The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-02-11
WHAT KATE DEYINS DID!
Youths Companion

Inc girl nad come nom quebec on the
Government steamer; but she AS Massa-
chusetts girl, who had said size would stay
the remainder of her vacation on the island
of Anticosti, simply because every body told
her she could not possibly do il.
"What is the reason 1 can't?' she asked
her mother. Uncle and aunt stay on the
island all the time, and so does Benny"
II advise you not to CO." said her mother.
But why?"
Because you will be lonely and home
lex"
SIS that the only resson?'
YES"
Then shall 60"
Very well. If you do, sou will be obliged
to stay two months"
"Oh, of course, know that"
So it came about that Kate Devins step.
ped from the Government light-supply boat
to the shore of AnticOsti Island one day in
early summer.
She was alone. She had her sstchel in her
hand, and as she walked along the sAore her
light, grsy-clad figure stood out strange an
solitary on the waste against the blue sky.
AS the sound of the oars of the sailors in the
departing boat grew fainter and fainter, q
sensation something like fear came over her.
In a moment, however, she was herself
again. About her was silence and desola-
ton hat harmonized well with the belief
ths Acadians have that God gave up this
island TO gloom and despair ana bestowed
IL as heritage upon Cain. Stretches of
marsh land or acres OF rock lie barren be-.
meath the summer sun and the wintry
clouds.
Seldom is there any communication with
the island from the mainland, which, for
hundreds of miles, is nearly as desol ate as
the island itself. Once or twice in the sum.
Iner a sailing boat may call. No pleasure
seeker ever comes Sc md time. The Ca
PRECIOUS currents, the fogs, the shoals, call
for lighthouses here and there on the coast
and here many heroic deeds are done which
are never sung or told; and here was done
enc heroic deed about which 1 will now tell
you.
A small white house on q slight rise of land
a dozen rods from the water, had at one
corner of il tower running uD many feet
an the top of which was the light-chsmber,
or lantern, of the lighthouse. There was no
other habitation in sight.
Kate. ashamed of her sudden feeling of sor.
row and homesickness, now walked quickly
toward the little house. A door was thrown
open, and the stopped and worn form of a
woman appeared in the opening She looked
at the girl moment or two with an ex-
preston of wonder. Had some brilliant
bird OF the tropics lighted there, she would
have been less surprised.
1.-The land sskel" she cried. who be We?
Did ye come on the COMMENT stesmer?'
Eyes, ma'am," said Kate. "Don't you
know me?'
The woman's Door, faded face still had
something in il that reminded Kate of her
mother, and warmed her heart at the same
time that 1t made her eyes dim. She put out
her hand.
Pm your sister Mary's child" she said.
$50 you be! So you bel And 1 amt seen
you since you was fifteen months old. You'd
lest lost yer father then. Come inl Now
amt this treat? But you never Gao stand
it here in this lonely place; neverl No NOR
tai can stand 1T Come!
The woman kissed Kate on both cheeks
and drew her into the small room, which
was evidently kitchen, dining and sitting
room. She then hustled about, putting on
the teakettle and blowing up the fire in the
old stove.
did on come from Quebec? Beye goin'
back in the steamer
mo, Pm lot going back in the steamer"
answered Kate. The men will bring
my trunk here before dark. Mayn't l
stsy?"
''StayH The woman stood an instant and
looked at her visitor.
ST shall be wonderful glad to have ye. but
ye never can stand IL. Sister Mary never
could. How is she2"
Mother is well. She said couldn't pos.
sibly be contented here, aud perhaps that is
the reason / determined I would"
"But you can't" earnestly.
"You do, aunt"
at is my home, and I must stay here.
W u are dearly welcome, anyway"
Later, Kate watched the Government
steamer gliding away on what seemed a sea
of glass. 1t would be at least two months
before she would come again. Kate was
tanding on the beach looking at the vessel
when q loud scream SCUM 1ed close behind
her. She jumped, angry and startled, and
turning, cav, rod or two away, q boy OF
eight or nine years, who was dressed in a
checked blue shirt, with trousers of the
as a suspender. On his head was a round
glazed cap, with no rim or visor.
He has shrewd gray eyes and no front teeth
except one, that was Just showing itself, and
looked like an infant tusk. The two figures
stood and gazed at each other in silence.
At last Kate asked, severely
Why, do you yell in such hofrid way
as thst?''
"'Cause wanted to see if you could
move. I've been wstchin' Of ye for long
spell. Who be ye, anyway"
Kate Devins."
"Come on COMMENT steamer"
Eyes, came on that steamer. Who are
your
ION. Pm Benny Shafto."
'Not Bobby?'
He stared and did not answer.
"Tm your cousin, come to make you q
visit" She extended hand and received q
glimy hand in il.
"a Il
Devins," he said. and after looking at her in
silence q moment, they started to walk back
to the house.
Kate saw that he was shrewd and bright
beyond his years. But she thought bis father
and mother rather simple people She lay
thst night In her bit Of room upder the