you need not die," said Sara, " but it seems you want to sentence me to death, and all for paltry pride, because I cbanoe to have wealth enough to satisfy both. Oh, for shame, sir 1 "

" You are determined to take me then ? " he said softly. And then wjth passionate tenderness, " My own love, if you could only realise how thankful I am to be taken by you 1 " and he strained her fondly to his breast. • " Oh, Karl, how wet you are 1 ." said Sara, suddenly awaking to the fact that her lover was drenched. " Your clothes must be changed ab once or you will take your death of cold."

"Not I," with a toss of his handsome head. •' My heart is full of fire to-night, and that will ward off colds. Ban, d3rling, I forgot that you have been exposed to the storm on that wild beach, and should not have been detained by my selfishness. I will go now, and to-morrow, early to-morrow, I shall call, if only to assure mys elf that this is not merely a blissful dream,"

On the following afternoon Tessie made her appearance at Ladnor. " What a frightful night last night was," she exclaimed, throwing her hat on to a chair. " I scarcely got a wink of sleep with fright thinking that something might happen to you up here. It hasn't though," " Ob, no, we are all right, you see. Not ev,<m a chimney blown down," said Sara, Jaugbing.

"Dear me, you appear to be remarkably cheerful," said Mrs George, taking a good look at her. " You were not so amiable when t saw you last. What a changeable creature you are. I came oter expecting to find you miserable. Didnt tbe wreck last night frighten you?" " Yes, it was awful V* replied Sara with a shiver. " But I suppose you know that some of tbe poor thingß were saved?" , "We heard so, and by Karl. Why he la - turning put a perfect hero. I should think his noble action ought to melt your heart;" said Tessie meaningly. ■ Sara turned crimson.

*' Ob, I declare you are actually blushing 1" exclaimed Mrs George, beginning to get interested. " Well," she continued, " I should not be so. very muoh astonished if my prediction turns out correct." v, " I don't understand you, Tesaie," said Sara. > "Yes, you do." Then seriously, "Poo* Karl I his life has be*en shamefully spoiled, and I think it is very likely he was rather sony that he did not find a watery grave, and so end everything." " You should not say that, Tessie." "What nonsense) Why shouldn't I?" she answered smilingly, • " But tell me, did . you hear any particulars ? and did, you see Karl Rainsford after It was all over ? " " Yes, I did," in rather a curt tone/

She was wondering how she could tell her cousin without feeling too much ashamed of herst If. '

" You look very strange, dear," remcrked the provoking jouog woman. " Perhaps tho wreck upset your nerves. Did it 7 "

"No doubt," said Sara hurriedly.; "It tvaa awful to be there — waiting, watching, fearing that every wave would swallow him— them," correcting herself and flushing hotly, " Oh, it was horrible 1 " and she covered her face with her small white hands.

" Him\" echoed Tossie with surprised emphasis. " Look here, Sara, jit's no use trying to de> celve me. You may . as well tell me what has happened at once, for I shall not move from here until I bear all about it," and she looked determined. "But, Tessie, child I " cried Saia weakly.

"Rubbish! You forget I'm a* British matron now. Besides, if it comes to that you're very little older than I am, so please to address me respectfully. Child, forsooth I Now, go on at once. First, you were on tho spot watcbi&g for fear the waves should swallow him. Where wa« that spot, pray 7 The beach?"

"Yes," 1 replied Sara, hesitatingly. " What, at that' time of the night I And with such a fearful storm raging ? You did not go merely to see that Bbip in distress I Ob, no ; there was something more."

" Welt what? " asked Sara, with an at' tempt at defiance.

" Why, Karl Rainsford, ' of course," orieil the tormentor, triumphantly. "Ob, how could you attempt to hide it ? Ib it really true 7 " " Quite true, dearest." " Ob, Sara, lam so glad. But how did it all .come about ? " t " Well, you see, it was in this way. He was going out in the lifeboat with the other men to try and rescue those poor creatures, and I was down on the beach, and when I saw the raging sea, and then the few planks that stood between him and destruction, ob, Tessie, I thought I should have gone mad. And then, somehow, all at once I knew thae I loved him with all my heart, and then " ' ....

" Yes, dear, yes ; then — but what are you ■topping for? 1 ' cried Tessie, impatiently. "If there's anything I do enjoy it's a real love* affair. Net of the milk-and-watery kind, but a genuine soul-stirring romance. Well, of course you rushed at him and flung your arms round him, and begged him not to risk his precious life on the stormy ocean."

"Tessie, you are impertinent 1 " said Sara, half-laughing, half-inclined to be offended withvher.

" Not I," laughed the giil, " I only meant to help you along, that's all Ntver mind, I know you must have felt awful when you saw Karl going to perform that idiotic feat.? v

" Heroism is not generally spoken,about in that manner," said Sara, coldly.

*' Of cofirse not, dear. AH the same, mv oousin would have been' an idiot if be had fouad a watery grave last night. That is. considering all things." " Thaiik heaven, he didn'c."

4 *No, poor old fellow. My George will simply be delighted when ho hears how things have turned out. Bat I'm sure you have not told me half the story *yefc. Please jjo on. I'm dying for the third volume. What, for instance, did you do when he ksisted upon going in that dreadful*lifeboat ? "

" Nothing at all ; what cculd be done but just wear out one's heart until he returned in safety?"

" And so you merelysat down to grin and bear it. Good heavens, if that had been my George I'd have clung to him in a way that would certainly have kept him on shor<\ • However, it's all over now, and no more nectj be said about it."

" I should think not, indeed," said Sara ; " and I think it is hardly fair to amuse your- - self at my expense, but : " " Amuse myself," repeated Tessie, in mock surprise, "why I never felt co fiolemn in all my life before. But; I must go immediately and tell George that we shall have a gay wedding after all. So, an revoir 6weet cousin Sara. Give my love to Karl.'

Looking Forward.— lt is now the proper thing .to make solemn resolves .to "save op" for Christmas.

Santa Glaus now sits up late nights balancing accounts and putting tags on good things.

The five-year-old now sends daily messages to Santa Claus up the chimney-flue.

An Interesting Wager.— "lll bet Santa Olaus can get more presents into my stockings than into yours," is the, remark- one young lady made to another as they tripped down Chestnut street the other day.—Philadelphia Record. - -,

Do not smile' at the man who now goes about with gloves two siaes larger than his hands call for, .It is needless to aay tbat those gloves were a Christmas present.