The Portland daily press., 1878-09-14

followed her everywhere, with an intensity
and abstraction new to him-with a longing
that was pathetic in its apparent dumb help.
lessness.
Grace knew that she loved hlm; she felt
that his heart was hers utterly; and yet he
was drifting away from her. Was it his
pride that Kept him from asking the suprem-
est gift from one to whom he had already
owed so much? Or was it kindred feeling
a mistaken mannish sentiment that its victim
thinks to be chivalry? Grace did not know,
but she set to work upon the problem
that wonderful combination of will and au-
tomatism which we call brain and write
learnedy about but understand so little. In
the deepest night, in the busiest day-while
we soundly sleep or are absorbed in other
things-the mental machinery is at work,
bafded thought. Aud 10 some day of DAYS.
some instant of time when we waken, or sit
In the car, or stop in the midst of our toll
fash comes the solution.
The friends were together again, for the
last time, on the dear old rocks by the sea
The season was over, and John was going
back to his clients and Grace to her desk.
They were so truly friends that they could be
content in long silences when in each others
presence in the woods or by the shore. One
can make shift to talk with almost any,
body; but it is a kindred soul With whom one
enjoys and shares the charm of blessed ST.
ience. For an hour they sat, scarcely speak,
ing, their memories touching fondly and re-
gretfully upon the scenes so soon to be left
behind.
"The poet chose WE'LL" said John at last,
"it is the cruel, crawling sea- can but
think, after all. that the mountains, lakes
and woods are better. 1t seems more than
ever like primal work so crude and desc
lqfa frao nd hot -
easy to imagine the pleasure with which a
beauty-loving Creator turned from this to the
earth and adorned it.''
"Ah! yes" unused Grace in her turn, "but
the sea is more kind than fate. 1t is less ca
PRECIOUS than man. 1t is changeiul, yet ever
the same, like woman. 1t casts up treasures
as truly as it engulfs them. It kisses the
shore, you know, though it smites it. 1t re-
fleets the color of the skies-would that man
could do 1t as faithfully! 1t seems to me
often an imperfect yet striking symbol of hu-
man life. l have even known cases of resur-
rection out of its DEATH" she added signif-
cantly, with glance at the scene of Johns
rescue; shut they say" continued the girl,
abruptly, "that even in the face of the great
fact of deathless love and the law of renewed
life, some people won't believe in immor tall
ty! AS if love could go out like candle?"
John looked dazed, but made no answer.
Cfcu GucSe leduluS Strings thrown out 10
him-these doors of opportunity swung open
before his very feet-his false pride and self
ish sensitiveness kept him from using.
He started TO his feet with sigh that was
almost groan, and looked as though he
would like to jump off the rock.
"Ycu don't mean it," exclaimed Grace
with sudden flush of determination in her
splendid face.
''Mean wh-what?''
"Why, that 1 have got to claim nay own.
John dear John !-you know that what you
once sentimentally styled the snug harbor of
my heart is open to you. it is clear sailing,
and the tide is full. Why will you stay an
chored outside? There! if I haven't pro-
posed in due fashion, as meant to do ii you
wouldn't. But l love you too we'll to lose
you again, just because your tongue has
cramp, and it isn't the fashion for girls to
speak until they are spoken for"
"What fool I've been! What brute!
What" and words failing him to do himself
justice, John folded the bowed head and tear
full face of the brave girl to his breast, and
sailed into harbor with a smack-a whole
fleet of them, in fact.