The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-07-27

iheres mat desolateloo king little
island, at the mouth OF the cove" said
Nellie. "Did you ever 60 ashore thereg'
"lslandy replied he yes, desolate
enough. Its dry now, at low water; but
the waves go clean over it when the tide
is up. Shall we land and take possession,
and make believe there's a chance of find.
ing something
II don't care" said Nellie, aud in few
minutes more they were seated cozily on
the low ledge in the center, and Jack Was
silent for a little space, as he looked
dreamily out to sea with his great brown
eyes.
7 When he turned them again at Nellie,
they had a look in them that almost
frightened her, and she could have wished
herself in the boat again.
What is the matter, Jackg' she asked.
with an attempt at banter. "Are you"
Hush, Nellie. don't laugh ut me Just
now, interrupted Jack, in voice that was
deep even for him, but very low and sweet;
i've something want to say to YOU"
And SO he had, and he said il all before
Nellie could muster courage to stop him.
1t was hardly fair advantage for Jack to
take away out there on the half sunken
rock, so far from Bayside. and Quarter
of mile from either shore. Perhaps
Nellie herself had some such idea. or if
may be she was startled and bewildered
AT all events, when her eloquent compan.
ion pleaded tor an immediate answer, she
sprang to her feet with laugh that ex.
pressed world of wilful meaning.
DO You mean to mock me. Nellie Mar
tin? Do you not know-can you not feel
that l am in earnest? 1t is matter Of
life and death with mel Answer me! oh.
Nellie"
"Mr Jack Loutrel, will you have the
goodness to pull ashore, or shall | take
the boat and 90 alone?'
Il 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 your she said, and
there was halt tremor in her voice
Jack Loutrel could not have spoken at
that moment to have saved his life aud he
sank back upon his seat, from which he
had partly risen, but with his back toward
the boat lie justly felt that he had said
something which was *orthy OF more Sc.
rious dealing, coming from man in earn.
est
Perhaps if he had spoken, or had turned
his great brown eyes upon her tor mo-
ment, the result might have been different;
but he sat without voice or motion. more
like human barnacle than anvtljn.
else
a moment more Nellie waited. She
would have given something tor an an
'~er, for any sign OF yielding but none
came, and her proud will carried her into
the boat, and seated her at the oars.
She pulled very slowly, aud it was hal,
a mile to the beach in front OF the Bov.
side Hotel, but curve in the land AT las,
MD the rock from her sight, without her
constant gaze discerning the slightest
c"ange Of posture in the figure she had
lett sitting on the ledge.
Il was n tremendous experience for Nell
lle' altogether unlike any size had ever
had before and it may have been the tu-
mutt and excitement OF her feelings. even
more than carelessness, that led her to ar-
cept 30 eagerly the oher Of a drive with
Murray Nesbitt which waited for her nc
ceptance a she STEPPED On shore. Little
chanse was required in her simple seaside
costume and in a few minutes She wa.
whirlcd away behind the new team.
heanwhiie, Jack Lou,re' bad remained
10 almost sulleu dSedness OF musing for a
much longer time than those w. o knew
him would have dreamed of. for be D,J
r''kei much ON one cast, aud he had failed
to win.
lie was not physically uncomfortable
'o' the last rising clouds bad now ec.ip-.I
/ the summer sun, ard with good brow.
sion Oh fishing ID, lie, perhap, the rock
! would not have been so bad a place.
No' 20 very bad. vilh due allowance.
Tor now toe sore headed watcher wa. -,5.
d''.! aroused Dy tie pIa-h o. little wave.
'n'' we're breaking a, hi. very feet, and he
l,i ''e .resh wind OF the sea upon biz
. aec.