The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-09-30

My DEAR" said Mrs. Belden, coming
into my room one morning. "you are get.
ting quite strong again; the sea air has
done you world of good-in fact, you
look better, think, than before your acct.
dent am thinking we may as well return
to the city as soon as you like
was lying on couch by the window
looking out upon the sea.
WE'LL" said I, absently, in a half
reverie.
You feel quite strong, do you not,
DEAR"
ooh yes, a'am," said l, rousing my
self; "quite strong stronger than ever"
was stronger than ever; since that night
when Jim saved my life, swimming out to
my sinking boat against the current, and
risking his life to help an unknown waif,
unwilling that it was his little nursing of
old who was in deadly peril-siuce that
night world of new thoughts had come
crowdlng in upon me, soaring me with
their strength, and making me ashamed of
the idle silken life was leading l know
not what premonition of change, of ban
ishment, was Juggling at my heart this
morning as | looked out over the cleaning
waters, and filled my eyes with tears.
You are sorry to leave the seashore p"
said Mrs. Belden
Il was thinking of Jim," said l, hon
estly. GLOW can leave Jim? ~
Mrs. Belden's face flushed.
"Jenny," said she, severely, "of course
we all think deal of your sailor friend for
saving your life; but you must be aware
that he is not fit company for you, and that
his constant attendance upon you since that
accident has been a matter of much annoy
ance both to myself and Louis
At that moment Louis tall figure ap-
peared at the door, queer smile was on
his pale thin face, as holding out his long
white hand to me, he said, Jenny, your
sailors below
81 have just been telling Jenny" said
Mrs. Belden, "that we must get her away
from the seashore to free her from these
low associates.
Low associates!-Jim, my prince of men,
my savior!
81 see but one course" added Mrs. Bel.
den, as Louis stood silent.
l, too, saw but one course; and yet these
two had been so kind to me all these years,
they had made my life so luxurious and
pleasurable: should l 60 away from them
into the obscurity and poverty of my early
life again?
At that moment Jim's sunburned face
appeared at the door. He stood with his
cap in his hand, eager yet modest, his face
alight, his eyes cleaning behind Louis
thin, calm countenance. 81 sail the day
after tomorrow, Jenny" he said, "and l
couldn't risk the chance of not seeing YOU"
Mrs. Belden made a naughty gesture
with her hand, as if she would have ordered
off the intruder.
Wait, mother,' said Louis, calmly.
"Of course Jenny's good sense will tell
her what is right, and she belongs TO me,
you know
| saw Jim give great start. The blood
flushed up holly in his brown cheeks
There was pause for moment; then Jim
said passing his hand over his forehead, as
if he were not quite clear as to what he
heard,
"1s it SO with thee, my little Jenny ?
Will my little girl be happy always away
from her poor old Jim?"
"Poor old Jim!' That was what used
to call him in my childish days, stroking
his hand and comforting him when he was
in trouble. Should desert him now?
For answer l took from my finger a gilt
tering ring which Louis had made me wear,
| unclasped a costly bracelet he had given
me, and drew gold chain from my neck.
put the shining heap in his hands.
Louis" SAID |, 81 have loved you with
these, and perhaps for these; but loved
Jim without them long ago, and will love
him without them the rest of my life.
Forgive me, Louis; am not fit, as you see,
for wealth and splendor; it is natural to
me to return to my kind. Come, let us
part in peace"
Mrs. Belden rose; her eyes were like the
flaming sword that drove out Adam and
Eve from Paradise. She would have spurn-
ed us from her presence.
But Louis laid his hand calmly upon her
shoulder. Mother" said he, "Jenny is
right"
have often said to Jim since, as we two
are chatting in the cabin of Jim's good
ship, "Captain Jim, Louis was a gentle
man, after all, though he wasn't man
enough to save my lfe''