The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-10-07
SAVED BY A WHISTLE.

CoR1NTH, Miss. Sou tr go r~ ~" i
" SAVED BY A WHISTLE.
The afternoon was drawing to close.
Huge clouds doomed threateningly in
the west, and the wind swept about the
old inn with fitful walls. It would evi-
IDENTIFY prove to be wild, stormy night;
already the waves Of the little cove that
made in form the bay had put on their
white caps in anticipation Of 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 stopped there. s.1
The inmates were an old woman,
known as Granny Crane, a colored man
who attended to the chores, and young
orphan girl of Is whom granny had
taken from the poorhouse years before.
This girl, Ellie Darke, was standing
on the porch, shading her face with one
hand and looking anxiously over the
water. Her eyes were large and abso-
4utely startling in their wild, dark beau
ty, with long curling lashes, and deli
cately-arched brows. The scornful curv-
ing mouth was red like Southern wine.
The head was daintilY poised; the nose
small and straight :; the foot slender and
waist swept the jetty hair in a silken
waving mass. She was most exquisite
creature, Notwithstanding the rough
caress of the salt breeze had Drowned
her cheek and the small hand that shad-
ed those wonderful eyes. A brown skirt
Of some wooden material fell to her an
kles. She wore short jacket of scarlet
flannel, and a scarf Of the same color
was thrown over her head. r- s--'. '.-
Suddenly harsh, croaking noise
sounded from the house
"Come in, gal What are ye stand
ing there for, and the cold wind blowing
over one" ,". =
Ellie uttered an impatient exclama-
ton, but did not move, and the wrink-
led old crone crept to the door and
looked over the girls shoulder.
"Ah, ha! That's what troubles, is it :?
No wonderland yer lover the only
smuggler Of 'em at home. I suppose
they'd give good round sum to get
him-eh, gal?' .. ~" ..@- s#.y n
"Hush!" said Ellie, imperiously, as
she turned on Granny Crane. "Don't
you dare to betray him T.
The old woman chuckled, and, shak-
ing 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
seaWard once more. a- uvz.v III! .~4 q -
A vessel lay at anchor just outside 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 escape. f..
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; the
rain came down in drenching floods.
when Granny Crane, wrapped in long
cloak, sailed forth, passing just outside
the door stalwart figure that approached
the house from the crazy old barn where
he had fastened his horse.
"Going ter stay the evening with the
gal ?" she called after him. .. -.. ~.
eyes," came back to her in bold,
free voice, and they passed on, he to the
house, and she into the night, which
grew blacker and wilder.
eye are a fine lad, Rolf Stuart, but
yell not spend the evening with Ellie.
The Government hounds'l track We ere
long" -.
The old woman pulled her hood over
her wrinklea face and hurried on.
Straight to the beach she went, and ar
rived there just in time to see number
OF dark figures leaping from q boat. The
men regarded curiously the weird figure
that quickly approached them.
"Mayhap the gentleman would be
glad to know the whereabouts of a
smuggler?'
eyes, my good woman That is what
brings us here" said one, who appeared
to be the leader. Have you any in.
formation to give us ~
She hesitated moment. and looked
at them craftily from under her heavy
brows.
II am a poor olds woman" she
began.
"Here - the man drew roll of bills
from his breast, and counted part O.
them into her eager fingers. Sc Now
then, tell us all you know" III
"You must follow the beach up until
you reach the road" she said ether
cross the grove Of pines at the right, anc
you will see the inn. In the front room
you will find the Captain Of the band
with his sweetheart"
A murmur Of satisfaction arose from
the men, and the leader, compelling
granny to follow, strobe on across TIL
beach, baa- 5Ssi7Isl 81 3 .iLR q 49,
Inside the old inn; Ellie and her love
were talking earnestly3s.aa Ea&t&sa 10 ~
you must go o. anqe. Rolf. TIL,