The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-01-14

''Close by, to the southward OF the nrst
darling answered he. What the second
signal betoked it is impossible, just at this
moment, to define, their colloquy at the
time being very difficult to follow.
So they parted II was only TO be for
ten days, but it was their first separation
since they plighted their troth two years
before-near the place where they stood,
and by the waves.
Harsh and bitter the Sollas coast-dreary
the wash of its restless waters. Little they
needed it, these two, if only they met, as
now. Sadness only came home to them
on the eve of parting-its spell of gloom
would be broken when they embraced once
more. Even here, upon this hopeless and
deserted shore, Gods blessing had fallen.
Thank him for love
Early the following morning a white
winged boat sailed from the western shore
of the island, bound for the outlying reef
like belt which forms the seaward edge of
the Outward Hebrldes The low sandy
hummocks of this remote aud desolate land
alone break the ocean which stretches to
Labrador Nothing can be imagined more
weird than its shelving and irregular shores.
On the Heisker Island, which forms the
larger portion-an irregular strip of sand
and sandy hummocks tiny colony
of crofters A lighthouse tower crowns a
rocky islet at the northern extremity.
Saint Kilda, craggy and steep, rises twenty
miles to the northwest, and the varied
chain of the "Long Island shuts out the
view to the eastward.
The passage to Heisker is always diff.
cult, and, In rough weather, dangerous
one; tho sailing track lies through multi
tude of reefs, and the soundinss are very
shallow. But as the boat left the wind
was from the south, and therefore fair for
the course;
Only Angus and Ian were on board,
The latter, who cherished a bitter antipathy
to his companion, as being Mairi's accepted
lover, was discreet enough to dissemble his
feelings while in the others company
Angus, though much the lesser man in
build, was reputed to be of very de-
termined disposition, and his compact and
hardy frame had more of the matured
strength of manhood.
As their boat flew before the south wind
they little thought that they were closely
watched from the shore they had just
quilted. From ncighboring height Mairi
had viewed their setting out Soon to the
eyes of this loving watcher the boat faded
to speck on the waters.
In the evening, toward dusk, the girl
ascended the bill once more to watch for
the signal fire on Heisker. Her eagerness
was great; she had scarcely contrived to
hide it from her father all day, and now,
as the time drew nigh, her anxiety In
creased-for upon the fact of the fire that
evening being a single or double one de-
pended much of the happiness of the i'm
mediate future both for Angus and her.
self.
One fire would assure her of his safety;
that she looked for as matter of course,
for the weather was such that no reason
able dread could, ip this respect, be enter
tained.
And the second fire? But to explain
the meaning of this second additional signal
we must go back for little.
Angus Cameron had little or nothing Of
his own on which to marry, Himself the
son Of crofter, at Trumisgarry, near Sollas
he had an aged mother TO support out OF
the scanty proceeds of the croft, eked out
with the Summer herring fishing, and some
odd jobs, such as he was at present en-
gagged in. Mairi, on her part, would, IL
time, inherit her fatheF's snail savipgs-ths
fruit of seledepying industry in former
years. But as this was not at present
available, matters were not hopeful as re.
CARDS their speedy union. Any hope they
indulged in this direction depended on thu
result, in one way, of this days trip tc
4 Heisker. In the island resided bachelor
uncle Of Angus, saving aud penurlous
man. It vas understood that the neph ew
would ultimately be his heir. In the
meantime it had been ascertained that the
old man was not indisposed to furnish al
much ready money as would procure q
| fresh plenishing for the Trumisgarry croft
and perhaps otherwise anticipate bis inten
tions In Angus's favor. Were this don'
the latter might reasonably enough claim
his bride forthwith, and bring her to share
his home under these improved conditions
Her father had signifed his consent should
this be arranged.
Should the old Heisker crofter, however
be unwilling 10 advance the capital th'
marrisge must be postponed indefinitely
This day would probably decide the ques
ton one way or the other, and in thes'
.--.-...-.. L. ~ s;,r,,,f, nonoa ,f fh.