St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-10-06

and so brought her safely ashore. In
ten minutes more the cliff upon which
she had been standing was covered
by the sea She was very glad TO be
relieved from her dangerous position,
and invited me to call upon her"
"Was she not terribly frightened ?"
Not bit ; she hailed me, as
, passed, as calmly as she did you when
you performed the Office of carrier"
Come, then, we will pass the eve
ming with her.
On reaching the cottage, the broth
ers were admitted by middle-agcd
woman, who ushcrcd them into the lit
tie parlor. A lady was seated near
an open window watching the sea,
which lay spread out at some distance
from the cottage. She rose as the
brothers entered Hester Brantley
was tall, and very erect in her car
riage, with a fine face, large black
eyes, and mass of black hair, parted
simply on her forehead, and gathered
into a rich knot behind. She wore
close mourning, but the material, soft
and full, fell in graceful folds, which
added new dignity to her figure.
She spoke to George first, but extend
ed her hand to Harry, who grasped it
with warm pressure that called a
faint flush to her checks.
You are very welcome" she said
cordially pray be seated
:" hope you have recovered from
your fright" said George.
MY fright, Mr.. Hartley? Where?
On the hcadland.'
ooh, | was not frightened. If N
one had passed, | can swim, so tel
quite safe. | have to thank you
brother for the preservation of a sui
Of clothes from salt water bath,
and the large black eyes flashed upoI
Harry. a. have spent many sun
mers on the sca-shorc," she continued
though never before alone. Since
was last at such a place, have los
both parents" There was no trent
ling in her voice, only a deep sadnes
settled in those wondrouS dark eyes
For a moment, there was silence, an
then she spoke again. There is on
grand spot near here" she said, poln
ing from the window. What do 20
cali that elevation p
"That is the Lovers ClIl,' sa]
George. There is a tradition of tW
hopeless lovers who sprang from
= and their ghosts haunt the spot. u
E must avoid it at midnight"
Hester smiled contcmptuously.
Apart from meeting ghosts,
would be best not to walk there
George said at is very high, al
though the top is level, and apparcl
" safe fall from there would bc &C
tain death. When the tide is in, it
very high just in that spot and wh'
it is low, the ground is covered wi
broken rocks
! Il walked there to-day" said Ii,
ter The rise is So gradual from /
door, that, before was aware tha
was above the level of the cottag,
stood upon that grand cliff, with
sea rolling far below me, and +
pcndicular descent beneath my IL
which made me giddy to contcmpla
1t is a beautiful sight to look off
wards the horizon from that point"
George told her of many points
interest in the ncighborhood of
new home and then the convcrsat
glidrd into general subjects. Hes
addressed her conversation almost
tircly 10 George yet, at parting
. was again to Harry that she extcn
her hand, and it was on him her
rested as they left the cottage.
- The short walk home was takc1
Il perfect silence, and the brothers W
u. to their rooms with only a brief s.
night.
She shook hands twice with
o,, ry,not once with me" muttcred Geo
~ as he closed his door.
sa. "Didn't say six words to me all
, ~ evening" thought Harry " m
~ as well have stayed at home
..;d And what were Hester's thou Eh'
~ lie converses very well, and
,,,. very handsome but Captain Han
~ saved my life may have brave
''os ~ out, but I fear in those heavy clio
81, FL, should have been unable to 81
,hat He saved my life
Wiz Each unconsciously jealous OF
Ioo, other, the brothers did not vlsi
0 cottage together again but
was scarcely a day when one OF
~ % other did not see Hester. As II
u " ~ =. was at home on Il long leave OF
;s,n " scncc, his courting was more
'a:"p petic than his brothers. w
's.hs .ans George was away all day in the {
'"N yard, Harry and Hester, in a
,.;. boat. were visiting all the poir
' interest within sailing distanc
), aha strolling on Lovers Cliff, talki
Il a,' 81. the dangers of the deep. Much
e0 "r nation and many anecdotes cou
:" " intelligent young sailor draw fro
,or own observations and lIte to III
: tho his fair hearer.
'"' Two months passed away. G
,h,.n Hartley, pacing up and down hi
"s,nJ room, thus communes with his
i"~ :, ran heart Il love her She is tn
=. hon w. woman have ever loved, and
"' she is always cordial, frank, and
au welcomes me with a bright smll
, , pI paI parts from me with soft sadne
~ e Il must speak to her. l will
nor. this very evening. | am yonn
is the my income is ample VIII ma
10 Wv And then fancy pictured Hester
'rking. nome ne W.. Wp.Iu hano and hanpv
80, pations he crossed the road to
J, Isa''oi lie cottage. The door stood OPT
George 'ie Io'''S Do, bo ontared IN
w, ;,'.so 81 parlor. With aquick, gasping
90 ,"''0 clenched teeth, and pallid
! h,ve staggered against the wall, sl'
! nav the death-like faintness of desE
Standing within few yards
beach, were his brother Harry and
dland.' Harry's arm encircled the your
turned waist his eyes looked fondly
ly into the soft dark ones, rails