Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/349

 at the young and beautiful life beside me! how bitterly did I feel my impotence to save!

"Yes," said Reva, seeming to read my thought. "But you have done all you can." Here she took my hand in hers, and caressed it with a gesture that almost unmanned me, so forcibly did it remind me of that father whose grief I dared not think of. "One heedless request of mine has brought us both to this. Are you willing to grant me one more?"

"Can you doubt it?" was my almost reproachful response. "But what now lies in my power to grant?"

"You can give me the privilege to call you husband before I die."

I understood at once. In presence of a great danger to one or both, a betrothed pair might, in this way, anticipate the usual date for their union. All that was necessary was, to make the customary change of rings, in the presence of witnesses. Reva rose, and, turning toward the nearer shore, made gestures as if changing her ring. Those on shore showed their comprehension by raising their right hands in solemn attestation.

Pronouncing the customary formula, I changed the ring from the finger where I had so lately placed it, to that where its presence proclaimed her a wedded wife. She performed a like office for me. At this moment the sun went down, and ceased to illumine with a mocking splendor the mists that rose from the awful gulf, which we were now nearing with a frightful velocity.

"Kiss me, my dear husband," she said, received from my lips the sacred title of wife, gave me one more look of unutterable love, then closed her eyes, and nestled