The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-07-22

especially as that landlord was Rob-
ert Trustworth, a master-fsherman
in the village, who had saved much
money Of late years, and thought much
property in the neighborhood, and of
whom Grace would not have liked to
ask favor, as she had often done of
her former landlord. But Abel
Wrayford was not thinking Of land
lords, the Christmas quarters rent,
or the article for next months Scien-
tifc Register, and he continued to
stare before him, until even his fair
ward grew a little anxious.
"How the wind blows tonight"
she said, at last and he answered,
still absently,
Eyes; don't touch it, Grace" and
frightened her a little more. She
was thinking Of calling his attention
to the pages crumpled beneath his
elbow as a last resource, when he
suddenly jumped to his feet, and
clutched the table-lamp before him.
81 shall not be long," he said. "A
minute or two-not more" He went
rapidly to his top room, wherein he
locked himself; away from her, and
in his absence of mind left her in the
darkness down stairs, until she light
ed fresh lamp for herself, and sat
patiently awaiting his return, scarce
ly hoping to see him again that even
ing, and knowing too we'll where his
new craze was likely to lead him.
He came down, however, in an
hours time, looking rather wild, with
his gray-shot locks rubbed all man.
ner Of ways, and laughing heartily as
at a pleasant joke, with which some
familiar up stairs had favored him.
He took a place in front Of the fire
spread his hands before the blaze,
and gave vent to one incomprehensi-
BILE word-"Mud!"
Grace repeated the word, and look
ed at him wonderingly He met her
glance, and laughed again.
eyes, it was really a craze, Grace" !"
he said.
II thought that I had discovered a
new color, a brand-span, bright and
dazzling tint, and the result was mud,
my dear. That is ALL"
"You will not work any more to-
night?" she asked.
"No," he replied, after a glance at
his papers. "Lock upmy desk, child,
and put my papers away, like care
full amanuensis as you are. That was
strange fancy to get into my head
about a color. I never had such an
idea before, and it was very ridicu-
lous of me, just as I was in full swing
at my article, too. But one is led
a stray now and then from the right
track and thehours waste themselves
sadly. Did you say that the wind
was bowling very much to night?'
II said so before you went up to
your study" was the quiet answer.
"Ah! I know you mentioned it.
Yes; it comes full swoop at us from
the sea, and means, like some one
wounded and sore, outside the house.
An uncomfortable night"
"Gardy,' said Grace suddenly,
turning very white, "there is some
thing moaning outside the house be.
side the wind tonight.
'The deuce there isl" replied Abel
Wrayford, rising with his ward. II
hope you may be wrong"
Grace had already risen, drawn
aside the heavy window-curtains, and
looked out at the nights Darkness
and Abel took his place beside her in
the same watchful attitude. On the
alert for something strange and event
full, they did not appear greatly sur
prised when cry of help, as from the
beach below the cliff on which Wray.
ford's house was built, welled family
to their ears. Grace turned shade
paler, perhaps, and laid her hanc
upon her guardians shoulder.
"Did I not say sol" she asked.
"Certainly, you did. My hat ani
stick, my dear-the lantern from tht
downstairs room-Ill go and see i
I can be of help. I hope it's not an
other wreck
Grace brought him his hat ant
stick, and the lighted lantern which h
had asked for. He did not observe
that she was dressed for walking to<
until he was at the door.
"Why, Grace!"
Il would rather 90 with you," sh'
said !; "Imay be of use to some poo
sufferer cast upon the beach,"
"But-"
She would not listen to his reason
ing. She shut herself outside will
him in the wind and rain, whicl
came at them tempestuously, and ex
tinguished the light in the lantern II
begin with.
my dear, you must 60 back,
said Abel, solicitously. II had NJ
conception that it was such an awfu
night, and you are young, and deli
cate, and unfit for storms"
"Some one is abroad and in dan
GER" she said, "and I will 60 along
with you. You are too near-sightet
to venture near the cliff without me.
"Oh ! that's nonsense" he answer
ed; ''my sight improves, and-Why
Grace, look there! Something is NOV
-. - II, - oJo1 - f A.. ,1:0c >.1.