Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-04-17
THE RIVALIlOVERS.

"CheerIly bows !" shouted the mas
ter. I've must he nearing the coast.
Hold hard the helm, jean /! Make fast
the rope, Pierre !"
Over the raging sea the fishing
smack shot like fash. The previous
day they had set out amid superb
weather. There was a stiff breeze,
covering with light foam the waves,
upon the surface of which the sun was
mirrored with bright silvery reflections.
Nevertheless, on passing the lookout
house Pere Landure, the master had
paused with an uneasy air. In less
than an hour the barometer the column
of mercury which glittered at the door,
had fallen a centimetre. The oil man
had remained there second, seeming
to reflect. Then he had glanced at the
sky shifted the wind. and had ended by
struggling his shoulders. A tempest
in such weather, was that possible ?
He would have felt it, he who scented
the gales day in advance, and he did
not scsnt anything at all, save good
catch of fish The barometer was GER
tainly wide of the mark.
That was why Pere Landure had set
out with his two young men, Pierre
and Jean.
Where they his sons I? No. Pere
Landure had only daughter Marie,
the pearl of the coast, superb lass of
20, robust and delightful, with eyes of
velvet and skin like ripe peach.
Pierre and Jean were mariners of the
district, very resolute fellows, persist
ent workers, understand ing their bus
iness, whom lie had employed for a
year psst to go fishing in his vessel.
With them everything went splendidlv
1t was question which of the twain
had most heart in his toll. They were
genuine rivals, forsooth The master
had his suspicious as to what caused
this laudable zeal. The young fellows
were after his daughter. That was
clear. There was a struggle between
them as to which of the pair should de-
serve to be accepted as Marie's hus-
band. Well, let that go ahead I! Pere
Landure was not disturbed His
daughter was sage, and sound in mind
as we'll as in body. When she wished
she would make her choice, and every
thing would be arranged.
She would perhaps do we'll not delay
too long, all the same. For to wait
thus IN impatieuce is not the best thing
for two lads equally smitten For a.
bout month past Pere Landure had
detected black looks between them, or
Jeans side particularly who was
more ardent than Pierre, more chOler
ic also, perhaps. AID more underhand.
But all that would be settled on the
wedding day and the rejected lover
would console himself with a double
share of cider. 1t would not be the
FIRST time such thing had been seen
vexation drowned IN stout bumper
and pretty girls were not scarce in the
neighborhood
Meanwhile they had worked hard al
the afternoon, very calmly. But sud
denly toward 4 o'clock, the breeze hat
freshened.
Hola sailors, what does this mean
Pere Landure had raisPd bis head. pu
his hand above his eyes and scanned
the horizon. Down there, away dow
there, black cloud was scurrying a
long at the utmost speed.
Let GO behind - the master ha
shouted, ''and make for land -
And they hastened toward the coast
But suddenly the wind had shifted
driving the vessel before it toward th
open sea. What tempest, great Ju
piter Never had the two young fel
lows, never had Pere Laudure himself