San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-09-19
AFTER MANY YEARS.

| VII thc eAIiciuC poAhsoA th0 AASoS"hus
was a ragged bowlder, standing, rs l,
were, at anchor, for the salt waves beat
in circle round It's base; and on its sum
nit, swinging out with daring reck-
lessncss that would have been appalling
to timid, inland folk, sturdy youth
wearing the rude garb Of fisherman
that was Harry Melville. He broke Out
into a song-a rude, nautical thing; but
the old time air was sweet, and the voice
that sung 1t wondrous clear and reso-
nant, ringing out like a trumpet pea
above the dash Of the waves, yet sweet
and tender as the note Of wood thrush
Over and over again he trilled the quain
ditty, 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 broad
food Of lamp light and slender girl's
figure; and an instant later this sell
same figure, quaint and prim in its gown
Of gray, stood just behind the singer
He sang on, utterly unconscious.
"Harryi"
He was near losing his balance, and
his song came to q sharp and sudden
end, leaving the closing night In silence.
The girl broke into merry laugh.
"Well, Syria" he asked.
"Nothing-only supper Is waiting. and
Aunt Sarah is growing impatient" she
replied.
"Oh, that's allr' The eager light died
out Of his eyes, leaving them gloomy
and distracted. II do not want any
supper; I've made up my mind. Syria"
She gave o quick, gasping breath, bu,
face and voice were quiet.
"Well, HarryT'
"Im going"
"When?'
"At daybreak."
Her very lips paled, and her slender
fingers shook and txembled, 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 wa,
like ink, and the mad sea thundered un
til the old farmhouse shook to its very
center. They were down on the strand
his father and half dozen fishermen
himself, sturdy lad, following like a
young spaniel. Hard work lay befor.
the men. A stately vessel lay out OIL
the bar, and the strong gale was driving
her TO pieces.
Boat after boat started out rs hei
booming guns begged for assistance, but
each one was swamped or driven back
1t was mere desperation, an old sailor
said; no boat could stand such q gale
they could do nothing. His father
chuckled to himself, and bringing out a
sturdy craft Of his own, placed himself
at its helm, and went out into the dark
ness. never to return again, the men
averred; but Harry did not believe H.
He had never known bis father to fail
and he sat down amid the crash and
roar to watch and wait And not vain
Iy, for by and by the sturdy boat beai
is way back. bringing only ono trophy.
. little sea waif that the old man had
picked up-a tiny girl child with haxen
hair and blue eyes
The rough men bore her up 10 the old
farm house, Harry trotting on behind.
and before day dawn the booming guns
we're silent. for the stately vessel, after
. brave fight, had gone down beneath
the hungry wa~ea
Capt Melville and his wife could DO
nothing more or less than 10 adopt the
HttIs stor1n gift and bring her up a.
their own child So they called her sy
ia. after all; and - she merged into
maSJenbood the lsds called her tbe
belle q the OCEAN
She and Harry bad ben sister and
trosber for ten yeArx. eating tbeir frugal
suppsr from the sane pornnger, and
sharing The sane bed IN ch1dbood
"Ye., tbe Bach Dragon Eaik at day
brusk and In gong IN her, Syria hs