The Penn's Grove record., 1885-04-18

ACANAANtH "AANN - NAA1S JSt
have been, mr. dearl l have left Launee-
lot Murray at home"
Jack had always been an early riser.
The next morning he was up at day
break, and went out for a row across
the bay, and a bath. Coming back, he
was startled at steps pausing close
above him. and a voice that thrilled him
to tue heart saying softly
IAN Is forgotten, Launcelot; love is
stronger for a little suffering"
"And | may hope again2" said the
mans musical eager voice.
"Indeed you may
Dear Florence, what do / not owe
to you-lOye, happiness. everythingl"
Only be true to yourself, " SAID Flor
ence-"Only be brave and strong"
Jack beard no more-the voices died
away, leaving the bitterness of their
words behind.
''Again, againl'' he muttered, rising
up pale aud stern. "What a fool | have
beenl Fool-fooll'
The children looked in vain for uncle
Jack that morning to romp with in the
| garden before breakfast. No one saw
him till after MONDAY. He came into
the study where Arthur was sitting, pre-
pairing his sermon.
His brother looked up laughing.
"Truant, where have you been2''
"Across the rocks" he answered, sit
ting down by the table and putting up
his hand to his white, haggard face.
"Miss Talbot and that fellow Murray
have been here all the morning. Miss
Talbot seemed anxious about the we'll
being of her teacher"
'Indeedln said Jack quietly.
Arthur leant back smiling, perfectly
unconscious of the agony his gay words
were giving.
'DO you know, my friend, a certain
lady has certainly lost her heart to you.
Dangerous work, teacmngi'
81 didn't come here to talk non
sense" said Jack, getting up hastily
and glanciny angrily at his brothers
happy smiling face. 'I'm going TO
Russia next week; l want you to tell
mother about it," 49,. =
Arthur rose amazed.
Jack, old fellow, are you in your
sensesp What's the matter?"
az am tired of Englaud-that's all.
This idle life will kill me in a few
months. | want a. dose of good hard
work. There-I am IN a bad temper; |
ought not to have come in yet; III go
and walk it off," He pushed the win
dow open and went out as he spoke.
Arthur let him go without speaking.
He was puzzled at his manner; for Jack
had generally a very sweet temper.
Disconsolate -hearted, Jack walked
on, not caring whittier he was going.
In his bitter thoughts he was deaf to
outward sounds, and woke to the fact
that somebody was calling him, only by
a hand g~rasping his shoulder.
"Bless my soul, Mr. Barham, are you
deaf ? | have made myself hoarse in
screaming after you. Come back. We
are gong out for a row, and we want
your help. Come"
"I'm not well; Pm tired"
"Stuff and nOnsensel Murray is a
fish out of water in a boat"
And, without needing the young
mans words. Mr.. Talbot dragged him
back to where Florence was standing
in boating costume talking to a fair
splendid looking man with light hair
that shone like gold in the sun. Intro
auctions took place. both the men star
ing at each other with calm indifference.
Jack hardly spoke to Florence. He took
one of the oars and rOwed out into the
bay; but not all MI. TalbOt's lively sal
lies provoked him to an answer of more
than two words. Mr.. Murray laughed
and talked gaIly; but the shadow of
Jacks mood seemed to have fallen on
Florence, and she hardly spoke.
'Come up to dinner, said Mr.. Tai
bot, when they returned to land; and
Florence said softly, do come" But
Jack was almost rude in his curt refu-
sal, walking off at once.
The first news that greeted Miss Tai
bot the next morning, when she came,
according to promise, to take the chill
dren for a walk, was that uncle Jack
was going to Russia and would never
come back. Miss Talbot said nothing
about the tldings. She walked silently
with the two boys over the sands.
(Which way shall we GOODWIN I'M
der the rOcks?' asked one of the boys
'If you like, my dear, she answered.
Uncle Jack has gone that way. /
hope we shall meet him. ASK HIM to
stay, Miss Talbot, +" said little Arthur.
1t was very sweet and pleasant in the
shade under the rocks. The boys al
on, enjoying all the wonders of the
shore, followed by Florence, who seemed
to have forgotten how time was passing,
Suddenly Arthur clapped his hands.
There's uncle JackI'' he cried.
Florence started, the bright blood
crimsoning her face.
"Come-it's time to go back" she
said hastily.
Butthe boysr ran on, needless of her call.
"Oh, uncle Jack, Miss Talbot is so
sorry you are goingl She is going to
ask you to stay
''You had better come to Russia with
me, Arthur" said his uncle, patting
his bright cheek,
Florence waited, hardly knowing what
to do, till Jack came up with the boys.
Il am afraid we have walked rather
too far," she said hastily. isn't the
tide coming up?"
Jack looked round him hastily.
''Yes, we had better hasten back.
Give me your hand, Johnnie"
He went on IN front, half lifting the
little boy over the rocks. Florence fol-
lowed, palned, ana wondering at MS
cold strange amer. They turned a
point where the whole extent of rocks
came into view. Jack stopped, his white
face growing winter. The tide was
sweeping up over the rocks, fresh and
glittering in the sunlight, the blue
waters flashing over the path by which
they had come. He turned to Florence,
who had advanced silently to his side,
saying hOarsely-
1--WE cannot pass. Look-the tide
has covered every spot Of ground; ii
will be mere Soon"
Florence looked at HIM, her face white
with terror.
''These dear children, " she said, clasp
ing Arthur IN his arms. "Oh, what
shall we do? Can t you save us2"
AZ will try" he answered, still not
looking at her "You take johnnie,
Miss Talbot. Come, Arthur"