The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-01-06
A WOMAN DID IT.
A Touching Little Story.

A broad stretch of barren, sandy shore,
covered here and there with ragged tufts
of scanty evergreens boats lying up on
the strand like sleeping sea monsters, on
one side and on the other the eternal
roar of great white-crested bilows, fling
ing white showers of spray into the salt
scented air--this was what Mrs. st.
Leger saw as she-stood on the piazza of
the solitary hotel, with her husband at
her side.
els it not grand. Beatricel"
She shuddered, and drew invounta-
riIy nearer to him.
eyes but oh. how dreary how sol
itary !"
"People don't expect much society in
place like this, Beatrice health is the
main object for which we seek, aud L
belie7o the roses arc brighter already i'll
your checks, dearest wife. See bow lit
tie Nell is frolicking down on the shore
with the old boatman and his WIFE
Shall We, walk down and bring Nelly
back 2"
"You go, Alfred, and will wait for
YOU in the parlor. Don't be long, for
the sun has already set and the air grows
chilly"
Little Nell and her female companion
were alono on the shore when Mr.. st.
Leger joined the group-the bOatman
had strayed off in another direction 10
look for a missing oar-and the child
ran gleefully to meet him.
Papa, papa see this pretty pink
she'll ~
But Alfred St. Leger saw neither shell
nor child. He had grown suddenly pale,
then crimson.
"Kathloen Morrison !"
Tho tall, pretty young woman threw
the scarlet shawl back from her head, as
sho bowed $50 you haven't forgotten
our Irritation, Mr.. st. Leger And you
are married, and this is your little girl.
How time passes.
st. Leger drew n deep sigh of relief as
Kathleen broke into light laughter. II
he could but haye seen the cruel smile
upon her mocking lips he would scarcely
have carried so light heart in his
bosom.
Mamma, Kathleen says it's the pret
tiest place--a cave, where the sand is
like silver ard the little pink and purple
shells lie in heaps. Kathleen can row
me ont in half an hour. She often
goes"
Nely's cheeks were in fame, and
her blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
Mrs. st. Leger looked languidly up
from her book.
"It is safe, Kathleen?"
"Quite so, ma'am we'll be back by
teatime.
"Then [ may go, mammal"
" If Kathleen will take care of you,
pet.
The purple light faded into gray, and
the gray into starry darkness, and the
moon rose up solomnly over the tides,
and they did not return.
"Oh, Kathleen, I am SO tired. Take
me back to mamma"
I" Hush, child We're going where
the sun shines all the year round, and
you shall gather ripe oranges from the
trees, and the parrots are redder than
ponies. just wait minute"
"And can have monkey9"
''Twenty, if you like
"But will mamma be there"
mo ; but wel send her monkey
in letter"
Nelly laughed at the idea; but the next
minute her cheeks grew pale again.
81 want my mamma, Kathleen. I
don't care for the monkeys and the par
rots any more. 1 want my mamma"
Kathleen did not answer. She was in
tently watching the movements of a
large vessel lying little distance out at
sea. Suddenly a tiny while pennon
fiuttered out, and was instantly with
drawn.
"The saints be blessed |" muttered
Kathleen. 81 began to think it would
never come. Nelly, darling, here's the
boat; jump in"
care we going to mammal"
"Yes, yes--jump in, quick"
And Kathleen's strong arm was pull
ing them out to sea in another instant.
As they ran up alongside the large
black hull of the vessel, a voice hailed
them.
SIS it you, Kathleen Where's the
child?"
4" Here" .....
"The ladder will be lowered in a
minute. / tell you what, my girl,
you've shown courage to-day"
The athletic young tar greeted her
with hearty kiss as she stood beside
him; but her cheek was cold as ice as
ittl Nelly chung, terrified, to her
skirts.
+" / am revenged |" was the first, the
last, the only thought that whirled
through her brain. .-.. ...
And when, the next morning, long
after the outward bound Sardinia was
spreading her white sails to the breeze,