The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-07-19

when he felt sure he was bearing her
away from responding devices on
land? Alasl for Jacks triumph! IT
he could only have known that the feel
ing uppermost in the heart OF his com
panion was one of merry anticipation oil
the disgust of Murray Nesbtt, when he
should drive up to Bavside with has new
turn out, and find that she and Jack had
"gone TO sea "
Nevertheless, for she was fond OF boat.
| ing, she fully appreciated the skill and
yigor of Jack rowing, as the gay little
craft darted forward over the CLASSY wa
ter. Nellie herself could pull very well,
but Jack Loutrel was an athlete OF no
mean order.
ats splendid morning for row"
she said but we must not stay out
too long. The sun will be very hot by
and by"
Not too long, indeed said Jack !;
| "but I've notion there's storm
brewing"
Perhaps there was but Jack had
made up his mind that some things
should be attended to that morning,
storm or shine.
There's that desolate.l looking little
island, at the mouth of the cove" said
Nellie. Did you ever go ashore
there2'
Island ?" replied he. Yes, desc.
late enough. its dry now, at low wa
ter. but the waves go clean over it
when the tides up. Shall we land, and
take possession, and make believe
there's a chance of finding some
thing 2"
Il don't care" said Nellie, and in
few minutes more they were seated
cozily on the low ledge in the center.
and Jack was silent for little space, as
he looked dreamily out to sea, with his
great brown eyes.
When ne turned them again at Mel
lie they had look in them that almost
frightened her, and she could have
wished herself in the boat again.
What is the matter, Jack p she
asked, with an attempt at banter. "Are
you"
Hush, Nelly don't laugh at me
ust now" interrupted Jack, IN voice
that was deep, even for him; but very
low and sweet; : I've something want
TO say to YOU
Anu 81 lie ndOl, anu Ht SdIOl IL dll bt
fore Nellie could muster courage TO stop
him. 1t was hardly a fair advantage
for Jack TO take, away out there on the
half.sunken rock, so far from Bayside,
and cool quarter of a mile from either
shore. Perhaps Nellie herself had some
such idea, or it may be she was startled
and bewlder d.
At all events, when her eloquent
companion pleaded for an immediate
answer, she sprang to her feet with a
laugh that expressed a world of willful
meaning.
DO you mean to mock me, Nellie
Martin? Do you not know-can you
not feel that | am in earnest? 1t is a
matter Of life and death with me An.
aver me oh, Nellie =
Mr.. Jack Loutrel, will you have the
goodness to pull ashore, or shall | take
the boat, and 60 alone?'
want to be your oarsman for life,
Nellie, but not just now"
Nellie was already standing by the
! boat, as it rocked gently at the edge of
the little islet.
" Shall | wait for you p she said, and
there was half tremor in her voice.
Jack Loutrel could not have spoken
at that moment to have saved his life,
and he sank back upon his seat, from
which he had partly risen, but with his
back toward the boat. He Justly felt
that he had said something which was
worthy of moro serious dealing, coming
fro m a man in ecrnest.
Perhaps if he had spoken, or had
| .,,,.,ol =. nraat hrnvu,, avas ,tnnr har
for moment, the result might have
been dfferent but he sat, without
voice or motion, more like human
barnacle than anything else.
A moment more Nellie waited. She
would have given something for an an
swer, for any sign of yielding but none
came, and her proud will carried hel
into the boat, and seated her at the
oars.
She pulled very slowly, and it was
half mile 10 the beach in front of the
Bayside Hotel, but curve in the land
at last hid the rock from her sight
without her constant gaze discerning
the slightest change of posture in the
figure she had lett sitting on the ledge
1t was tremendous experience fol
Nellie, altogether unlike any she hac
ever had before and it may have beer
the tumult and excitement of her feel
ings, even more than carelessness, tina
led her TO accept so eagerly the offer o
drive with Murray Nesbitt, which
waited for her acceptance as she step
ped on shore. Little change was re
quired in her simple seaside costume
and in a few minutes she was whirleC
away behind the new team.
Meanwhile, j ack Loutrel had re
mained in almost sullen fxedness o
musing, for much longer time thar
those who knew him would hav,
dreamed OF, for he had risked much OF
one cast, and he had failed to win.
He was not physically uncomfortable
for the fast rising clouds had nov
eclipsed the summer sun. and with
good provision of fishing. tackle, per
haps the rock would not have been 5
bad place.
Not so very bad, with due allowances
} for now the sore.hearted watcher wa
: suddenly aroused by the plash of littl
! waves that were breaking at his yer
feet, and he felt the fresh wind of tn