The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-10
Fettered, Yet Free.
BARRETT SYLVESTER.
AUTHOR OF "cLoUDs AND SUNSHINE" "E5
TEL.E's ERROR" ETC.
CHAPTER I.
GEoPFhEY cHETwYND MAKES TIE AcoUAINT,
ANCE OF TIE CHILD WIDOW AND HER SON.


narrow belt of smooth sands, shadowed by
tall gray cliffs, and dotted here and there
with gray rocks that looked black under
their thick coating of bladder, rack-oyer the
still, CLASSY sea yellow light; over every
thing on earth, in air and water, an intense
calm Now and then a more frolicsome
wave than the rest broke with "dlshsh' on
the sands, which only made the preceding
and succeeding ripples seem quieter-now
and then fisherman in his boat few yards
from the shore wonld shout 10 friend on
the beach, or gull fly slowly overhead with
melancholy cry, Us if utterly weary of the
inanity of things on this still August after
nosn; but these sounds alone broke the
silence.
Stretched at full length on the dry shin
gle, his arms under his head, his straw hat
tilted over his eyes, evidently enjoying to
the full the dolce far nieute of the place and
hour, lay man of about ight-and-twenty
or thirty-a tall, we'll made man, in o loose
grav suit of summer clothes. There was
nothing to be seen of his face but firm,
well-molded chin and the end of pair of
brown whiskers. A fisherman sitting few
yards off, on the edge of his b at, mending
his net and and whistling softly to himself,
glanced now and then toward the recumbent
figure-for gentlemen were scarce in this
remote village-and two boys. for want of
other occupation, from behind the shelter of
neighboring rock threw stones at him, to
see which dared strike nearest to him.
Presently one struck the well boot,
and the straw hat was pushed back on the
dark head, and the gentleman, raising him
self on one elbow, looked round for the of
fender. 1t was good-looking face that ap-
peared, not handsome one but the deep
set brown eyes had a straig ghttorward,
thoughtful glance, and the well-cut mouth
wore mingled sweetness and gravity that
made a passer-by look with pleasure on
Geofrey Chetwynd's face. The boys had
vanished at the first movement of their
mark but the fisherman's wife had come
down with her husbands tea, and the pair
were having somewhat quarrelsome con-
versation in no hushed tones, which de-
stroyed the charm of tn moment and made
the gentleman rise slowly to his feet and
wander away along the edge of the rippllng
sea.
"Well, came here for rest and quiet, and
l have got it, with vengeance" he nut
tered, half aloud as, with one hand in his
trowsers' pocket and the other swinging
small stick, he strolled lazily along Il be-
gin to feel as if never had worked and
never should work again. It's very pleasant
for a change, but l think l would rather live
over shop in the Strand than vegetate in
snch intense quiet as this. Hollo, my little
friend, what's the matter? pa pretty little
boy of between three and four, in brown
| holland dress, and with bare feet, stood cry
ing at the edge of the water.
."My boat-it's gone too fnr-I dropped
the string" said the child, pointing to n
tiny bark that rode the waters about three
feet from the shore and dashing the tears
from his eyes.
Geofrey Chetwynd reached forward and
tcwed the small vessel in with his cane,
whilst his little companion watched him
with suspended breath.
"Be very careful p he cried, clasping his
little hands. "f you go too fast, he'll up
set and the sail get wet.
"All right; LII be careful but we gener-
ally call boat She not he What's her
nameE
"But it's boy-boat I don't like girl
boats don't want to call it she, ," plead
ed the child as he took his recovered treas
ure from Geofffey's hand. at hasn't a
INme What ought it to be called?"
"h'm-well, it's not so easy to name a
boy-boat" answered Geoffrey, obviously.
''I'he genus is new to me. We must choose
q name with no gcnd /, l suppose. Will
Pride Of the Ocean dor"
"lt's too long"-with grave shake Of the
head. my names Cecil, but I don't want
it to have my name. What's yours?"
Geoffrey Ross Chetwynd, at your service.
Will one do, or will you have all three?"
But Master Cecil shook his head once
more; apparently none OF the names found
| favor in his sight.
You are hard to please" said Geoff ey,
| laughing "Well, let's try again. What do
you say to the Rouer? That's a boy-boats s
name, for the lame is never applied to
la<ies, though often applicable The Rover
sounds very grand"
''Yes, the Rover; thatll do-thank you, u
aud the pretty little face broke into smile
as the great dark gray eyes were lifted to
those of his new friend. "Now, shall we
put the Royer in the water againp
Certainly but think had better stay
to help you, in case of another accident
You are rather young to be here all alone"
I'm not alone" said the child and as
he spoke, another figure in brown holland
came toward them-a tall, slight figure, with
O willowy grace about it which pleased Geof'
freys fastidious taste. The brown holland
was relieved by blue bow here and there,
and surmounted by dropping brown straw
hat that sha aded one of the sweetest faces Geof
frey thought he had ever secn-very like thu
child's face, with the same earnest dark
gray eyes, the same small wistful, tender
mouth, the same soft, clear skin and fair
glossy hair, but all subdued and ripened b,
an extra twenty years.
Cecil, dear, hope you are not teasing
the gentleman" and the sweet, low voice
matched the face; "are you asking for any
thing?"
mo; Tn very good I'm not teasing,
answered the boy, quickly. Hes onl.
helping me to sail my boat; and he calle'
it name for me"
"Tm amusing myself quite as much q
! Master Cecil" put in Geoffrey, lifting hi
hat, with a pleasant smile; I'm afraid o
forgetting the power Of speech in this retire.
spot, and very thankful for the chance Q
exercising it. hope you have no objectlo
to our making friends2"
ooh, no! You are very kind. Cecil vii
, be very glad of companion, END, with
slight bow, she slowly returned to her sea
: in the shade of the cliffs, and took up he
r book once more.
With some interest," Geoffrey looked afte
her. He had noticed the sad, beautlft
youoe face in the little village church o
, the previous Sunday, and wondered who 81
was, and how she came to be thera a
l alone, for Cecil was not with her then.
~ did not see your sister sitting there
he said, turning to the child once more;
r wondered at your being here alone
t Cecil looked up in amazement
II haven't sister" be said, in puzzle
tone 'there's only mamma and me-
:, "That can't be your mamma !" exclaimt