The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-12-15


slave shall be when Tn married, if I'm
never to look at any one or speak to any one
but him. What's the use Of good looks
if they're all to be hidden out of sight 2" and
she hardens herself in this one idea of her
own beauty and the amount of admiration
due to it.
She stands still, looking wistfully down
the lane to the beach. A sound of voices
comes up to her, hearty laugh, and then
some words, which brings blush to her
chesks-a blush of pleasure; her lips part,
and her head is thrown back saucily, as two
gentlemen come in sight, sauntering up the
path.
'By Jovc! this is lucky"
Captain Standish takes his cigar out of
his mouth, and says, "Good evening"
. He is tall, fair youth, with pale hair
and eyes there is washed-out look about
him. Mr.. Russell has more manly aspect;
he is short and thick set, something of the
bull-terrier breed. ..
Fanny is in such futter of vanity and
delight, that she hardly knows what is said
to her, or what she answers. She has quite
forgotten her intention of going straight
home, and stands, listening and laughing,
while the captain talks.
PART II.
John stands listening, too-just where
Fanny left him-listening and vet, not hear
ing the querulous scream of the sea gulls at
the foot of the cliff, dipping their black-tip-
ped wings in the dreaming curl of the waves
and then rising in sudden flight with fan
ming outspread feathers, or sinking again
slowly, as the air resists their pinions.
But John is not frowning. BE smiles at
himself. He thinks he has wronged Fanny
by his self-formed fears. Dear little crea-
ture how good and docile she is, after all !!
A girls worth nothing if she hasn't spirit
of her own. All ! at Bideford there1l be
none of these fellows coming down to plague
honest men!" 4
John Fry came back yesterday from Bide-
ford; he has an uncle there, fisherman,
whs has offered him a half-share of his boat
and his business for very moderate COM
pensation. r-ss
"John John Fry, 1 say! Hello where
are yea" l..
A coast guard, in blue flannel and shiny
hat comes running along the rocky ledge,
as easily as if it were six feet wide / r
He stops short when he sees John, sets
his legs wide apart, and both hands go
down to the bottom of his pockets, y
"Well, Davie :" --s
isLook alivel" says Davie, with red face,
and jirking his thumb over his shoulder.
"Yer wanted below; the Bideford boat is
OF the rocks, and there's one awantingg o.n
wanting OF me2" ~
John pulls off his wideawake, doubles it
up, and then fattens it out with his strong
brown hand finally, this proceeding having
failed to solve his perplexity, he moves on
to where Davies thumb is pointing.
"There1l be a bit of gale tonight be-
fore the boat reaches Minehcad, says Davie;
and then he stands still and lights his pipe,
while John Fry hurries down to the beach.
Unless he had scrambled down the face
of the crag-a bold feat for even so fearless
a climber-he must follow the path Fanny
has taken, but he is not thinking about
Fanny as he hurries along. His uncle at
Bideford was an old man; he had already
had one seizure, and this might he another.
John had few friends or relations, but those
he had he loved with the intensity of a
deep, strong nature, and his heart was full
of anxious fear for his uncle; he had left
him SO well and hearty, and so full of warm
sympathy with his nephew'sshappiness.
{ So that when John, in his headlong race.
comes suddenly upon the group-or rather
the pair, for Mr. Russell has moved off to a
discreet distance-the young fisherman is so
bewildered, that for an instant he stands in
silent wonder. ~ /
For an instant only. 1t is quite dark in
the narrow lane between those high fern
crowned hedges. Before one can note the
changes that have come into the two faces,
so near to each other-for Captain Sandish's
whiskers touch Fanny's cheek as he whis.
pers-John's hand is on the Captains Shout
der, and the Captain stumbles backward in
to the hedge. 4.t+
keep your distance, will you?" John
says, tiercely; I" that young woman IS not
free to'listen to your foolery!''
He has grasped Fanny's arm while he
speaks, and now he hurries her along with
him, back by the way he came
Vehement action has Gained down the
tempest of his anger As he strides along.
he is forcing himself to decide what he shall
say to Fanny. ~,
5 He has a dim remembrance of the point
where he left Davie, and he stops short of
that. The light has faded so completely
that he can only just see Fanny's face plain
ly. lsa..rk3
She is very white and trembling. She re-
members what John said Just now about
murder, and as self is usually paramount in
her thoughts, her terror is that he means to
fling her over on to the sharp-pointed rocks
below-terror so great, so paralyzing, that
she cannot even shrek for help. Even if
she could, her voice would be powerless
against the wailing, screaming -gulls, and
the roar of the waves as the wind lashes
them into foaming heights. "a = p.
But John has no mind to harm her. Spite
of all, heloves her still but he has learned
at last to put trust in his own misgiyings.
instead of Fanny Haywood.
Fanny" he says, in choked voice, az
brought you here to tell you what must be
said between us two" 1i T@ al ~ !
He stops and tries to clear his voice. but
It remains hoarse in spite of him. Fanny
'akes a'little comfort, and looks up, but his 4
tearn set face brings back all her fear; she \
;lasps her hands over her eyes, and cries out
With terror. - - s. : =
The strong awful calm that had como to
John after the first outbnrst givesSway at
the cry, and his anger breaks through like
ground swell, betokening how deep it lies
hidden away. = Il s.st,ss 1S.'s.'.
ABE quiet y he says, sayagely' and then
the sharp pain at his heart nerves him, as
pain will nerve to self-mastery. ~
Fanny, when asked you if you could
love me well enough to be nv wife. |
thought of you as man thinks of a true
woman. l thought wasn't worthy of your
love, even though gave you my heart and
soul in exchange. / gave 'em you, Fanny;
you have been firstand foremost in every
thought I've had since then. Pm not max,
ing merit of so doing-I don't know as /
can take them back. God knows how
love you still, but I'll not take wife who's
not content with the love I've got to give
her; who'll not keep herself for me alone.
I'll not put myself in the danger of marry
ing where can't trust.
a She had kept her eyes hidden, and be had
mot seen the shame and the sorrow that had
filed them, but his last words stung her in.
to sudden fre.vtse.sz bss szszaaibFo A..
Nobody asks you to- cher voice has the
taunting ring in it he is least able to- bear,)
I'm not likely to ask any man to marry
me, Nh, Fry--least of all, ono whom I've
made great mistake by ever having any.
thing to do With. i always faltId thrown
rnvraR avvau and na1, n,.s a,,ra "a H iei