The Forrest City times., 1891-03-13
CHAPTER II.
ANCHOR COTTAGE

ANCHOR COTTAGE
 The cottage stood on the high ground overlooking the Firth. It was a square com fortable e-lookng building of one story, built of brown stone and slated. The only piece of ornamentation about the building was a porch. It stood in piece of ground which was also square and planted with things useful-vegetables frut-trees, and berry, bushes. There were few plots of flowers and some rose-bushes, but these things be- ing merely beautiful were kept well within bounds. Nevertheless the place had a cosy appearance and was attractive on that ac- count.
 The captain had been brought up to re- gard utility as the first consideration in life; and the only bit of fancy he had permitted himself when the grounds were laid out 1 was to place an old anchor In the center of the patch of grass, called the green. This 1 anchor had one of it's points stuck firmly in l the ground as if it were holding the whole l place steady.
 That auld anchor sir,' the captain would 1 iay to any visitor saved the Mer1ndtd once when she was being blown out of the roads l by one of the clartiest storms have ever been in. The Mermaid of that time was 1 bit cutter you maun ken. And when l sold | the cutter and got the steamer l brought | that anchor Ehere and I'm proud O it-rael 1 proud-and 80 named the house after it."
 As soon as Ross passed through the gate he halted, hestating whether to 20 straight 1 to the door or cross the green towards tho 1 lass he saw amongst the berry-bushes busy | gathering fruit. His hearts impulse had its l way, and he wen. towards her.
 As the gate closed behind him with a l clang frank sun-browned face looked up from amongst the bushes and recognized 1 him with pleasant smile. He thought that smile as bright as the sunshine itself. 1 Cad to see you' NIT. Ross" she said in . | rich cheery voice. Father has been ex- | pacting you but there is somebody with 1 him just now"
 How cordially Bob Ross thanked that Somebody" and how earnestly he prayed 1 that the somebody" might stay long | 'I could not come so early as Twas mean ing to do, and I'm no exactly sorry."
 How is that"
 "You are here"
 She looked as if she enjoyed, or at any rate did not dislike, this very direct compll- ment She said banterlngly-
 'I'll hae to take care of you, Mir. koss."
 That's just what I would like you to do," he rejoined sincerely.
 "Keek into the berry-bush and say what you sec there" she replied, laughingly quot ing an old play-rhyme of childhood.
 I'm doubtng you would not let me tell you what I sce."
 'Oh. but would for I'm no the gowkw
 "Pm sure of that for what 1 see is the bonniest lass in all the worldr'
 'Eh, Mr. Ross!' she cried, laughing again, "l'm thinking had better go and tell my 1 father you are here."
 That was check, otherwise he might have found an opportunity to turn this ban ter to serious account. She was conscious of that and wished to avoid the possible turn the conversation might take-and he was aware of it.
 But he tried to detain her by the assur- ance that he was in no hurry and would rath- CT wait until the captain was quite free. w tn smiling shake of the head, she took up her basket of fruit and went towards the house. A tall, winsome figure, in neat simple dress; and as she crossed the green her rich fair hair glistened in the sunlight 1 like god.
 The wistful lover, following, felt that there was no use in following. for such a prize could never be his-not because there was any inseparable gulf between their posi-
 
 to be so much above him or any ordinary mortal. Alas poor lover!
 But Annie was br ght specimen of wo- man nature-kind and generous, bonnie and brave. The man who won her would be fortunate indeed, for he would possess that greatest of all blessings, faithful helpmate In all that concerns daily life--tender in his sorrow, bi.he in his gladness, and patient of his errors.
 All this and more Ross thought, and It rendered the possibility of her b coming the prize of James Clrgill the more bitter He tried to make al owance for his own feel inys in regard to Annie and the influence they had upon his oFiaion of the man. Bn. when all allowance vas m,de he could n,t beis ve that Cargill was likely to make her or any woman happy.
 The captair's daughter was as famous as the captain htmse'f; .or ntsaostgn she could play the ''pianny," and was reported to be able to sp,aS French as well as the French themselves (such a snattering of the lan- gna,e as any schoolgirl might possess would suffice for this reNortl, she was her father's clerk and purSer, besides being his houss keeper. She accompaniei him on all his voyages, and in the widest storm was as cocl as the oldest seaman on boHrd. ! wonld stand by her fathers slde-her sater hat and the pea jacket over her ordiAary dress giving her tall figure somewhat man. ly appearaace--r ady to obey hlm in any thing he might command.
 And throughout this rou~h life she p~c- served the ntitst characs, rstcS of wo- manhood. WhPa at homo ia tine co tage no stranger would have sssrrr el that the qnietloeking lass with the ia rrf smile WIS accustomed to such stern experiences.
 The Mermaid was small steamer which Duncan Murray had purchased a bargain. Then, having sold lis catter, he emp oycd the steamer to conslds ranlc advantage in carving goods along the coast, oy to where ever he Fl ght obtain cargo. By this means he had made a good deal of nlouey--a biz fortune h,s friends considered it-soMe of which was prudenty invested in house property.
 H. might have retired and lived comfort- ahsy on his income. But hs would not do that; he only became more particular about fea1xg0ea md about hts rates Of freight. s.x