The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-12

Iney may ABUSE lt. Ih6y lnhaie It's sal
breeze with their earliest breaths, its foar
and spray beat on them, until it become
part OF them as it were, and they are a
much creatures OF the waves as the fishe
that swim beneath or the gulls that iOa
above. 80 it was that when Willie grey
dlscontented with his earnings as a fisher
man he went to sea to make more money
In the hope of wedding me the sooner.
Il was not strong enough for a fisher
mans wife, he said, land he hoped to b
cared
Though | was small l was not delicate
and could, and indeed did, carry the cree
| as well as the best of them. For my mothe
married again, and when she died Their
| were more little mouths to fill, and no on
| but me to do it; for their father was lazy
drunken good-for-nothing. who fell owe
the cliff one night when he was rolling
] home from the ''Old Ship lna," and did NJ
| good after Lucky for them and for me
| though it sounds queer to say it, he did no
live long TO be burden; but we had some
hard times, now and then, when the
weather was rough and there was no fist
| TO sell Only for the BARNS | would have
| been housemaid at the vicarage, for which
Mis-: Ashford had had me trained before
mother died; but could earn more money
doing as the rest did, and look after the
little ones at the same time.
The men favored me in the matter OF
fish, because they thought | had a stiffish
hill to climb, and will say that nobody
was kinder than Edam Carr. believe be
was really fond of me, and l often re-
proached myself that / could not help
shrinking from him. But was not alone
in that dread. They called him BLACK
Edam, for nickname, because he looked
so grim and sour. None of the men ex-
changed greetings with him when he
stalkei alone past their friendly groups;
nor did any of the girls laugh and joke with
him. With one consent he was left alone.
Wen. you see. here was a bond of union
between Us in his eyes. They looked on
me as on one doomed, and on him as one
unlucky, or unhappy, which means the
Elsie" he would say, looking down at me
with his great gloomy eyes: 1--WE were
made for one another, we twO.b
But used to shake my head and run
away, though dared not offend him by
contradicting him otherwise. He got
grlmmer and blacker as time went on, and
| did not forget my Willie, as perhaps
Edam hoped 1 should
The weather was uncertain that autumn,
and there was little dependence on the fish.
Some days the boats were not off at all !;
some days they had no fish when they
landed. l got work where | could. but
those three mouths at home took lot of
SdIlSl ing ana often went 10 D6Q hungry
and cold along with them.
One afternoon | was wandering rather
disconsolately on the beach, feeling low
and hopeless, wishing for Willie and better
days, when Edam, who was busy in his
boat, called to me as passed by.
Elsie, come here and tell me what you
think o. my boat!' he cried in a more
CHEEKY voice than usual. and, glad to be
good natured when could. l stopped and
admired the fine new boat he had just
bought with the money an uncle had left
him.
But you've got no name for her." l
said at last; what are you going to call
her!r
That depends on you,' he replied look
would name her The Bonnie Elsie.'m
That would never do, l thought in min
ute; it would be all over the place at once
that Edam Carr had called his boat after
Elsie Wilson, and that she was ''off with
the old love and on with the new"
You mustn't do that" l demurred as
gently as L could; theirs prettier names
and lsssies, too, for that matter, in the
place"
His face changed for the worse in mo-
ment, and an angry light blazed in his
eyes
Pm not to hev yer name, then, fer-bye
1T wouldn't do. Edam; folks would talk
Willie might be vexedn went
On hesitatingly. What a coward l was to
be sure! 1t was with the greatest difficulty
in the world managed to bring out my
real objection. And vet | was so proud
Of being Willie's sweetheart.
He's not yer man yet, that he shonld
mind" Edam replied sulkilY, and then
Inder his breath: May be he never will
De. either"
heard the end of the sentence, low as it
vas muttered.
AN what's to hinder, if we're both of |
me mind about it's l said sharply, losing |
nv temper bit at his obstinacy.
who knows! He might get a wife |
where he's gone, and he might never come |
pack at all"
Dye want to quarrel vii me, Edam."
No, no, Elsie, we Wilma quarrel" he |
aid at once. I'm a bit queer in the tenn
'er. but l wouldn't like to vex you''
I'm goin' to try the new boat; will We |
venture out wi me, laSsie!" he went on |
quietly after a moment.
l did not know what to say. It would |
lot be wise to offend him more than had !
'een unlucky enough to do already. There |
vas no harm in sailing out a mile or so, |
providing he would promise to bring me |
Jack again. But could l trust him! His |
mother, old Mamie Carr, had come I'D
While we were speaking and she took part |
With him.
Its not much to ask We, Elsie, and it'll |
lease him ever SOL He's gey-queer to do |
ve' just now, lassie," she said aside to me.
If We can humOr him bit We might for
mas sake!"
She was a kind neighbor, and often the
Arms got dinner from her when was
way, so did not care to refuse her. II
he saw no harm in it, who else would dare
D talk!
Still heSitated
Dye think it's safe? The sea has been
allin' off and on all the day. Listenm
And in the hush which so often precedes
gale we could distinctly hear that strange
loaning, about which we always say:
The sea is calling"
Edam threw a quick glance along the
Orizon.
It'll blow hard afore the morn. but
lere's time enough to be out and in again
IT all that
There was something in the tone which
ade me doubtful. but l did not want to {
EN- coward; so before long we were out
l the open sea, lacking and turning to | !
Itch the breeze. There was more of that
rther out than on shore, but still not
Tough to send us along merrily, although 5
q new boat was as light and swift. and
Sv to manage as any boat could well be. 6
I'd skinned the waves like a bird.
''She's bonnie one to go, Edam, said. !
ter little, but l got no reply. Edam .
t with his eyes fixed upon the distant
V, and l could see he was thinking some
ing over very deeply. l followed the di- :
elton of his eyes and did not like the >
aspect. A CLEAN of sickly yellow light 9
v low down to the water, but above that q
ere piled masses of heavy gray clouds, !
ithout break, save in one place, where =
was As though mighty hand had pushed
EN- aside to make space for the tenn !,
st to break through. All around this !,
ace was hurry and confusion, while the !,
st of the sky was sullen and quiet. Far =
{ the sickly CLEAN on the horizon was
peated on dark green sea; nearer. the =
rk waves were beginning to show tops
white.
did not like the prospect, nor did like II
3 notion of being ont there on that angry Z
'king waste of waters at the mercy of !
am Carr and his caprices. =