The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-03-16
The Lovers Leap.


sThe Lovers Leap" said l, as I stood
on the north shore of Cornwall, looking
UP at picturesque headland a consider
able number of feet above the seas level,
and hanging threateningly over its foamy
surface. ga name," added, decidedly
original and"
True" interrupted the tall, handsome
Cornish woman at my side, with whom l
had been conversing, and who had been
my informant respecting the name of the
projection which / have sketched.
'True?" l repeated, perceiving she was
quite serious. "Then, do you remember
the origin of the title?"
perfectly. l was child at the time
but it made such a commotion, and was
so often repeated, that it would almost
have impressed baby's memory. Ifyou
like, I'll tell it to you. It's become a
legend here; we relate it to most travel
ers who care to listen"
Declaring nothing would please me
better, put down my sketch-book, and
the Cornish woman and l seated on a
boulder, the sea tapping the beach little
way off, she began as follows
"About thirty years ago, there lived in
the village yonder, where you are staying,
two brothers; they were twins, yet as un-
like as the sea is in calm and storm. 1t
is supposed that children so born enter
tain a strong affection for each other. In
that case, William and Richard Redruth
were an exception. They were so utterly
dissimilar in character, that it would be
impossible to be otherwise.
Orchard was handsome, open, gen.
rous-hearted, honesti young fellow, pos
sessed of that energy and steady applica-
ton at work which is the foundation of
success. William was dark haired, heavy
browed, with restless, rowing spirit, a
very quick temper, and fierce, vindictive
nature. Though also fisher, he earned
but little; for he never settled steadily
ia it, but would start off in his boa,
round the coast, and never be heard OF
for days. When he returned, it was with
an empty craft, and livid, feverish face
as of one who had met and braved perils
different in everything else, unfortu.
nately, the brothers had one strong liking
in common-this was their love of Mar
garet Semper, fisherman's daughter, the
beauty of the village, and of so gentle,
kindly disposition, that even William
Redruth was an altered man in her pres
ence. He, as well as Richard-with 9th.
ers for that matter, but they do not count
-strove to win Margaret Sempers favor.
At last she made her selection, and it was
not difficult to guess it. Richard Red
ruth was not only the most prosperous
and handsomest fisher in the village, but
Just the one to obtain the love of such a
girl as Margaret. 1t was to him she gave
her heart and hand.
when the fact of their engagement
became known, William Redruth and his
boat suddenly disappeared. Days passed,
nothing was heard of him, though one old
fisherman declared that, happening to 90
to the beach late, for something be had
left in his boat, he saw there the figure
of a man very like William, creeping
aloEg In the darkness of the rocks. He
had called to him, when the shadow in
stantly vanished. The fisher so stoutly
affirmed this, enlarging upon the gliding,
shadowy appearance, that many believed
William Redruth had put an end to his
life, and that his spirit was haunting the
place.
Opinions on the point were divided,
when few mornings later the people in
the village were surprised to see Richard
Redruth, who had gone fishing early, re-
turning quickly and unexpectedly to land.
Upon his running his boat on shore. he
explained that he had got some distance
out to sea, when he discovered it was
making water rapidly. He endeavored
to find where the leak was sprung, but in
vain, and with the greatest difficulty he
kept it under while he tackled and made
for the village. On examining the boat
with the fishers, it was found in a most
unlikely place, while it was perfectly in
accessible to any one inside the boat
'How had it comet Richard Redruth
looked grave, but said nothing. The viii
lage, however, formed its own opinion, for
there were some who remembered hearing
William Redruth say, IF ever Margaret
Semper should choose my brother before
their wedding-d day one or the other shall
be beneath the sod
"The flaw was mended; a fortnight
passed, and nothing was seen of William
Redruth, either his shadow or his ghost,
to whichever the Cornish mind tended
He was beginning to be forgotten, owing
TO another excitcment-M Margaret Semper
and Richards approaching wedding, the
day Of which had been fixed
AS have said, Richard Redruth was
one Of the most well-to do fishers ia the