IN THE SILVERY PATH. A Sad Incident of a Calm Night on a Great Ocean Pier.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 308, 17 October 1888, Page 3

IN THE SILVERY PATH. A Sad Incident of a Calm Night on a Great Ocean Pier.

There were a hundred of us at the extreme end of the great ocean pier, watching for the moon to rise in its cavern in the sea. The bide w/is going ouL and fche undertow could bo felt as it pulled at the strong supports of the pier. Off in the west a chrlc bank of clouds was creeping up, and at intervals a flash of lightning showed the ragged edges of the clouds and turned the waves to blood led. The waves came rolling in" from the groat expanse to the east, each crested with troth and foam — each roaring a menace -each flinging itsolf on the beach in sullen fury. There was a hush as we waited and watched and li-tened. By-and-by a sweet voice suddenly broke into sung. It was that dear old melody, ' Sitting On My Dear Old Mother's Knee,' and the finger was a girl not more than 18 years old. No ono seemed to know her, but as her voice took up the ' elody and every word reached our cans, all bent forward with bated breath. There was a quaver — a .sadness — a something in her vece which called for pity. As she pang the great white moon rope isi her majesty out of the blark waste of water — up — up inch by inch, and as the singer reached the la&b vev&e the silver rays settled upon her head and made her a crown of glory. When she had finished she ro&e up, slowly walked forward to the low i ailing, and, looking out upon the silvery path across the water?, she tang the last versse again. Then, while the Tears yet blinded somo and while the melody yet lingered in the ears of all, &ho sprang over the rail into the seething, swirling, raging waters twenty feet below. No man moved fora moment. Then all cried out in horror and rushed to the rail. She was floating out to &ea, hands clapped as if in prayer, out in the silvery path which led to death, and vi c were powerless. Never a shriek nor cry nor struggle. Wo saw her as she was headed up on the cresfc of a great wave and then she was gone for ever Poor child ! She had sinned, but she had repented. Never a word but that hoped the dear old mother was waiting for her on the other shore and that God in his mercy would nob judge her too haishly.