The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-03
The Echo in Her Heart.

The Echo in Her Heart.
John Holt was in love; and as he was
one of that class who never do things by
halves, when he concluded to lot the charms
of Sarah Pentley rule his happiness, he
meant that they should, come veal, come
woe. Z
Sarah Pentlcy was the beauty of Rough
Reef Beach, and she knew it. Her father
kept the only shop in the district and was
the justice of the peace, and general
authority for its people OH all subjects, save
fishing, physic and theology.
Sarah Pentiey was like her father, brave,
generous. and proud and perhaps it was
for this reason that, although John Holt
was a good match, she refused him.
81 said perhaps, but it might be per-
haps She had not weighed the matter, or
analyzed her own feelings. She had liked
the young skipper, who for long years had
supported his mother and sisters, and had
still found time to study both books and
nature, SO that when he was twenty five lie
: was looked upon as an authority, and was
loved and respected by all the people. He
was trusted, too and one of the finest YES
sells that belonged to the fishing fleet of
Rough Reef Beach was under his charge
and many OF the best fishermen preferred
him for commander.
Sarah Pently knew this, and knew that
he had been very successful, and had money
laid by she knew, too, that he was good
companion, and many pleasant stroll had
they taken across the sands when the MOON
light shimmcred across the ripples and filled
the air with flood of glorious light.
But she had never thought of love in con-
nection with him, and when John Holt had
told her the Sunday eve before he sailed,
that he loved her, she had been surprised,
and refused him.
They had been rambling over the hills,
and had come to a point f.om which the
harbor, with its fleet Of fishing schooners,
could be seen. Most of them were moored
close to the dock, but one, the finest look
ing of all, rode near the entrance, rising
and falling with the swell, as if impatient
to spread her white wings for flight.
''rhe Spray looks weil, John, and you
sail soon ~
eyes, Sarah, shall go on next Thurs
day."
''Do you expect good season, John ?"
eyes"
''How long will you be gone2'
Il cannot say, may stay away all sum-
mcr, perhaps" E0
And his voice sank low.
"It will depend upon you whether
come home before fall or not" TH
'Upon me ?"
"On you, yes Imay as we'll tell you
now, Sarah, for my heart has long wished
to show you its secret. I love you. For
years, since we first gathered shells on the
beach, have loved you, and even my boy.
ish dreams were full of visions of the time
when you would be the queen of my home.
For your sake I have studied, and sought
to grow worthicr of pure love and trust.
For your sake have toiled and saved, that
the comforts you now enjoy might be yours
always"
Again he stopped, and she said not a
word her hands were pressed tightly, her
eyes downcast, and with. one little foot she
marked half circles in the grass,
The silence grew oppressive, still she
neither raised her eyes nor spoke. Again
he went on, but the hope that his voice had
expressed when he began talking was all
gone now.
II have said that the matter of my COM
ing home before autumn depended on you,
and have told you why /; will you tell me
whether am to come or not, Miss Pent-
ley9",
Now he was silent, his eyes wandering
restlessly across the sea-
John, you do not know how much 1t
pains mo to say that / do not love you, but
cannot say otherwise.
He turned toward her, the deep passion
of his soul making him fierce, the great dis
appointment making him wild.
"Do you want to, or is the fishing skip
per no match for the squire's daughter7',
x 'tJohnl"
The pity and reproach in the word re-
called him. &
'Forgive me, I was wild.n @
Then he seized her hand in his, and
pressed hot kisses upon it, held 1t for mo-
I ment, and then strode hastily away toward
the harbor. ssss$Es
She gazed after him, deep sorrow In her
oyes, then turned sloyl down the road
that led to the beach. SIS
ms Poor rana John nasa shs a @psarsd, a US gefty
across the waves, slic clambercd IN leflae
That broke the beach, to look at the lighted
!. sea. IS: ,sas t3i .5gi & s
3F When shGreaclled its crest she saw, bear
ing out from the harbor, directly past lier
\ position, the white sails offs vessel.
sho was surprised at this, for no, vessel
was expected to leave before the coming
week. On came the light craft, the land
wind sending her on SO fast she seemed
3 full OF buoyant life. Soon the schooner
& was abreast Of the ledge, and then Sarah
Pentley saw that 1t was tho Spray, and her
4 heart; told her why At was gong SO soon
with no parting cheer to give il q God
ms Somehow the afer 4, 0revv MID ta,,a laoo.