Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-04

in the windows OF your soul, ana nave so
many buoys outside, the har2or ought to
be snug and safe"
"Flattery and bad pun in one breath
i shall have to sentence you to the
hotel for three hours"
eat hard labor" laughed the banished
youth. as he started up at the sound OF
the dinner-gong.
Yet through all this growing intimacy,
whether in banter or seriousness, agree
ments or differences, the young couple
got on together famously. Though they
spoke no word of love, they instinctively
touched upon many themes and expert
ences that pertain to that charmed state
The moonlight had new glamour for
them. The tides broke and rippled with
sweeter music. Rocking together in
their little boat, seeing nothing but each
others faces and the open sea or over
hanging sky, ali the rest of the great,
busy world so near them was for the
time obliterated. Without knowing why,
or perhaps realizing the fact, they were
growing into oneness.
Sitting together one evening on the
rocks, they fell 10 discussing the descrip
tive terms applied By poets to the sea, as
the waves break, rush forward like living
things. seemingly searching vainly for
resting-place. and then glide back to be
engulied by the incoming tide.
al wonder il the poets of the sea have
hit upon the very best words yet ?'
mused John.
~ have often tried TO better their
choice" said Grace. "but they seem TO
have ransacked the dictionary pretty
thoroughly. The breaking waves dash
high" you know they roll, thunder. rave'
lave; creep, crawl, rush, uprear and crest
themselves; they sing, they thunder,
roar, murmur and do all sorts OF other
things. But | willtry a new word II you
dare; call it scamper Tor movement, and
-and-slosh for sound"
Capital Only i. seems to me you
have sacrificed ideal beauty to allitera-
ton, q trick OF too many oi our poets
"Slosh r'-how charming ~
"Oh! you can laugh, OF course, but
they DO slosh. although I'll admit the
word is more expressive than elegant.
Take your turn, now, and no flinching.'
"Well, call it kiss-and that combines
both movement and sound"-and John
illustrated the fact by touching with dar-
ing lips the sea shell tint OF his compan-
ions cheek.
The sea-shell tint deeponed several
shades as Grace turned surprised and
inquiring glance swiftly upon him. She
saw rather abashed but not unmanly
look on his face. and true intuition read
the aifectionate impulse and honest HON
age that prompted the unusual token.
"Irs a custom OF the county," said
John in a deprocAting tone, always TO
kiss Tor good luck when you see the new
moon over your righ. shoulder
IL wouldn'; have the customs of the
country broken for the world. responded
the sci possessed young woman, "onlg
il am to be kissed don't like it
strained;" and she lifted the illusion veil
which her good aunt had tied on and, in
Scrlptural fashion, TUNED to John her
other cheek also.
The last-oi the summer days came on,
and the full "harvest moon" WAS rising
like world of fire out Of the deep. as
John and Grace went down the beach for
a swimming match. The purple sheen
of the sea tinted the sails OF the sloops
that lay idly rocking at anchor. The
rocks, trees and lawns showed black
against the sky. Far away the Boston
outer line flashed like new born star,
and disappeared with the revolving tur-
ret. The twinkling lamps around Ma
hant neck formed long crescent OF light,
like picture OF scene in Venice. With
full, warm tide, balmy air, and the
witchery of moonlight thrown over thn
scene, The young couple dashed hand in
hand into the surf. The love OF one was
yet unspoken. and that OF the other un-
confessed, but their confidence and hap
piness we're mutual. Both were good
swimmers-Grace especially being light
and swift in the water, from long prac-
tice and fondness for the sport. No shiv-
ering dips or timid paddlings Tor her; but
with movement worthy OF her name
she would disport herself in the waves
like veritable mermaid.
They were swimming fifty yards
race, out beyond the surf, and Grace was
several lengths ahead. when she heard
cry.
Tho cramp. Grace!" and turned to
see John clutching convulsivelY at the
air.
Before she could reach the spot he had
gone down.
There was no boat that could be made
available in time to help her. There was
not a person within call. She must save
him, or he would die. John die? The
thought revealed her heart as she had
never seen it in her passive happiness.