Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1880-12-01
SAVED by A WHISTLE.

close. Huge clouds doomed threat,
sningly in the west, and the wind
swept about the old inn with fitful
walls 1t would evidently prove
to be a wild, stormy night already
the waves Of the little cove that
made in from the bay had put on
their white caps in anticipation of
4 frolic.
The inn had formerly been used
for the accommodation Of travellers ;
but, at the time our story opens, it
had been gradually falling to ruin,
and people seldom or never stop
psd there
The inmates we're an old woman,
known as Granny Crane, a colored
man who attended to the chores,
and a young orphan girl Of IS
whom granny had taken from the
poorhouse years before
This girl, Ellie Drake, was stand
ing on the porch, shading her face
with one hand and looking anx-
iously over the water Her eyes
we're large and absolutely startling
IL their wild, dark beauty, with
long curling lashos, and delicately
arched broBs The seornful curv-
ing mouth was red like southern
vine The head was daintily pois-
cd ; the nose small and straight ;
Inc foot slender aud arched like an
Arabs Far below her waist swept
the ie,iy hair in o. silken waving
mass. She was most exquisite
creature, notwithstanding the rough
cnress Of the salt breeze had brown
ed her cheek and the small hand
that shaded those wonderful eyes.
\ brown skirt Of some vooleu ma
tsrial fell to her ankles She wore
a short jacket Of scarlet flannel,
and q scarf Of the same color was
thrown over her head
Suddenly harsh, croakinE noise
rounded from the house
Come il, gal. What are We
standing there for. and the cold
wind blowing over one e.
ElAe uttered an inpatient ex-
clsmation, but did not move, and
the wrinkled old crone crept to the
door and looked over the girls
shoulder
"Ah, ha, That's what troubles,
ls it No wonderland yer lover
the only smuggler Of 'em at home.
! suppose they'd give good round
sum to get him-eh, gall"
Hush " said Ellie, impsriously,
as she turned on Granny Crane.
Don't you dare 70 betray him !"
The old woman chuckled. and,
shaking her head, hobbled back to
the house without speaking. Ellie
looked after her with a troubled
expression on her beautiful face,
and then turned her gaze seward
once more.
A vessel lay at anchor just out
side the cove. Ellie knew it well
enough; it was the Government
cutter in pursuit Of smugglers.
Ellie was thinking Of her bold,
handsome lover, and her heart beat
strong and feverishly while she
considered the chance Of his es-
cape.
He was coming to see her that
night. She would wait nothing
could be done at present, for she
knew not where TO find him. The
night closed blackly; rain came
down in drenching foods when
Granny Crane, wrapped in n long
cloak, sailed forth, passing just
outside the door q stslwart figure
that approached the house from
a crazy old barn where he had fast
ened his horse
Going Ter stay the evening with
the gal r she called after him.
Eyes" came back 70 her in q
bold, free voice, and they passed
on, be to the house, and she into
the night. which grew blacker and
wilder.
Eye are a ine lad, Rolf Staurt,
but vel notspend the evening with
Ellie. The Government hounds II
track ys ere long"
The old woman pulled her hood
over her wrinkled face and hurried
On. Straight 70 the beach she
want, and arrived there just in