The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1881-11-11
A ROMANCE OF THE SEA.
Aow AN ENGLISH LADY POUND A FRENCH
HUSBAND.

as follows
1t was the bathing hour on the beach at
Etretat, and the bathers were making merry
I in the water, decending and ascending the
long line Of planks which were laid over the
pebbly beach from the bath house to the
waters edge.
Down the planks walked, follow a party
of well known English. a newcomer closely
wrapped in white peignoir, with her face
almost concealed with the broad straw hat
tied down with a strip of scrlet at the wa
ter's edge she threw aside The pegnoir,
showing a tall, fine figure, and the bathing
costume, which was made after the fashion
adopted in the place-sleeveless, and only to
the knees. 1t was evidently her first bath at
Etretat, and as she stepped into the water
she looked round with prudis b, haIf-timid
l0ok-not to be wondered at-upon the
crowd Of witnesses, for, as the beach is very
steep and pebbely, and the tides form ter
races with the rocks, the spectators lounge
within few feet Of the waters edge, and
friends, one swimming in deep water, the
other reclining upon the dry shingle, can, by
raising their voices a little, converse with
each other.
OuI llt" GOLlFE was illC ld1b U liti part y
to step into the water, and as she hesitated,
did not notice the huge wave approaching
but Jerome, the bather. did, and just as the
wave struck, grasped her in his arms as the
water closed over them. There was a shout
of laughter and scrambling on the beach for
the tide lad turned, and, the water bathed
the feet OF several unprepaIed. Tho wave
receded, unveiling the pair-the English
lady and the bather a handsome group in
color and modelling; jerome, a tall well
built Norman, with clear cut, large features,
ard honest eyes shaded by the sailors 6eret,
resembling the Scotchman's bonnet, and
wearing a red-fannel shirt and black pants,
that being soaked showed the modelling of
his athletic figure. He held my lady like a
child across his arms, hers were around his
neck, and her white feet, incased in pretty
canvass shoes hanging down close together,
were pretty flush to the composition.
This ali happened years ago. And Miss
Graham fingered in the village after all the
summer que sts had departed, being amongst
the last bathers, and forming one OF the lit.
tie group which still dined at the end OF the
hotel table that had been so crowded only a
few weeks before.
She fingered until the herring season be-
gan. Que morning, when l had with much
effort, prompted by curiosity, crawIed out OF
warm bed just before daylight to see the
boats return, l found her on the beach be-
fore me amongst the fshwives, who did not
seem to think it strange that an English lady
should be eccentric.
She was warmly dressed, and wore a beret
which, although tied down with veil, gave
her something of a sailor-like appearance
not out OF keeping with the place.
( This morning Jerome's hoat was neares
me, or perhaps it was because Miss Graham
was nearest Jerome's boat that l happened
to be there and when I remarked to her on
the manly appearance ut jerome, and addeS
that there was a tradition that the iuha oi
tants of these parts were descended iron
the Danish kings, was I surprised at TN,
warmth of her acquiescence in what ha,
only said for the sake of making converse
ton, and more so when / saw the recognition
that passed between the two?
jerome was a master fisherman" h
owned bis boat, was captain and had III
lions share OF the profits. And as he stoo,
there, his broad back braced against tn
boat, dressed in a brown OeTet woven Jerse,
and leather boots up to the thighs, was eve
" inch a man, and l could imagine lin
playing any heroic part, except the one %,
was acting-that of Romeo.
How it came about l never knew, although
I 1 heard several versions of the story; Du
they married. Yes, an English lady mar
ried a Normandy fisherman. She was fin
agreeable and Intelligent. lie was, iu the
language of his cJmrad-s, "unJeau male, +,
good fellow, houOred by his confTeres ior hr
. frankness IN speech and for hIs eXtraoTdina
~ strength. He had fuI, rich VOICE, rich
er, perhaps, as he used pure Normandy pa
tots
The wedding day Was a holiday in Etre
tat; not boat went out, but ali were haul
ed up on the beach, and decorated wit
flags the church was crowded al wishe,
to shake hands with tile bride and groom
and set up a hearty shout as they started Oi
the journey in carriage trOuI the churc
steps.
They returned to Etretat and Quilt "coJ
tage by the sea, the prettiest one Oi tm
group to the north OF tie Casino Ana her
they seemed very happy, and if tile brid
ever regretted her own relatives, size ha,
enough of his to console her, for her nus
baud was related to hall the village.
Do you want the end OF this story? 1t
short. During the first year vi tins strange
ly assorted couples life, monsieur, wismn
to adopt the manners OF his new position
went out hunting with party Uf gentiemeu
and was wounded oy an accidental discharg
OF his gun, and died shortly afterwards =
His widow still mUuTns mis- loss, comes eve
~ summer to the pretty but lonely cottage
and heads the list of charities.
All the fishermen speak of him As un bo
garcon, and would be very much surprise
and perhaps show resentment il one shuul
suggest that it was strange affair.
l have lot given with this history the rea
name of the lovers. You will find the tru
ones on the window of she church at Etreta
the tsird on the right. II represents I'll
Virgin with the child in her arms, but o
this 81. Sauyeur'o day strangely reminde
me of the first time saw Jerome aud Mi,
Emily.
'DEN Don't TALK. "A colOred woma
was up before New York judge. not ion
since, charged with cruelty beating her 10,
Il don't understand bow you can have Il
heart to treat your own child so cruelty
'Jcdge, has you been parent OF a wufle
yaller boy like dat az cub oO mine -
Never ! Nc, never - calculated the judI