Daily Republican., 1885-07-22
I" NEE ARD PARTED"
BY GUINEyERE.


over the sands. 1t was the hour of sun.
set, and faint, rosy glow pormeated
the atm mosphere 1t lay upon tho quiet
waters with here and there golden
tinge where the tiny waves overreach-
ed each other in their eager, noiseless
haste to touch the beach
Meditat .ng as he walked, his eyes
downcast, ne was surprised to be sud
denly confronted by solid wall OF
stone. 1t reared above his head several
feet, and there were tufts of long, wav.
ing grass growing at the top.
Stepping back few PAGES he saw q
low rooted white cottage with high,
narrow, stone tower attached, and the
pcrplexed look in his eyes vanished.
The Norton lighthouse" he NUT
tered. " 1 did not think l had strayei
so far. Why, am two miles from the
village, at least Now that I Am here,
l may as we'll investigate. Where are
the steps, wonder"
He made his way to the other side of
the miniature cliff and toiled up the
narrow wooden planks, guarded on
either side by q rude railing. A few
moments later he stood At the cottage
door awaitinga a response to his sum.
mons.
There was the sound OF slow, heavy
footsteps, the door swung back. and on
the threshold an old, gray haired man
leaning upon staff nodded welcome
to the handsome young stranger.
Yes, you can come in" he said in
answer to Gerard's query. Visitors
are always welcome here at any time,
and they ve been coming In plenty late
lly. Reckon you want 10 go up in the
| tower"
"I should like to. have heard there
is fiue view from the top"
That there is, sir. I'll call my
! daughter she'll lead the way. I'm u
bit tired. Salome, Salome :"
g Yes. father" answered a clear
young voice from the ad Joining room,
aud into their presence came girl OF
slender build and dark, wild beauty
Over her plain. dark gown was
twisted a scarf Of gsudy hue, and her
black hair fell unbound to her supple
waist. Round her throat and wrists
were cla8ped bands of amber heads and
standing there before him she seemed
to Gerard q living representation OF
some quaint, foreign picture he had
seen, u creature from another world
than that he had known.
The gentleman wants TO go up in
the tower, Salome," said the old light
house keeper. -" I'm tired"
a" Yes, yes all right. father. Sit still
aud rest. Come, sir. follow me, and
be careful-the way is dark.
| She spoke to him quite indifierently
almost au ;horitatively and scarcely
glanced at the well form and
handsome, blonde face of the mar
who rose at her bidding and climbed
after her the narrow, winding stairs
till pushing aside q low sliding door
she ushered him out upon the balcony
that encircled the to wer Just be low the
broad strips of glass, through which
every night the beacon light tiared ou
upon the darkness.
The wind WAS blowing, and it caugh
the dark hair and huttering scarf of thu
maiden and brought to her cheeks &
rosy glow.
Gerard watched her in nndisguisei
admiration. There was something fas
cinating to him In the easy grace of th'
liss ONE figure, in the low. sweet voice
in The calm, lustrous eyes but, seem
ingly unconscious of the emotions sh
had awakened, Salome stood besid
him, her face turned to the sea, on
slim, brown hand resting lightly on tn
low railing.
"Have you always lived here?" h
asked, quite regardless of the scene be
fore hun.
Yes, always"
" And do you never find it lonely ?'
i She turned her beauti tiiul eyes upol
him with q fieeting look of inexpressi
ble longing, and then caught her breat
with little sigh.
Sometimes. But see, you are losin
this lovely view; in little while tn
sun will be gone, and things look 9
different then"
+" Yet the scene remains"
Yes, bat the light makes the diftei
ence."
but how much depends on the ligh
with which we view 1.-THE couleur d
rose of JOY and hope or the gray mist
: disappointment and despair.
With thought of this in his mind
for Gerard was a trifle philosophi
at times, he turned to survey tn
stretching expanse OF water. dotte
/ klere and there with tiny sails. th
white, pebbly beach and distant village
Svhere the gilded spire of the old churc
/.
,, of the sun and then was lost, as slowl
the light hues faded and twilight shade
appeared dimly.
1--WE have had several visitors to
. day." said Salome, as they turned
, go. See, they wrote their names hei
on the stones under the easement"
Gerard bent to read where the slendt
fingers traced, and then, his eyes vi
~ Sat, n
rography.
she is an old acquaintance of min
Do you remember her? When was 81
here?
LAST summer. remember vel
She was 30 pretty and pleasant. ST
!, came here with a party of friends. b,
they were only passing through Il
,, place. DO you know her, then =? Oh
she WAS 30 beautiful "
Gerard did not answer, but somethin
! like q smile curved his lips, and b
a eyes softened.
He went down the dark stairwa
with Salome behind him. Near tt
=. landing her foot caught in roug
place on the step, and size flung out ht
hands involuntarily.
Her com mpanion caught them, and fl
one instant he felt the ligbt form leal
Ing upon MIN, the dark, wavin
) hair brush kis cheek, the pressure {
coft fingers.
"Oh, 40 awkward! / was afraid
, would fall. You would think the plao
!. new to me-" said Salome.
Aer tones were low and even, aud th
u shadows hid her bushes.
Now for long walk sighe
q Gerard at the door, AN Instant late
: but 6alome caEe forward with
am {la