The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-24
CastaWay.

Wild and rocky were the s..ores OF Rat
tlcsnake island Viewed from distance,
Its peculiar formation gave ii the appear
ance of rattlesnake, coiled ready to
spring. Its lime stone rocks were worn by
the ccaselcss beatings of the waves into
many grotesquc shapes. Caverns were
followed out beneath, and crevices dug
deep into the solid wall. Gnarly, twisted
ccdars oyerhung the highest points and
clung tenaciously to them, all regardless of
the cold waves of Lake Erie that flung
their foam and spray far above them. In
the background were low trees and shrub
berry in struggling groups, which, although
relieving to some extent the dcs0latc as
pect, gave an additional feature of wildncss
and solitude to the place.
a single cabin Of modest pretcnsions oc-
cupicd spot sheltered by point of rocks,
where the hollow moan of the lake in its
rocky caverns seemed to answer tho moan
Ing OF tho wind. as from low murmurs It
rose wilder and deeper and grander as the
fierce Canadian blast from the northern
shores struck with full force and fury,
This cabin was the home Of Ralph Hen
derson, who with his family were the sole
inhabitants of the little island. The eldest
OF the family was Minnie, II black-cycd
girl Of eighteen, fair and rs rosy checked
as the bright berries that grew among the
rocks and ripencd beneath the Indian sum
mer skies. Affable and clever, and possess
Ing perhaps not few OF the little willy arts
peculiar to her sex, she had won the re-
CARDS OF young fisherman, Torrey Weber,
OF an adjacent island, who very often when
threatened by a "squall' somehow found
II tN Il -.s.H
under the lee of Rattlesnakc island for
shelter, and IL generally happened that the
uquail lasted long enough for the young
maj, man 10 make last his boat and 60 ashore.
There was an eagles nest in a high tree
just back of the cabin, and i'll order to pass
The time young Torrey would take stroll
along tho beach to the point If rocks oppo-
slte the eagle tree; and when, from casual
glance, he really appeared to be looking to-
ward the cabin, a second glance would re-
veal the fact that he was only watching
very intently the circumvolutions of the old
eagle about her nest in the top of the hol-
low oak, and very often when thus ell
gagged his vision had been rewarded by
glimpses of the dark-cycd girl, to whom he
never failed to tip his s'souwcater," with
the profoundcst Of bows. However, as
the tihIe wore OH the occupants of the cabin
began to think the young man q wonder
tully interested visitor to the spot, and as
the subject was alluded to in the presence
OF the young lady, a close observer might
nave detected certain sly twinkle in her
mlschievous eyes.
AT Inst one beautiful October morning,
Minnie was rowing along the shore, for she
could manage boat quite we'll, indeed,
and wasn't bit afraid" The sunlight
lay glintlng upon the surface, the high
mossy rocks were festooned with the wild
IVY and bitter-sweet, their yellow and
scarlet berries contrasting with the dark
green OF the overhanging cedars. Back of
tncse were groups of lichen- covered trees.
through their tops the. blue sky appeared,
IN SOFT, isolated bits of azure. A sea gull
dartcd down to the water, and, skimmlng
along its surface, suddenly rose, aud sailed
away over the tree tops. Minnie followed
it with her eyes until it was lost to view.
Iheh catching sight Of struggling tree,
lts boughs all aiiame with the gold and
scarlet, the russet-brown, and tho purple
unts OF autumn, she pulled IN close to
siore, ana, standing upon tiptoe, tried to
pluck some of tho bright leaves Sudden
~ she heard tho dip of all oar, and the
next instant light boat shot ont from tho
opposite side OF tho abrupt anglo Of the
rock. She uttered little exclamation of
surprise, and looking up found herself face
10 lace with Iorrey, who apparently was
as much surprised as herself, and SO thro wn
OH bis guard was he that he forgot not only
to doff but even to adjust the ''sou wester''
that rested upon the back of his head, the
rim touching his coat collar. - "y
"Shan't get 'em for you2" said Tor
rey, as he saw her holding fast to the trio
OF limb. He did not wait for an an
swer, but with few vigorous strokes
brought the bow Of his boat beneath the
rocks, and, rising to his full length, broke
on several branches of the flame -colored
leaves and handed them z to- her. She
thanked him, and was about TO pull away,
When little wild autumn flower fell into
inc water Torrey instantly leaned over
ana picked 1t up as 1t hoatcd between
them. Ho paused moment, their eyes
met; he raised tho flower and pressed 1t
reverently to his lips, and then tossed it to
her. SAe took 1t disdainfully, and then
hung + away, with pout upon her pretty
lips. The next instant the two were pui.
ling In opposite directions. The thoughts
OF both were busy. Toirey, though re-
GREETING that he had "madc such q fool Of
himsef," found it qSite Impossible to
swallow the big lump that kept rising in
his throat, besides, there was a. certain
"goncncss' In the region of the heart that
he had never before experienced.
Minnie, though very much aifrontcd at
the liberty he had presumed. ITO otalse,c ,ccouid
not help wishing, after all, she had not
been quite 80 hasty, and wondered when
there would beIanotl.er. ''squall. ~ ! tS
Weeks passed, ,(andS every day d pair of
dark eyes watched for the Iceland Waif,"
With STorrey at her helm, and, although, a
light, trim boat. With white sails that