Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-04-09

from the Cornhill Magazine.
KYLE GRIFFIfHS.

ATAIE OF THE WEIGH COAST
\ sea like duck-pond, calm as glass
and red as fire q long strip of snow-white
sand, backed by precipitous rocks, gray
by day, red too now from the incarnadine
arch Of sunset sky above to the westward
a strip of land running out into the harbor,
and showing black as ink against the
lower line of living gold, where, far be-
yond, the sun has just dipped his flaming
orb to rest behind the waves. Over the
point the topsail rigging of three-masted
vessel Nearer. in the reground, girl
seated on heap of dry seawced, her
pretty, brown, dimpled arms clasped
about her knees, her head uncovered save
by mass of black, silky curls, thrown
back and resting against an old boat,
moss grown and broken, and long dis
used, which had found its last haven in
this quiet nook. 1t was all very quiet at
first, but by and by step came trampling
over the hard, smooth sands. The young
girls cheek glowed with deeper red,
and her breast began TO heave and her
hands to tremble, as though she were a
bird on the eve of flying to its mate. Not
being bird. but a woman, however, she
coquetted-sat still staring at the sunset
she did not see, and started and almost
screamed when big man, brown and
bearded and muscular, came suddenly
round the stern of the ruined boat, and.
with short exclamation, half chOked as
in great gladness, took her straight into
his arms, and hugged her till she screamed
in right earnest -
Kyle, put me down. put me down
How dare you be so rude. sir ? Let me
go, please do
Not till you've given we kiss,
Faithie,n said the other, keeping his hold
goodhumoredly. yet with something OF
,reproach in his grave blue eyes. "What.
not one. after three months waiting
Why, lassie, l thought you cared for me !;
bit better nor that An l hungering for
this minute every day and hour since
left you,"
The tone of the reminder-perhaps even
the slackening of his arms-touched her.
Faith Morgan had warm little heart.
albeit five years younger and smaller than
the one against which it was beating now.
Inconsistent rs true woman, the moment
he let 90 she began to cling, and put up
her lips.
IL do care for you, Kyle she said.
"only-orlv You startled me so,' and
forthwith She began to sob like baby.
He made no answer at first, only kissing
her with close, tender kisses on lips and
eyes, till the tears were driven back, and
the lips pouted.
Nov Kyle, do let me 60. You're 50
rough, and-and some one might be
passing
And what if some one was % asked
the sailor, ioosening his hold, however,
and letting her resume her former seat,
while he took up a position on the boats
keel beside her "Who has Il better right
to kiss you than | can tell you, Sam
Jones's lassie didn't wait tor him to begin.
for we walked up from the pier together,
and she had the house door open, and her
arms round his neck, while he was still
peerng up at the window on the chance
Of her looking out"
Nancy Evans is bold GIRL" quoth
Faith, tartly. IL those are the manners
you like, Kyle, wonder You didn't try to
cut Jones out when you first came here.
II come between another man and his
LASS cried the sailor, staring; ''but there
you're Joking, sweetheart; and besides
you know there's never a girl in Wales, or
England either, that could meet my fancy
save your little self alone
You don't mention America" said
Faith saucily
America !" repeated her lover; ''why
n the name of all that's comely. you
wouldn't have me compare you to a Yam
kee girl, would you P''
The honest indignation in his tone, how
ever ludicrous in itself, had a softening
influence on Faith. Her big, brown eyes
grew suddenly wet, and her voice sank to
half-shamed-faced whisper -
"Only told you | wouldn't wonder if
You took to a foreign girl, Kyle. Some
say they're prettier than we are"
You would ha' wondered though" re-
torted Kyle, promptly. "Prettier than
you I'd like to see the woman. Faith,
give me your hand. and turn your face
this way. DO you think I'll be content
with the back of your head tonight"
He took her hand as he spoke, and she
let him keep it; but her face was still turn
ed away, and there was faint quiyer a
bout the ruddy lips, Perhaps her next
words explained it.
Father says you're going away again
almost at once, Kyle"
".Av; when he came aboard to meet us
he gave me the offer. II did seem hard
Almost too hard, when I'd hoped to have
little rest aside of YOU afore went away
again. But, after ALL it will shorten
the time o waiting one way. lassie.'
How, Kyle ?"
Didn't your father say was to walt
for you till Twas captain I'm going as
captain, this time, and only for six weeks
trip; leastways. that's what they calculate
it at Some business with the the New
York agents, think but suppose you've
heard about it p
That the Olinda was to be fitted out
for sale, and that you were to take her
over, an charter another vessel to bring
you back \ es but won't it take you long
er ?n
Il doubt not. They're to have the boat
and cargo ready. Mr.. Denbigh's arrang-
ed all that. Did you know his son--the
new junior partner-is to ship with us ?''
Yes she said. Good heaven. how
rosy her face was now; and yet the crim-
son sky was fading into blues and yiolets.
He was looking at her, and the brows