Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-05-07
KYLE GRIFFITHS-A TALE OF THE
WELSH COAST.


A SEA like duck-pond, calm as glass
and red as fire; long strip of snow
white sand, backed by precipitOus rocks.
gray by day, red too now from the incar-
nadine arch of sunset sky above; to the
westward strip of land running out into
the harbor, and showing black as ink
against the lower line of living gold
where, far beyond, the sun has Just
dipped his flaming orb to rest behind the
waves. Over the pOintt the tOpsail rigging
Of a three masted vessel. Nearer, in the
foreground, girl seated on d heap of dry
sea-weed, her pretty, brown, dimpled
arms clasped about her knees, her head
uncovered save by a mass of black, silky
curls, thrown back and resting against an
old boat, moss grown and broken, and
long disused, which had found its last
haven in this quiet nook. It was all very
quiet at first, but by and by a step came
trampling over the hard, smooth sands.
The young girls cheek glOwed with a
deeper red, and her breast began to heave
and her hands to tremble, as though she
was bird on the eve offying to its mate
Not being a bird, but woman, however,
she conquettcd-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 a short exclamation, half Choked as
in great gladness, took her straight into
his arms and Rugged 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 me a kiss,
Faithie," said the other, keeping his hold,
good,humoredly, yet with something of
reproach in its grave blue eyes. "What!
not one, after three months waiting?
Why, iassie, | thought YOU cared for me
bit better nor that. An [ hungering for
this minute every day and hour since l
left you"
The tone Of the neutrality-suspicious.
even the sIackening Of his arms-touched
her. Faith Morgan had a warm little
hemt, albeit five years younger and
smaller than the one against which it was
beating now. Inconsistent as true
woman, the moment he let go she began
to cling, and put up her lips.
do care for you, Kyle" she said,
!" Only-only 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 Oh lips and
the lips pouted.
"Now, Kyle, do let me go. You're so
rough, and-and some one might be pass
ing"
And what if some one was?" asked
the sailor, loosening his hold, however
and letting her resume her former seat,
while he took up position on the boats
keel beside her "Who has better right
to kiss you than |? [ can tell you, Sam
Jones' lassie didn't wait for 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
peering up at the window on the chance
Of her looking out"
Nancy Evans is a bold girl" ouoth
Faith, t2rtly. of those are the manners
you like, Kyle, wonder you didn't try to
cut Jones out when you first came here"
come between another man and his
lassn' cried the sailor, staring; but
there, you're joking, sweetheart; and be-
sides, 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, saucilt.
America" repeated her lover; "why,
in the name of all that's cOmelv, you
L
kee girl, would your"
The honest indignation in his tone,
however Iudicrous in itself, had a soften
ing influence on Faith. Her big, brown
eyes grew suddenly wet, and her voice
sank to a halt-shame-taced whisper:
Only l told you | wouldn't wonder if
you took to a foreign girl, Kyle. Some
say they're prettier than we are"
on would ha' wondered, though"
retorted Kyle, promptly. Prettier than
youl Ia 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
turned away, and there was a faint culver
about the ruddy lips. Perhaps her next
words explained it.
Father says you're going away again
almost at once, Kyle"
Aye; when he came aboard to meet US
he gave me the offer. 1t did seem hard,
Almost too hard, when I'd hoped to have
a little rest aside of you afore l went away
again. But, after all, it will shorten the
time Of waiting one way, lassie."
"How, Kyle?"
Didn't your father say l was to wait
for you till | was q captain? I'm going
as captain this time, and only for six
weeks trip; leastways, that's what they
calculate il at Some business with the
New York agents, think; but suppose
you've heard about it?''
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? Yes; but won't it take you
AlongerY
q doubt not. They're to have the
boat and cargo ready. Mr.. Denbigh's ar.
ranged 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 Grim
son sky was fading into blue and violets
He was looking at her, and the browS
suddenly darkened over his eyes, giving
them an odd, fierce expression. His
voice, however, was quieter than before
can't say | care about sailing will
the owners son. I'd liefer take any Other
passenger. They're apt to fancy that be
cause they're boss ashore they need b'
boss aboard, an I'm a masterful man my
sell, an don't hold with no Co.'S in sal
water. Hows'ever, [ shouldn't mind 81
much II liked the man.
AND don't you 90 asked Faith, timidly
her color still high
10 you?' said he, stopping forward
10 look her full in the face. He's beer
q deal at Amwlch since / left. people tel