Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-17

SET IN A SILVER SEA
ROMANCE BY B. L. FARJEON.
KISSES JOSHUA MARVEL
"KISa OF HOLLAND" PENRAvEN" ETC

and not exhaust my strength In rash at
tempts to accomplish what was physically
out of my power.
Nature favored me in many ways.
The salt water helped to stop the bleeding
of my wounds. and by great efforts | man.
aged to crawl to basin higher up the
mountain, supplied with fresh water by a
waterfall from the ice-clad peaks. The
time passed YEARLY inaction was like
death to me; but gradually my wounds
were sufficiently healed to enable me to
move with some freedom, and bearing with
me portion of the gold had collected in
the cave, in fourteen days l reached my
highest hut.
" Everything was as had left it ; MOTH
ing had been disturbed the book in which
my record was made was safe. was con-
ten. and grateful,
81 directed my steps to the lower hut,
where my birds and animals were, and long
before l was within sight of it Leontine
leaped upon me in unbridled delight. The
dog licked my face and hands, and whined
for joy. am not ashamed to say kissed
the faithful creature. Such welcome
home was not to be despised.
"'You are not alone, Leontine, I said,
looking into the dog'seyes; your mistress
is below.
s'Leontine understood me, and running
before me, with joyous barks, and running
back to express her JOY again at my return,
made Evapgeline aware that l was coming
towards her.
ssShe stood at the door, and at sight of
me turned as white as death. By that l
knew that the danger had escaped had
left its mark upon me.
"' It is nothing, Evangeline, l said, in a
CHEEKY tone; a mere scratch. I have
been exploring the mountain, and had a
tumble. Men can bear that sort of thing
they laugh at bodily wounds and hurts.
Think of what Joseph bore for you.
"' know, said Evangeline, with COM
passionate glances at me, but this is some
thing more. You look as if you had just
walked out of your grave
"s 1t is not SO, l said, with gay laugh
and 1 hope it will be long before the
opportunity is afforded me. There is
nothing to be alarmed at; am tough as
granite. And all has gone well with you
since I saw you? How many days is it
since 2
.She showed me the branch the four.
teenth notch had been cut in it; l had
lost count of day or two. Joseph was at
the foot of the mountain, she told me, and
taking her hand went to greet the lad.
He, too, was startled at my appearance,
but when l made light of my wounds and
laughed at them, he laughed with me and
between us we set Evangeline at her ease.
My animals and birds had been well cared
for, and l thanked Evangeline for the
faithful performance of the task had given
her. Then / drew Joseph aside.
Have you seen any more creatures
climbing up the mountain side asked.
:" Only you, replied Joseph.
.''I In the daylight
s'No; at night. 1 have been out on
the sea alone. for the purpose of looking at
You
81 laughed the lad had but gratifed a
harmless curiosity, and was satisfied that
he would not betray or deceive me, sup
posing it were even in his power to do so.
:. Then you have discovered, / said,
that no longer climb the rocks in day
light. The lad nodded l have never
seen the mountain from the sea, l con-
tinued would it be safe, Stewards, to
approach it
".It would be impossible replied
Joseph, 8 for a boat to live for three min.
utes in the breakers on the coast-line there,
they are so terrible and treacherous. II
is for that reason l have been afraid fol-
YOU
I" If 1 slipped and fell, I said, and
even then had some life remaining, you
could not assist me from the sea-?
{" Nor l. said Joseph, NOR the best
sailor that ever sailed the seas. Why dc
you risk your life:'
81 patted his shoulder. Some day,
perhaps, l may take you fully into my
confidence in the meantime, do not feai
for me- l am fond of dangerous enter
prises, and as for this climbing, there is
but small risk in it to a man who can
climb like goat. Joseph, you can en-
tighten me. There is woman on this isle
of the name Of Bertha. Do you know her !?
GO woman who has lost her wits !.
asked Joseph
! "' Yes; to some extent, should say.
What do you know of her.
80 Nothing am forbidden to speak to
her.
g Forbidden by whom 2
So BY the islanders.
"' For what reason?'
g. cannot tell you.
"' Does your mother know her.
"tShe has never spoken to me of her
no one in the isle holds communion with
her, believe; she goes her way alone
+" I had asked out of more than an idle
curiosity had a deep compassion for
this sorrowing woman, who lived life Of
loneliness among those who had tossed her
in their arms and nursed her on their knees
when she was a child and /. had hoped tc
find larger charity in the men and women
of the Silver Isle than was to be met with
in the old world. She goes her way alone.
Poor Bertha But she has the spirit Of
her child to comfort her.
Shortly afterwards brig which peri
odically visits the isle cast anchor in the