The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-06-23
A STRANGE MEETING.

\ pretty bruncttc of eighteen. will
smooth, glowing cheeks, and the bright
est of black eyes, said this Ia her lover
Frank Marlin-a go~od-looking youn,
purSer belonging 10 the sloop of war Lion
from which he had obtained leave of all
sence for a few weeks.
The tive stood on the porch of a cottage
in the little seaport town where the cir
resided with her aunt, and there. for tn,
last half-hour, Frank had been vainl,
trying Ia persuade the young lady To be
counc his wife before he should have Ia .,
back To his ship.
u" Gou speak very decidedly, Gertrude
he @ remarked. Have | been mis-
taken in thinking that Won loved me Will
your whole heart?'
You know l do" she said, reproach
fully.
Perhaps it is only in a halfway fash
ion," he responded bitterly. We hav,
known each other for two years, ant
| am sure We are both old enough I,
marry"
1T is not our being 50 young thai
makes me object; il is our p~ccuniary po
sition."
Il think YOU are too practical" he said
Il would like Il lite more romance
Where two people really love they are
not apt To count the gold and silver that
will 20 with it,"
The pretty brunette smiled but there
were tears in her soft black eyes.
1t is for your sake" she said. at
would gricvc me and make me wrctched
to see you struggling in vain 10 support
me"
MY salary is enough To begin on. In
time | may be promoted and get more.'
True: but is il not better To wait Il few
years until | am twenty-one? Then W
will be sure"
sure of what, Gertrude"
"Of our exact position in Il pccuniary
sense"
That "pecuniary" grated on Frank,
ears.
iIastv in his conclusions as Young PEG
pie are apt to be. it now occurred to hin
that Gertrude WAS of Il cold, mercenary
disposition, and that she could not love
him as he would wish to be loved by IN,
woman he should take for his wife.
Once for all, Gertrude he said firm.
~. | am resolved not To wait three wears
" If you persist in refusing to be mine be
fore | join my ship, You and | must par
for ever-that is, if you consent
Gertrude had a spirit of her OWN. Iiei
eyes flashed as she answered
81 do refuse: but il is because | love
you 50 well Still, if YOU are decided that
we part for vcr"-hcrc her voice faltcrcd
a little absolvc you from any prom.
Uses YOU have made To me"
" Ii l. well. Goodbye" he said.
And away he went, now feeling quit,
convinced that Gertrudc's love for him
was not very deep.
From that moment the Young girl'
happy, light-hearted laugh was seldom
heard in the cottage.
She did moi become either pale or thin
but her manner was more serious than
ever before, and once or twice her aunt
surprised her with tears in her eyes.
She questioned her, and Gertrude own
ed that she and Frank were parted prob
ably for ever.
Months rolled on.
The young girl suffered deeply but NJ
complaint ' passed her lips.
"You want change of scene, Gertrude,
said her aunt, who was much attached Il
her niece. We will 20 To Australia"
Gertrude smiled family. The speaker.
n.John, an industrious man had writer
that he WIS doing Il thriving business,
there, and had invited his mother am
causin to come over and pay him Il visit
The girl knew that her aunt had always
wished that She and John would take I,
each other.
She readily consented 10 20 to Austria
liza: and in due time the two went on
their way on board the ship Walrus,
The vessel had Il good swift passage
and reached her destination in Il few
weeks.
John Williams, the son of Gertrude
aunt. having heard from the latter of In
cousins disagreement with her lover
did his best to please and win her, bu'
all in vain.
Her absent manner when in his com,
panv b%ctokened that she WAS alway'
thinking Of Frank Marlin, the only mai
She could ever love.
After spending Il year i'll Australia
Gertrude significd her wish 10 return
home.
Accordingly, she and her disppointeo
aunt sailed for England aboard the Wing
field. n of the best ships then in port.
The vessel experienced much rough
weather. and one morning the captair
found himself in the vicinity of the Aus
trial Islands, which were right under hi
lee. with Il heavy gale driving his shiI
directly towards the rocks.
The ocean foaming and roaring, anc
covered with flying spray, sent huge roll
inc waves against these rocks, 50 that a
times they were almost hidden by tn,
white sheets of water that flew up nearly
to their SUBMITS.
II was a fearful sight To the occupant
of that craft. which seemed doomed Il
stricke upon those frowning rock walls
In such a gale the skipper could no
veer ship; neither could he keep he
close enough to the wind TO clear thu
masses. while to keep off would only b'
to hasten her own destruction, as "A linz
of breakers extended from the rocks, II
a semi-circle. some hundreds of fathomi
in length.
Gertrude and her aunt were now oI
deck.
The latter, pale with terror, wrung he
hands piteously, but her young compan
ion appeared TO be o calm, although
She. too. WAS much terrified.
a,-.