West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-03-20
The Echo in Her Heart.

hO LOitO ttt ttCI tlCdt L.
John Holt was in love and as he was
one of that class who never do things by
halves, when he concluded TO let the charms
of Sarah Pentley rule his happiness, he
meant that they should, come veal, come
woe.
Sarah Psntley 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 on all subjects, save
fishing, physic and theology.
Sarah Pentley was like Ter father, brave.
generous. and proud and perhaps il was
for this reason that, although John Holt
was good match, she refused him.
81 said perhaps, but il 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 he
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, ard many pleasant stroll had
they taken across the sands when the moon
light shimmered across the rippIes aud filed
the air with food 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 from 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 fight.
''The Spray looks well, 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 gone?"
Il cannot say, may stay away all sum
mer, perhaps"
And his voice sank low
''It will depend upon you whether |
come home before fall or not"
upon me 2"
''On you, yes. may as well tell YOU
now, Sarah, for my heart has long wished
TO show you its secret / love you. For
years, since we first gathered shells on the
beach, / have loved you, and even my bow q.
ish dreams were full of visions of the time
when you would be the queen Of my home
For your sake have studied, and sought
TO grow worthier 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 q
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 ali
gone now.
81 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 PeDt-
ley2"
Now he was silent, hIs eyes wandering
restlessly across the sea-
John, you do not know how much il
pains me 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 daughter o.
'Johnln
The pity and reproach in the word re-
called him.
Forgive me, was Wild
Then he seized her hand in his, and
pressed hot kisses upon il, held it for mo-
nent, and then strobe hastily away toward
the harbor.
She gazed after him, deep sorrow IN her
eyes then turned slowly down the road
that led 10 the beach.
Poor John" she murmured, softly.
Inc moon lose, and "a the light shone
across the waves, she cianbered up a ledge
that broke the beach, 70 look M the lighted
sea.
When she reached It's crest she saw. bear.
ing out from the harbor, directly past her
position, the white sails of a vessel
She 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 80 fast she seemed
tull Of buoyant life. Soon the schooner
wa abreast Of The ledge, aud then Sarah
fentiey saw that 10 was the Spray. and her
heart told her why 1t was going 80 soon
with no parting cheer to give Il God
speed.
Somehow the scene grew cold and desc
late after the Spray had been lost among