Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-11-06
RESCUED BY LOVE.

torturing me. why can't you answer
my questions"
The face of tho young man wore y
petulant look. and the tones of his
strong. manly voice had an arbitrary
ring, which nettlcd the willful girl he
was addressing.
A pair of bright eyes flashed defiance
in tho handsome face of Rex Thornton,
and the girls crimson lips curled scorn-
fully.
What right have you, Mr.. Thornton,
TO speak to me IL that way? l am not
forced TO answer questions, wise or
otherwise, and yours i consider any
thing but wise. ;"
A charming picture she WAS TO look
upon. despite the frown upon her pretty
piquant face, her petite form drawn to
its fullest height (the merest triilc over
five feet), her saucy head thrown back,
as though Rex Thornton's pleasure or
displeasure were alike things of the Mt
most indifference TO her.
So at least thought tho young sailor
who had reused this storm of feminine
Indignation by asking ;hc young lady,
in his blunt, pointed fashion, 10 marry
him, rs they sat, one afternoon, in the
little sitting room of Gwynn Cottage.
And then, as she refused 10 give him
definite answer, he arose to his feet
and made use of the words at the open
ing of this sketch.
You have given ME encourage
ment," he said, after moment OF per-
picked silence.
''And what if / have" she retorted.
Haven't you said over and over again
that / was heartless firt, and that
you wished some one would break my
proud spirlt?"
The bronzed face of Rex Thornton
flushed hotly.
"Who told you these thingsP" no
asked desperately, though his usually
bold brown eyes fell to the floor be-
meath the gaze of her blue orbs.
You do not deny it," she said tri-
tie bitterly, land in fact it would be of
little use. l heard you, myself, tell
Maud Grayson, at q party last year.
that was coquette, and now," and
here the ripe tempting lips curled
again, "you profess to love me and
make me an offer of marriage. Are
you striving to win my heart that you
may fling it away, and so accomplish the
noble task of breaking my spirit, Just
because | have been light-hearted and
happy, with a smile and jest for each
and all of my acquaintancesp-for of
lovers / have none, nor have encour-
aged serious attentions"
The defiant look had faded out of
her bright young face, leaving it white
with sudden pallor. and the blue eyes
were filled with an expression of pa
thetic regret which Rex Thornton, I'M
used rs he was TO the ways of women,
could not fathom.
"And so you set yourself deliberately
ut work." he said win deep bitterness,
Ito repay me for my rash, thoughtless
words by making me victim OF your
witching ways. l loved you mndly,
passionately, while you must have
hated me.
II did," she said gravely. still white
to the very lips.
He turned away TREMENDOUSLY, this
strong. athletic young man, who had
faced the keenest gales at sea many n
time with never thought of finching,
muttering hoarsely as he did so:
well, good by, Nell. did not in
tend 10 GO TO sea again, but shall take
my boat and GO over TO Grand Menan
Island. The Vulcan has not sailed,
she is lying at Bishops Head; and to-
morrow, perhaps. stormy sea will
bring me peace and comfort"
Her face grew even whittier, If possi-
bic, and she stepped forward rs ne
passed through the door.
But it closed behind him and Rex
Thornton did not see the ycarning.
hopeless look that shrouded the fair
face of the girl he worshipped with all
the strength of his passionate nature.
She watched his tall, strong young
form us he strobe down the road
seemingly not needing the keen Febru-
AIRY gale that swept across Quoddy
head, where Captain Gwynne's home
was situated, and tossed the dark wa
iers of the bay which rolled in white
capped waves between the bold head
land and the Island of Grand Menan,
rising like grim ocean monster some
miles away.
And this was tho end of her Irritation
or love affair with Rex Thornton for the
past three months.
At first he had been coolly indiffer-
ent. even cynical, and during this time
had made use of the language which
had so reused the spirit of the petted
daughter of old Captain Gwynne, a re-
tired sea-dog, who could not bear to
live elsewhere than beside the treach-
erous element which had been his home
for so many years.
As the winter wore away, the bear
ing of the young sailor, who had been
first mate of the Vulcan for number
of voyages, changed greatly. and he
became the most devoted aud ardent
admirer of the proud little beauty, who
received his every attention with the
utmost graciousness.
The Thorntons lived but short dis
ce from Captain Gwynne, and were
wise people of considerable proper
and the mother of Rex, whose love
tho sea was his principal reason for
wing its dangers, had induced her
to give up his rowing life, docis-
which was strengthened and con-
ned by the smiling face of pretty
II Gwvnne.
But all his bright hopes mad vanish
ed when this rude awakening camo,
and hastily packing few necessary ar
ticles, the young man kissed his weep
ing mother goodbye. and made his
way down to the cove where his boat
lay behind the shelter Of a pier.
1t was getting on toward March, ana