Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-08-03

his own heart things were at a terrible
low ebb.
Nearer and faster came the rattle of
the wheels, and then they swept past
him at their best gait, the new team of
Murray Nesbitt, and Nellie Martin her
self was sitting beside the handsome
driver. She seemed to be looking up
at him, too, with more OF earnestness
and emotion in her face than Jack
Loutrel had ever seen there. True, it
was but glimpse he caught as they
flashed past him but he cared no longer
who might see him in his forlorn pre-
dicameut, and sprung over into the
road to make the best of his way to the
hotel.
That had been an eventful morning
for Nellie Martin. 1t was long drive
that Murray Nesbitt had planned for
her, and that, too, not without pur-
10 of his own The swift motion was
a good thing for Nellie, and aided amaz-
ingly in restoring the tone of her some
what rutfled spirit; but. for all that, she
was more silent, and in a manner more
subdued than Murray had ever known
her before. How could he have given
up so good and so h opeful an opportun-
itv? AT all events, he did not, and
Nellie heard him to the end in such a
halt humble quietude, that Murray
heart throbbed quick and fast, with a
glow o! coming triumph.
They were not driving very fast just
then, but were coming outupon the sea
ward slope of "The View"
Nellie's face had been half.avcrted
and there was dreamy look in hel
eyes that her companion did not see
suddenly she exclaimed, with sort OF
halfelec,ric start:
"Where is the rock Why, it is no
thing but foam; and how the wind il
blowing!'
Murray Nesbitt looked, with puzzled
amazement, in the direction in which
Nelliepointed.
"Oh, that rock" he said, coolly
"Why, that's nothing. The water has
been over it this haifhour."
Home! home! Drive back to the
hotel, Instantly" gasped Nellie. ooh
if anything has happened to him
left him on the rock without boat'
Even Murray's disappointment die
not prevent his oheying so serious az
injunction, and on they sped, past .Jacl
Loutrel's ambush, little dreaming tina
he would come striding on behint
them.
1t was short drive, long as it seemed
to Nellic's conscience-stricken haste
and she ran brcathessly from the car
rage to the beach.
Careful hands had hauled the boat
up high and dry, for the waves wcr,
chasing one another in rough ant
tumble that was momentarily becomin,
more boisterous.
No one seemed at hand to help, an,
Nellic's own fair hands were quick lN
Juggling vainly at one of the gaily paint
ed wherries.
"Wait moment miss !" shouted be
keeper. "Why, yer into the water yer
self. You don't want to row out in al
that sea?"
"Oh! but we must save him ! left
him on the rocks"
Just then, long, crested, splashine
wave died away from around her feet
and left behind it, on the sand, a round
water,soaked chip hat. Nellie 81 W it
and covered her face with her hands
for now she knew that Jack Loutlel was
not upon the rock.
AS for Murray Nesbitt by this time
he Eneasurably comprehended the stu
alton, or thou ght he did, and insisted
in doing his uttermost to get one OIL
more of the boats into the water, hav
ing it in mind to row all over the cove
in search of any hope of aiding his un.
fortunate rival; while poor Nellie, after
a few NONE ats, mechanically picked W
the wave tossed wreck of "a hat, anG
.ulned back toward the hotel, without
vouchsating word Of explanation tt
the curious and anxious inquirers, who
were now rapidly hurrying down to the
water-side. So general, in fact, was the
exodus, that when Nellie entered the
veranda, she found it altogether de
serted.
On she walked, like one in a dream
but at the turth end, toward the road
a tall form, clad in garments that clunt
forlornly close to their wearer, passec
s,ittiy by her, as if it had been one who
knew her not.
"Oh, Jack T. exclaimed Nellie, anc
she graspcd him hard 10y the arm as she
spoke. "Jack Loutrel, is it you? Jack
here's your hat
Jack had turned upon her Il pale, re
proachful, almost stormy face; bu
Nellie's blue eyes were streaming will
tears. and her lips, that had been 81
willful, were quivering as they neve
had before.
sob, Jack! if you had not come
ashore, should have died!'
"Nellie Nellie Martini
"Yes, jack found it out all a
once, when | saw there was nobody OF
the rock. And, then-oh! when
thought nothing but your hat--Pleas'
forgive me, dear Jack y
Alas for Murray Nesbitt! The glor.
of lis new team had departed, for Jacl
Loutrel had got his answer.