The Distinguishing Characteristic Of A Freemason's Beart.

themselves in the vortex of waters locally known as the " Rumble Churn , " tho enthusiast broke out in a wild peal of laughter , which echoed most grimly amid , the ruins , and he shrieked , rather than declaimed , the line— " Blow winds , and crack your cheeks ! rage blow ! Shade of sweet Will , I thank thee for thy apt conjuration ! "

His eccentric rhapsody was hero interrupted by bis attention bein" - drawn towards a brig ht light that glimmered for a short interval out at sea and then died away . "Ha ! " he exclaimed , " some poor barqne rapidly drifting with its crew to destruction . No

vessel , so close in shore , on such a night as this can hope to live m yon angry waters . Unfortunate wretches , I pity you . " A brilliant flash was next seen and a deep startling boom sounded on the storm-racked sea . " They are trying the effects of a gun , " he continued . "Vain hope . "

By this time darkness was fast setting in . The strange being clambered down from his post of observation and crossing the grassgrown courtyard made his way swiftly to a small cove or inlet situate at the eastern base of the castle . The rain began to fall heavily and to protect his bare head from its fury he drew from the folds of his cloak a hat . We may here state that the spot traversed by the man was encumbered with huge blocks of rock . In some places they were

worn smooth , in others they were sharp and jagged in outline . By tho growth of sea-weed and other marine fungi the rocks were rendered not only exceedingl y slippery bnt dangerous , as the sli g htest slip would have precip itated the wayfarer into the yawning abyss below . Our friend , however , was evidently accustomed to the locality and the nature of its surroundings , as with the agility of a practised cragsman he was soon on tho shore . .

He stayed there some time , straining his eyes , through the fast approaching gloom , in the direction where he had last seen the shi p ' s signals for aid . He then retraced his steps , but suddenly came to a halt half way up the cliffs and appeared to be listening intently . " Was that a human cry , or was it the mew of one of my feathered friends , yonder ! " he mentally enquired . "Ah ! I hear it again . It

is , indeed , the cry of some poor waif . " It was a curious sight to see the man who , but a few moments before , had been railing against mankind most bitterly , throw aside his misaiithrophy and dash off to the rescue of a fellow creature . As his movements were likely to bo impeded by the weight of his outer garments , he cast them away , and thus untrammelled , leaped from rock to rock till he regained the

beach . At the mouth of the inlet alread y mentioned he discerned the form of a man apparently lashed to an improvised raft , clasping something that looked like a bundle in his arms . " Faugh ! " he exclaimed , in disgust . "The ruling passion , as usual , the love of greed , strong unto death , It is scarcely worth the hazard to try and bring yonder creature to land , his brains , doubtless , have been dashed

out ere this . " But this conjecture was wrong , the man still lived , for again the loud wail of agony for help was borne on the keen nig ht air . Without further hesitation , the stranger went towards the drowning wretch , and by partly wading and swimming , brought him safely to land . Having achieved this brave act , he stooped to scrutinise the poor fellow . " Merciful Providence ! " he ejaculated .

" I have done the man an injustice , ho has a child clasped to his breast . It was , indeed , trne , the man held ti ghtl y the form of a boy of tender years . The eyes of the little innocent were closed , its face pale , and its clustering golden ringlets stained with the blood which was flowing from the temples of its wounded guardian . Having satisfied himself that both still lived , their

preserver , regardless of the personal risk he ran from the exposure to the cold , took off his thick coast and vest and wrapped them round tho unconscious man . He then planed him carefully within the shelter of a hollow rock . His next proceeding was to raise the youngster in his strong arms , and having quickly reached the courtyard , he made for Lilbimie ' s Tower . Entering n narrow passage

leading therefrom , he lifted a stone-Hag in the flooring and descended a steep flight of steps . Upon arriving at the bottom , a huge apartment formed of stone was disclosed . Tho roof was groined , and at one end a wood lire burned brightly on the hearth of a quaint chimney shaft . The floor was covered with mats , and a

few pieces of dilapidated antique furniture wove within the room , which in other respects looked bare and uninviting . Placing his senseless burthen tenderly in front of the fire , he chafed its limbs and used other means to restore animation , which ultimately proved successful .

The child opened its large blue eyes , stared wildly at its companion , and lisped " Mamma . Where is mamma ? Oh ! take me to her . " I laving somewhat soothed the boy , our friend left the chamber , and hastened to the relief of his other charge , whom he found still

senseless . To convey the man to the castle was a feat requiring strength and endurance of no common order ; fortunatel y onr first acquaintance possessed both , and in the end his humane efforts were rewarded with success , as in a short time those he had rescued from a watery grave were thoroughl y resuscitated .

" I owe you , sir , a deep debt of gratitude , " were the first words warmly uttered by the man . " " I gave np all hope when I found myself drifting against the rocks . I received an ugly blow , and all became a , blank . "

" You do not remember in what inaniici you were convoyed hither Y " asked the other , in anxious tones . " No , " was the reply . " I recollect giving one last loud cry for help , and as my body was lifted high upon the crest of a wave , I past my despairing ejes towards the land , and thought I saw a tall

The Distinguishing Characteristic Of A Freemason's Beart.

figure springing from crag to crag in the direction of the shoi-e . Tlie next billowdashed me against the rocks . I instinctively raised my right arm . to protect the child , and got a sharp knock on the head as I have already told . you . " " You have had a very providential escape , my friend , " remarked his companion . " Few mariners , if any , shipwrecked on this part of the coast live to relate their experiences . "

" I am not a seaman , " quickly remarked the man . " I was a passenger homeward bound on the ship 'Viking . ' We sailed from Stockholm and had fairly good weather till wc sighted the British shores . Unfortunately wc were heavily freighted and were exposed to tho full force of tho gale at the most dangerous part of the coast , The vessel lurched fearfully , the cargo shifted , and consequently the

water easily rushed in and it became apparent that we were rapidl y foundering . The captain then gave orders to burn lights and fire a signal gun in the hope that a passing vessel might bear down to our assistance , but , alas , no help came . Seeing that the shi p was sinking , the captain ordered that the boats were to be lowered and the women and children assisted into them . The skipper and his crew were

wonderfully cool , and notwithstanding the imminent danger did not lose their presence of mind . The brave old fellow was the last to leave the ship and leaped safely into one of the boats . For a time the boats , which were strongl y built , rode well and we hoped to reach the land . This state of things , however , did not long continue , the waves dashed over the bows drenching us to the skin , and what was

worse they nearly swamped our craft . However , we managed to keep afloat by baling out the water , but eventually it gained too great a hold and it became painfully evident that we were doomed to sink . As the boats gradually settled down the shrieks of the poor women and children thus suddenly about to be launched into eternity were heartrending . It would have been a source of melancholy satisfaction to me had I been in tho same boat with my dear wife , bnt in the

rush and confusion I was separated from her . The poor soul called pitoonsly for her child , but he , too , was in another boat . I happil y had put on a cork jacket before leaving the ship , and to that circumstance I partly owe my preservation . 1 saw my boy struggling in the water . 1 managed to reach him , and secured a piece of wreckage to which I lashed myself . I have nothing further to relate , sir ; you know the rest . "

"Do you think that you and your son are the sole survivors ? " asked the other . " I am afraid so , " was the reply . " It is trne that there were many good swimmers among the crew and passengers , but human strength and skill were of little avail against such a storm as then raged . I should never have reached the spot where you rescued me

had it not been , as I have already said , to the circumstance that I wore a jacket of cork . May I now enquire where I am and the name of my preserver ? " "In reply to your first question . " answered his companion , " you arc in a vault of the Castle of Dunstanborougli , Northumberland , and as to the latter query , you may call me Cresswcll . Yon were

doubtless , surprised when you recovered from the effects of your immersion to find yourself located in this miserable place , and you will be still more astonished when I tell you that this vault and another yonder constitute the frequent abode of one , who in days gone by , led an active life in the busy world till bitter grief and evil machinations drove him with a mind unhinged from the busy haunts of men to live the life of a hermit in these wilds . "

" Are you the owner of the castle renquired Ins companion . "No , " was the reply , given in sharp tones . "I am a tenant at will , " and he laughed loudly . " Some years ago I came to this locality and rented a small cottage near Embleton . It was my custom to mingle with the peasantry and rude fisher-folk of the neig hbourhood . I became interested in their homely ways , queer

sayings , and weird stories , which distracted my thoughts from dwelling upon the sore blow I had received . I may tell you that they regard this desolate , though picturesque , headland and its ruined castle with superstitious reverence , which feeling has been kept alive generation after generation , and unquestionably will exist while one stone of the hoary edifice remains . 'J- ^ iey religiously believe ,

among other legends , that the pile is haunted by the restless spirit of ' Sir Guy , the Seeker . ' Very few of them care about visiting the p lace by day , but when the shades of night are deepening and the dense mists come rolling up the cliffs from the lowlands , none dare to approach the ruins , fearful that they might meet the spectre . By

all accounts he must bo a very terrible being , indeed , if he tallies at all with the traditional descrip tion given of him—What think you of this ? : 'Like those in the head of a man just dead Are his eyes , and his beard ' s like snow , But when here he came bis glance was a flame

And his locks seemed the plume of the CTOAV . Apart from the idle tales of the people , the crumbling structure has a strange history , and has seen many stirring events enacted within its broad area since the days it was first castellated by the valiant grandson of the third Henry—but enough of this musty lore , I am boring you . "

"On the contrary , " remarked his companion , " yon greatly interest me . I was born and reared in the neighbourhood of London , and know little or nothing of the traditions of the North country . For instance , I have never heard of 'Sir Guy the Seeker . ' Who was lie ? " " It is a long story , " was the rejoinder , " and of the usual