Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-09-09
AFTER MANY YEARS.


Iessness that would have been appalling
to timid. inland folk, sturdy youth
wearing the rude garb Of fisherman
that was Harry Melville. lie broke out
into song-a rude, nautical thing: but
the old time air was sweet, and the voice
that sung It wondrous clear and reso-
nant, ringing out like trumpet peal
above the dash of the waves. yet sweet
and tender as the note of wood thrush.
Over and over again he trilled the quaint
dirty, until every echo caught up the
strain, and the whole place and the
great sea itself seemed thrilling with
melody.
Just then the door Of the old farm
house swung open, letting out q broad
food Of lamp light and slender girls
figure; and an instant later this self
same figure, quaint and prim in its gown
of gray, stood just behind the singer.
He sang on, utterly unconscious.
Harry
He was near losing his balance. and
his song came to sharp and sudden
end, leaving the closing night in silence.
The girl broke into merry laugh.
'sWell. Syrian he asked.
Nothing only supper is waiting. and
Aunt Sarah Is growing impatient" she
replied.
''Oh, that's ALL" The eager light died
out of his eyes, leaving them gloomy
and distracted. ~ do not want any
supper; I've made up my mind, Syria"
She gave quick, gasping breath, but
face and voice were quiet.
"Well, Harry"
"I'm goingT
ssWhen?"
"At daybreak.
Her very lips paled, and her slender
fingers shook and trembIed, but her eyes
remained true and steady.
'Well," she answered slowly. "God
bless you, Harry
The boy stood silent, his eyes fixed on
the far coast line, where the red sunset
fires were slowly burning out. his
thoughts busy with the past. One night,
especially, stood out clear and vivid--a
wild, stormy night. when the sky was
like ink, and the mad sea Numbered UNI
til the old farmhouse shook to its very
center. They were down on the strand,
his father and half dozen fishermen
himself, a sturdy lad, following like a
young spaniel. Hard work lay before
the men. A stately vessel lay out on
the bar, and the strong gale was driving
her to pieces.
Boat after boat started out as her
booming guns begged for assistance, but
each one was swamped or driven back.
It was mere desperation. an old sailor
said; no boat could stand such gale
they could do nothing. His father
chuckled to himself. and bringing out a
sturdy craft of his own, placed himself
at It's helm, and went out into the dark
ness. never to return again, the men
averred; but Harry did not believe it.
He had never known his father to fail,
and he sat down amid the crash and
roar to watch and watt. And not vain
", for by and by the sturdy boat beat
it's way back, bringing only one trophy,
little sea waif that the old man had
picked up--a tiny girl child with Aaxen
hair and blue eyes.
The rough men bore her up to the old
farm house, Harry trottigg on behind;
and before day dawn the booming guns
were silent, for the stately vessel, after
q brave fight, had gone down beneath
the hungry waves.
Capt. Melville and his wife could do
nothing more or less than to adopt the
little storm gift and bring her up as
their own child So they called her Sy-
ria, after all; and as she merged into
maidenhood the lads called her the
s'belle Of the ocean"
She and Harry had been sister and
brother for ten years, eating their frugal
supper from the same porringer, and
sharing the same bed in childhood.
Eyes, the Black Dragon sails at day
break and I'm going In her, Syria" he
said. his eyes solemn and tender and his
voice tremulous
The girl stood silent q moment; then
putting the question with a forced laugh:
How far are you going, Harry9' she
said. 'sWhen do you expect to come
Uack?''
THE BLACK Dragons bound around
tho world, believe. he responded. land
as to coming back we'll, il win be years
before ! see the Headlands again.
guess"
Then assudden light blazed up In his
e5es.
''SllaIl you miss me when I'm gone. do
yOu think. Syrian he asked
A swift rose color doomed in her fair
cheeks. and her eyes overfIowed with