The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-11-29

face bronzed deeply by exposure, and
black curly hair. His eyes, overhung by
thick brows, did not look directly at her,
but, while averted, every now aud then
stole a look at her. Something about the
man, she could not say what, seemed ia
miliar to her; and she studied his face
closely trying to recall it. Perhaps the
earnestness of her look made him uneasy.
He drained the bowl dry, placed it on
the stone beside him, and then stood ST.
lent, with his hands moving restlessly by
his side.
Il have seen you before" she said, finally.
Her voice was kind; but he stepped has
tily aside, then looked at her furtively.
II don't remember" he said, slowly,
and turned his face away Not tonight"
he uttered; mot tonight But then, as
he was about to leave, he stopped and
said, "Many thanks"
But where will you sleep tonight
You may stay in my she'd"
II will sleep over there" and he point
ed toward the rocks.
I'm Paradise2 There is no house there"
The man gave grOan.
is that Paradise where the grass grows
green2"
so we call it,"
He turned and walked hastily away.
The woman followed him with her eyes
until she could no longer descry him, as
he was lost in the shadow of the rocks
His face perpleXed her; but she could not
remember where she had ever seen it. Sew
eral days passed, and once or twice the
man had been seen clambering about
the rocks and apparently gathering ber-
ries.' Once he had been seen fishing, and
smoke curled up occasionally from the
rocks. His presence there served to keep
the children away, while it yet tempted
them to 90 nearer and see what he was
doing. One, more daring than the others,
crept round by another way, and brought
back word that the cross which he had
been seen to carry was raised above the
beach in front of the opening to Para
disc, but the man was not to be seen.
All this and the stories which one and
another had told Of other men who had
acted strangely began to affect the little
community; and, at length, on Sunday
afternoon, Nancy Dacre, unwilling that
the uneasiness should continue, left her
home and walked along the beach toward
Paradise. Some of the children began to
follow her.
Come back! Come back !" their moth
err cried Nancy will go. No one will
harm her. But you must wait till she
has been"
Nancy herself was not unwilling to 60
alone. The cool breeze blew freshly be-
meath the warm July sun, and the long,
swooping dip of the sea-gulls gave her
sense of freedom and life. She stepped
quickly forward, and each step seemed to
make her more buoyant. Victory is ia
bled to be winged, and this woman's life
has not been without its overcoming.
She passed round the rocky ledge and
came out in view of Paradise, with the
gray rocks which formed its northern
boundary Midway she saw the cross
standing. 1t could not fail at once to
take her eye; and at its foot the man was
kneeling, his head nearly leaning upon
it, while his hands seemed busy. He did
not at once perceive her, and she stood
not far off on the sand watching him. She
saw that he had knife in his hand, and
was cutting into the wood. Presently he
laid his knife aside; and, going a little
way off, fell upon his breast, and, prop
pin his chin between his hands, looked
tixedly upon the cross. The woman for
a moment was disturbed. She had seemed
! to enter this mans closet and to break in
upon some secret devotions. Yet to go
would be to disturb him more She re-
manned motionless, her eyes fixed upon
him. Then she saw his face drop into
his hands, and she could no longer hest
tate. She went toward him. He heard
the sound Of her dress and rose hastily
His face showed signs of great emotion,
but the sight of Nancy wrought change
in it. He came to her and looked in her
face.
supper at the house yonder, aud asked me
to stay"
"Yes, l am"
"And you are not afraid of me?'
mo; should not have come here if
had been. came to see you. l did not
know but might help you"
You are good woman. am bad
man"
"You cannot be wholly bad. You
have raised this cross here"
do you think sol Do you say so!"
he cried, eagerly. "Oh look at me, tell
me that again" Nancy looked steadily
at him, trying again to recall his
features
NO" she said, deliberately. "You are
not wholly bad, and you have suffered
much for what you have DONE"
II have suffered hell for ten wears. You