The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-07-18

him back tho freedom She knew 20 dc.
sired, aud then their path. separated
Tie property len ben by Sir. Peek, was
legally transferred to The children Of Rob.
cf PcaE-Euptu and Edns both ot
whom resided in a different part OF tbs
country. Tho business was all transacted
by Mr.. Eden, Margareis lawyer and at
though Rupert Peck strongly opposed the
transfer, be was forced to aoquiesee lie
urged her, throughher solicitor 20 retain
at least, thc old mansion where bis grand
father had lived aud died, bus this She
refused 10 de, aud likewise did she de-
cline the yearly annuity be wished 80
much TO settle upon her, Aud casting oil
all ties, Margaret left her proud merce-
nary cousin, went % a distance, hired a
little cottage, and settled down there.
There, too, for two wears, She lived on
without love; and what is harder than
that for a womanl She may be poor, aud
humble, and unknown, but IL there be
one true heart that loves her,then life is a
glory aud blessing.
Al the end of these two years of seclu-
sion, Margaret found her strength fail
ing. The physicians prescribed sea air.
and Qnp sultry July day she beheid, for
the first time, the great ocean. Sycamore
was quite a resort for quiet people, who,
disliking the noise and fashion OF Sara
toga and Newport, preferred seclusion
and quietude.
The third evening after her arrival
Margaret walked down on the beach
How quiet and still was everything. No
sound but the ceaseless breaking Of the
sHrf on the heaoh--a sound old as crea-
ton itself. The sun was down, breath
of south wind swayed lazily the flag, aud
before her at her very feet, lay stretched
ont the illimitable ocean. The long reach
of sand tempted Margaret TO prolong her
walk. aud lettering along, she reached the
extremity Of the beach. Just beyond,
acrosg tho rocks, there was a patch OF
sand even more beautiful thin that she
had just crossed; and with light step,
she bounded over the rocks, and set foot
on the treacherous waste. AT the first few
steps her light weight hardly made an i'm
preston on the sand, but as she went on
ward, She sunk ankle deep, and with a
slow horror stealing over her, she found
that 1t required all her strength to extri-
cate her feet from the power which held
them. A voice from the rocks, ringing
clear through The distance, cried OUT
Not another step forward Remain
where you are You are in the Sycamore
quicksand!
She turned toward the voice, and saw,
dimly defined through the gloom, tall
man hurrying toward her. A boat,
wrecked and beached by the storms, was
lI,in~ ~ Hfne aistonon lie ses- sut 4
piece of plank, and made bridge for
himself. 1t brought him within few
yards of where she stood, slowly sinking.
The cold, treacherous sand was up to her
waist now lie stepped fearlessly upon
it, and succeeded in drawing her out, and
in safety to the plank. lie did not speak
until they were standing together upon
the shore. Then he said, looking down
at her pale face.
You are not acquainted with Sycamore
beach, | suppose!
For the first time she looked at him
fairly. lie had strong, reliable face
not handsome one. The forehead was
broad and fall, the features tolerably good
the hair chestnut and inclined TO curl and
the eyes gray, deep, and of that kind
which keep their owners secrets.
No, she said, in reply to his question;
have never seen the sea until yesterday.
Do not condemn 1t for threatening to
swallow you, he said gaily. ! certainly
shall not, if it gives me the pleasure Of
your acquaintance. But must hurry you
to your abode. You viii take cold; the
air is getting chilly.
He gave her his arm. How very de-
lightful to this lonely woman was the
sense OF protection this mans presence
gave her At the door of her lodging
she paused.
You have done me a great service, sir;
may not know your name?
Willis. And yours:
Margaret Vance.
A sudden flush went over his face; he
stopped over her and took her hand.
Margaret Vance? he said. ! shall re-
member. Take care Of yourself, and good
night
After that, Miss Vance aud Mr.. Willis
met constantly. They walked, drove and
watched the sunsets together; and be-
fore either was aware, they had drifled
into love. Margaret realized how deep
ly her heart was stirred, when he spoke
of leaving Sycamore beach on the NOR
row. Something he saw in her face led
him 10 speak.
Margaret, ono word from you would
keep me through al time win you say
itt
She looked at him bul dimly eompre-
hended his meaning
will make myself clearer. love You;
want your love in return. What att
swer have youE
She put her hands into his.
/ love you Mr.. Willis.
Aud you are not afraid to trust ne, ut
ter stranger a am Of whom you know
nothing;
No, am moi afraid. | leel an assur-
auce within, that shall never repent my