, 1884-10-05
JOE BARREIT'S CON
FESSI0N.

Ono nth day OF August, not many years
ago, n party Of four, consisting Of Joe Barrett
and his wife, their most intimate friend. Phil
SoineIs, and Mis- Maud Mortimer, a young
lady they hoped be might 10 induced to coz
slider the future Happiness OF his existence.
stood quite alone upon n narrow strip of fand
on the Long Lland soast, not far from the
great metropolis Joe Barrett and hi' wife
Ia long ago been given over by their
relatives anil friends, and the genial
circle Of society they adorned. as an
ollfa .hioned couple that prolonged their
honeymoon 10 a most unprecedented and I'M
heard-of period. They had lntely celebrated
their silver welding, and for the amusement
OF others and the romance for themselves
would have gone through with the original
ceremony again had 1t not been for a serious
obstacle. The clergyman was still alive and
vigorous for his year, and Phil Somers, Joe's
best man at his wedding, was yet his best
friend, but the pale, pretty little bridesmaid
had vanished long ago off the face of the
earth, and become one Of that shadowy
band 10 which we call, and they answer not
again.
There was a rumor that II she had lived
she yould have become tho wife OF Phil
Somers, thus making the happiness Of the
-four complete. Il was currently believed
that because Of this tender and romantic cpl
sode OF his life, Phil Somers had remained a
bachelor In his younger days this apparent
halo Of soft regret and unappeasing longing
lent q melancholy grace to his already pleas
ing exterior. and many n damsel endeavored
70 console him. But although he was gcntle
and even chivalric TO all w%omankind, be re-
manned, 10 all matrimonial intents and pur-
poses, u~nconsoled.
And here 10 was, a bachelor still, 50 years
old, getting rather grizzled about the temples
and crow-footed about the eyes, bronzed by
his Partially for the open air, thin but mus
cular, tall but straight; while Joe Barrett
and his wife might pass for "fat, fair and
forty though they were not 80 many years
Pills juniors.
And here they were, plotting US lively as
ever for Pills connubial bliss The present
victim OF their tolls, although no longer in
her first youth, would have seemed so ia any
other light but the critical one Of sun against
sand; and now that thick bands OF gray
clouds lay heavily across the sky, tempering
the b%rilliancy OF the suns ray, and the
young lady had pulled her veil about the
outlines OF her face, Miss Mortimer seemed
ut the heydny OF her charms.
While waiting for dinner, which WIS IN
process OF preparation in a long, low hostelry
a dozen furlongs or so inland, they had
strolled down TO the waters edge, and, true
TO the plan In hand, Joe Barrett had pulled
his wife's chubby hand through his arm and
trotted her away from Phil and tho young
lady.
Let's leave them alone together for
awhile" said Joe. at seems a propitious
time for love-making, and l hope something
will come OF to-day's trip, Polly; I'm getting
awfully tired Of working like a pack-horse
for hills happiness
While strolling along they INDUCED In a
spirited conversation about Phil and the
matrimonial projects in which they had been
engaged on his account. At last Joe re-
marked, looking fondly at his vito: sd be
the happiest fellow in the world II Phil could
10 happy too
His wife shook his arm im~patiently.
"See here joe she said, II hin you are
absurd about Phil Somers, and you may as
well understand, once for all, that il this
thing falls through I'm not going TO bother
about his marrying at all. IL none of your
business or mine. l don't believe he wants
b marry, anyway. Some natures are so
constituted that they can only love once, and
I believe all the love Phil had to give any
one was squandered long ago on our dear lit
tie bridesmaid After all, there's something
very sweet and touching in his remaining
faithful to the one memory all these years. "
Joe shifted uneasily from one foot to the
other. He picked up a stone and sent it
savagely whirring over the water.
Polly" he said, IL think III take a plunge
in the sea. II will tone me up, and give me
an appetite for dinner. There's a bathing
suit in one OF tho little cribs behind u.s.
Look at that big black cloud, joe
Il won't stay in long, Polly" He gave
his wife a tender squeeze, looked down upon
her with an expression hat seemed to say
he'd kiss her II Il wouldn't shock Miss Morti-
mer's sense Of propriety, ran up to the bath
ing-house, aud, to the surprise of Phil and
Mis- Mortimer, presently disappeared in n
huge green wave That covered them with its
spray.
"Joe Is u regular water-dog,n said Phi.
Miss Mortimer made no reply. She had
not come down TO the seashore that day "a
listen to laudations of Joe Barrett and his
wife, Miss Mortimer felt that she had nc
time to lose, and was resolved 10 waste nc
words upon Joe BARRETT maritime proclivi.
ties.
Phil, however, kept his eyes upon Joe as
he swan out to the open sea, and went or
talking about him without requiring any
special reply.
Joe is a little impulsive and reckless, per.
haps,n said Phil, "but he's a capital swimmer. y
1T is growing cold, ~ said Miss Mortimer,
contracting her shoulders in that graceful
way that some women have Of making ever
a SILVER attractive.
Phil remembered with remorse that hel
wrap vas hanging forgotten upon his arm
He hastened to put it about her shoulders,
but the wind, which was rising to a gale
made this effort a prolonged one.
Don't you hate the windf' said Mis-
Mortimer, coquettshly.
Il am never ungrateful, p said Phil, cap.ur
1 tpU fta atnIa ~ fhn ala.I .-,t. - h.lls..
them fast this time about her slender form
A keen look Of incipient triumph hashet
from Miss Mortimer's eyes. Phil's words al
ways seemed to mean SO much more thar
they said. And she could not, unfortunately
see that his eyes were still looking fixedly
over her head upon the water beyond tn,
surf.
A shaft or two OF wild light flashed dow
upon the scene An ominous rumble from
the clouds mingled with the roar Of the sea
Suddenly the earth and sky were enveloped
in Il binding glare. In this spectral light
Phil distinctly saw jos Barrett fling his arm
wildly aloft and disappear in tho darkness
Phil threw off his shoes and his coat as h.
ran to the sea, and Miss Mortimer had greai
difficulty in rescuing his vest, which wa
nearly carried out by a returning wave
Her costume was drenched with the spra,
and she nearly lost her footing, but She saveC
the waistccat, which contained Pills watcl
and other valuatles. Then she hurried /,
the shelter Of The bathing houses, for the niI
now began 70 fall heavily. Through TIT
blackness Of the storm she saw the white fac
OF u woman. Miss Mortimer knew it wa
Mrs. Barrett running wildly down to tn
water, but she attempted NJ remonstrance
She had made up her mind that OF the part,
" four that went down to the sea that da,
two would probably never return, perhap
three. 1t was impossible TO say what nigh
happen where such inpulsive people wsr
concerned.
Ererr smnker ahnnIh In. Mimi