Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-11-20
The Burkes themsalges had been pre-.


in June, on account of the illness of
''Eaby Rue, {" and after her reco, cry they
had put off their trip until business af-
fairs should allow Mr.. Burke to accom-
pany them. ~
Now, alasl they were going to the
country, but under what altered circum-
stances, and without the father for
whom they had waitedl
A small, very small, income had been
left to Mrs. Burke after the settlement of
her husbands property, and with this,
and Jessie's earnings as dressmaker in
their small village, they were able to live
on quietly for year when something oc-
Cured which again changed the current
of their lives.
Over in the lighthouse pretty Mollie,
the daughter of the old Cap'n and. his
wife Martha, was going to the married,
and she had sent for Jessie, who was o
great favorite with the country bellies, to
come for four days and help her make
her wedding outfit.
II hate to leave you MOTHER Jessie
had said, ''and particularly at this time,
for it was near the sad anniversary of
her fathers death. But unselfish Mrs.
Burke had replied that Jessie was to go
by all means, for it would be change
for her, and besidesit would be a pity
to disappoint Molly Benson.
So Jessie went, and it is on the after
noon of her second day at '!Shining
Light" that we saw her in the beginning
of our story, sitting by the window and
dropping stray tears on Molly's brown
merino.
Leaving her there, we will return to
Reginald, who, when he came back from
his zap, year ago, had gone straight to
his rooms, and finding two letters on his
table, had carelessly taken up the upper
one and found it to be an announcement
OF his uncle's death and a COPY of his
will leaving him 500. 900. Mingled
with his grief at the death of his kind
benefactor, who had educated him. was
feeling of freedom and the thought
:ame that now he could marry jesse;
and tax ing up his hat he was about to
seek her. and coniidc to her his g ief and
good fortune, when his eye fell upon the
other letter, which he had not noticed
until now Opening it he found it to be
from Jessie. telling him the circumstances
Of her fathers death, and Of their pow
crty. and finally bidding him goodbye
for ever.
Since that day, Reginald had been
continually scar ching for his lost love,
but year had passed and he was no
wiser concerning her; and at length, al
most despairing he had started in his
yacht, with only his skipper for COM
pany, for cruise along the shores oS
Maine and Massachusetts,. They had
been out some days. and the vessel was
drifting a'ng near sandy belt of land,
in little Massachusetts harbor. 1t was
almost calm, and on the water lay
great fiocks of sea-gulls, which rose and
new away in every direction as the yacht
app cached, filling the air with the tlut-
tering Of wings, and their little hoarse
cries. At the end of the belt of land,
along which they were sailing, was
lighthouse, and they were rapidly ap-
preaching this point, when Reginald was
aroused from his reverie by an exclama-
ton from the skipper, who was unac-
customed 10 this locality, and had care
Iessly allowed the vessel to drift upon
sand-bar, near the main strip of land.
No damage was done, but as the tide was
rapidly receding, the further progress
,f the yacat was stayed, until such time
in the night as the tide should be sutfi-
3iently high to allow the vessel to. float
off.
Being in this predicament, Reginald
decided to wade TO the shore and go up
to the lighthouse in search Of atven
ures. SO leaving the skipper in charge
Of the vessel Reginald started for the
shore, promising to return within an
hour or two: and if he did not keep his
promise he surely is not to be blamed.
ieginald had not got far in his ascent
1f the sandy hill, which separated him
from the Lighthouse, when he encUunt-
cred an elderly man. who, seated upon
the sand, was engaged in Inending q net.
lie explained his presence there aud re
lated his accident to the man, who he
ascertained was the light keeper, and
who pressed him cordillIy to come up
and take supper with him, saying: 'The
Did woman'll be glad 'Dough ter see ye,
FUR strangers is few an far between at
the light; and she won't be bit put out
at yer stayin' ter supper, nuther, for she's
rot IA lot OF stuff corked up a purpose fur
comp'ny, fur our darter Mollys goin' ter
be married, an the dressmaker's over
from the village hclpin' of her sew"
Hoping for amusement and really
pleased with the old mans cordial hos
pitality, Reginald followed him up
toward the lighthouse, listening to
Cap N Henson lfor of course it was he) as
ae told of Molly and Mo ly's man, who
he said was "as | kelly young chap as
care ter see, and he and Jim (my son,
Jim owns schooner, the Molly Benson,
and they're up ter the Banks now fshin',
but comm home soon fur the weddin',"
he concluded contentedly. as they arrived
at the kitchen door, whc Reginald was
warmly welcomed by Mother" who
brought out fresh doughnuts and sweet
elder for his entertainment. Shcrtly
after Mrs. Benson entered the upper
room, where essie and Molly, who had
o ned her, were sewing busily. Come,
gal )" she cried, ''put up your work, fur
want yer ter CO ne an he p me with tho
supper. Molly, fur we want ter kind O.
ok up fur the younr gent, yer know: and