Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 1889)
WEST SHORE. 0U f AN OCEAN WAIF. BY VELMA CALDWELL MELVILLE. FAKT 111. i T first I was stunned at the news ; but when I realized the truth I was more like mad man than a rational human. I raved to myself, I would have her; I would tear her from his arms though a thousand services hud been performed. She was mine mine More heaven, and I would have her. Hut by and by calmer thoughts came to me and I liegan dimly to perceive that no one wan at fault ; that Providence had ordered it so, and that she wan not in the least to blame for marrying another when she honestly believed me dead. I spent one long, dreadful night in, as it were, mortal combat. On the one side, was my intense longing to seek out my dar lingthe woman whose image had li 1 11 my mind day and night through weeks of delirium and almoHt death ; the light of whose eyes had seemed my guiding star when, in the blackness of midnight I tossed on the angry billows, clinging to a bit of wood in mid ocean. She must be mine despite the law of (iod or man. On the other hand, should three sutler instead of one ? As it was, she thought me dead, had doubt less mourned for me, and then innocently married one who had Is-en a life-long friend. Was it not now my duty to go away, walking, so to speak, on the water, that the waves might obliterate my footsteps forever, saving her the knowledge that I existed ? saving her the knowledge that could only bring misery upon her self and husband, and in the end could not help me. for had 1 U-en wild and base enough to propose it I knew Mildred Mason would never consent to brink her marriage vow. Hesidcs she doubtless loved him. This thought roused the demon in me every time, but at last right triumphed, and going to the only two men who knew my story, I Isiuud them over tosilc , and sailed once more, ami intentionally tin ' f"r Australia. " I had no near relatives in the States, save my father (my mother having died years la-fore, and then were another wife Biid her children in the old home) and though ho loved me I knew that he, too, thought me dead, and dead I might as well remain to him. "How differently I felt, and how changed the world seemed, as I sailed this time fr y native shore.. from what it did that other morning, an eternity ago it seemed to Ine, but in reality les than ! 'I'"'1 year liefore. I almost cursed heaven thai I had nl di.nl, that I had survived si. kn.-sa and danger on and land for such misery this liaiin l through a mist of tears, I could sec... to girlish form standing on an eminent ,., ,.r oft white robe fluttering in the breeie, waving her handkerchief until it was but a tiny speck to my straining vision. She had hail a presentiment of evil from the time she knew that I must go to Japan, ami had repeatedly tagged me to refuse to go. " And now I was never to see her again. In order to completely conceal the fact of my existence I took my mother's maiden name, Lawrence. I wandered about the Australian continent for two or three years, aimless, hopeless, and unseakah!y wretched; but finally sivurcd a situation in Sidney where I have since made my home or my stopping place. I have no home and no friends, save those who, like yourselves, I chance to make for the time being No one rejoices that I live, no one would mourn if I die. I have lieen prospered in business, and am now what the world calls a rich man but I care little for it. Wealth can never sntiafy a hungry soul." When he censed senkiug, liuogeue was strangely white ami silent, hut the Professor Mse and stood lie side him, laying one hand tenderly on his shoulder. "My friend, when ymi hear my story you will see that IkiIIi our lives were wrecked with the wrecking of theNdiriM Hinl," he said huskily, and there waa a dim ness la-fore the vision of each. Without a word lino gene rose and left them alone. After giving the facts elsewhere recorded In regard to himself, Prof, tietlwiai.1 said: "I understand fnun your story that the lady of whom you scak was living in San Francisco when the .s'tiirin Hinl went down?" "Ves" "And of course particularly interested In its fate ?" "Doubtless." "Then I must see her Who knows but she may he able to throw some light on the fate of my wife Hardly prt.Uble, but still I must find and talk with her " ' Veeder did nut answer for a full minute, ami then starting up suddenly, he exclaimed : prof (iettw.aid. I will go with ymi She wi.uld not know me, even though she did not think me .h ad, and you will rail me 'Uwreme' and I will invent 'business rxeiiae (ir-at Heavens! I will. I must ,..k mi lor faT once re" Mr advice to you Would I" to do ," id Ilia ,,,n,pauion " Ymi will n.-t llnd her the hl.a.mtiig girl v..ii left b.r. and she was never your wife; it may do '..ii g-"l Tli- "f "'npf " tm lM" ' . happy iii her finally n.altrr of fact husband's .H.vtiMhs, and surro.md.il, doubt!.-.., by s-ns and .laughters of h. f own, will Ui toward making y..u f,.rgel the dream of your hfe will I a death blow to ,. romantic ideal y..u have , heri.hcd with the ardor f y,.ti. aii Hi'- y My nr",, 1 ," "", l"