Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-07-20

9'Well, then, let's look around for
bright ideas. There's that quaint old
ruin of lighthouse, now; what grand
view there must be from there! should
think it might be reached easily enough
in d row-boat, at high tide. Let's go out
one of these moonlight nights"
every well, I'm your man, responded
Stonebridge, in an absent way, as II he
were thinking of anything in the world
but the subject under discussion
Della and Miriam were prettier than
ever that evening when the boarders
gathered around the tea-table. and
colder.
The former gave poor Jay Folsom the
most frozen of mods as he came toward
her, and began to talk to Captain Bar
rett, who had Just moored the steam
yacht White Wings in the adjacent har-
Dor
Miriam pretended to be so deeply in
terested in fat little Mr.. Mcknight as not
to notice Mr.. StOnebridge at all.
The two poor young men had been
hungry enough after their long days
tramp. and the fried trout and bro led
chicken on the tea table had a most APP
petizing odor; but neither of them
cared to eat now.
1.-The Faound Tacwerw said Mr..
inquiries about boat, half an hour or
so later. Cont think of no such thing,
young gentlemen. 'Tain't nOthin' to
see when We get there but the old,
cracked walls and rusted-iron stairway;
and it amt nOways safe, nyther. Law
me and Almiry we've expected to see
that ar old ruin tOpple over into the
water every time the wind bowed hard
from the east for year. They must a
builded stoutey in them days than they
do now, er it would be a-gone long
ago"
But" said Folsom, tentatively,
''there must lie fine prospect from the
little lantern window"
''Crickety =" said Mr.. Bartlett, sucking
in his lips with a whistle. eye can see
all Great on"
''E cry WE'LL" said Stonebridge, nod
ding toward his companion; ''that's al
we want. Well camp there tonight,
Jay"
''We WILL" Folsom assented.
And in spite of mine hosts assevera-
tions that sit want safe,." and Mrs. Bart
let's shrill declaration that ''she hadn't
never heerd O. no such thing" they
rowed out in the last red reflections of
the sunset carrying the national flag at
the bottom of their boat
'"To morrow is the Fourth of JulYw
ssid Folsom, gaily. ''We'll hoist the
grand old flag from the Round
Tower. If you don't see the bunting
float from there tomorrow morning,
ladies and conference.-the the boarders
who had come down to the beach to see
them off you may know that we have
persisted in the deep, deep sea-"
Good grac Gus % cried Miss Daven-
nant, Historically. Don't say such
dreadful things, Mr.. Folsom"
And the other ladies joined in laugh
ing depreciation.
But neither Miriam nor Della uttered
word.
''Did you notice that they didn't
speak?" said Folsom, savagely, after
they had rowed quite a distance, with
long, energetic strokes.
res, noticed it."
"They don't care whether we ever
come back"
"NOt a row of pins!'
And the two lovers looked at each
other in blank despair.
Off in the east cloud-palaces of violet
mist were building themselves up. with
darker background of threatening black
ness.
eve shall have thunder Storm" said
Stonebridge. cit will be a new sensa-
ton to be in lighthouse mi out to
sea, in thunderstorm at night, en-"
Folsom neither heard nor answered.
He was thinking of Della.
The night of the third of July was in
tensely hot and sultry. No one could
sleep, and at midnight Della Bryce
spoke softly to Miriam, her bed fellow.
"Mirry, are you asleep!" said she.
81 haven't slept all night, Della. How
could l, with the distinct thunder roll
ing and muttering, and the air full of
electricity:"
"To morrow is the Fourth of July,
Miriam No." as the old clock on the
solemnly tolled midnight, ''to- day is the
Fourth of July. Let's get up and dress
ourselves, Miriam; we can't sleep. l
hear the Others talking down stairs"
'Well suppose we do" assented
Miriam.
do you think there will be much of
a storm, Miriam" whispered Della. as
the other twisted up her coils of shining
hair.
Il don't know, dear; hope not"
Il wish they hadn't gone" cried Della,
f1inging herself into Miriam's arms.
81 GU can't wish it more than 1 do"
sobbed Miriam. "Oh!" as fearful bolt
of thunder crashed overhead, and sheet
of blue electric flame suddenly illumined
the room, IF the old light house should
fall in this wind"
Tightly clasped in one another's en-