St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-05-07
THE OLD TOWER.


sea, and Mrs. Berrydale involuntarily
put up her plump hand, dimpled in each
one Of it's five joints, to shield her eyes
from the ribbon of flame which blazed
along the waves.
isn't 1t q lovely sight," said she
"And only to think that tomorrow we
shall have to go back to those dismal
city streets and begin the daily grind OF
workday life. Oh, l. don't know how
shall ever endure it after these delicious
two weeks by the seashore!'
Mrs. Berrydale was cashier in huge
feather factory. charming widow, who
answered exactly to Byron's idea OF
"fat, fair and forty"
Her companion, tall, slim girl, with
rich brown hair, large hazel eyes and be-
witchingly irregular features, smiled.
"NNe?" said she, with slight accent
of Interrogation In her voice.
ooh, forgot!' cried Mrs. Berrydale.
''But really, Melanie Morton, do you
intend to give up all your prospects and
bury yourself alive in this country
placer"
give promised Charley" quietly
responded Melanie.
''But he's nothing on earth but the
keeper Of lighthouse!' pleaded Mrs.
Berrydale, ''and only think of being
shut up in that living tomb, half mile
out to SEAL
II shouldn't mind it at all, so long as
Charley was there, too" demurely an
swerel Nlelanie.
at will be awfully lonesome!"
"With ones husband?"
"And you've been used to such gay
life in Maidstone store!''
at has been too gay" said Melanie.
and every one says old Madison
would marry you in minute if you'd
give him the least encouragement. +"
Meianie elevated her pretty little nose.
"I'd as soon marry the wooden
Peruvian in front of tobacco store, v
said she.
"That reminds me-" said Mrs. Berry
dale, laughing. Look here, Nell
In the plump, white hand she held out
two or three cigars, brown scaled and
fragrant, and box Of matches.
Speaking Of tobacco stores" said
she, Il snatchcd these away from Cap
tain Maryland this morning"
"Whut for?"
"Because think he's smoking too
much. Because I've told him he must
stop, and yet he still keeps on" declared
the widow.
care you Captain Maryland 8
keeper, laughingly demanded Melanie
"Well, no, not exactly, but"
"IIolenl" cried Melanie, selling both
her companions hands and looking her
resoluteIy in the face, "you are blushing!
You are absolutely blushing!"
"No, I'm notw cried Mrs. Berrydale,
looking pinker than ever. f'It's the re-
Election of that red sunset over the
water. Why should blush2"
because you like Fred Maryland.
You know you do. Helen! Helen! if only
you would marry Fred, and then we need
neither Of us 60 back to the city again!
We could be so happy, Helenl"
"Mel, what nonsense you are talking!
He never has asked mev'
"But he would if you'd give him the
slightest chance. And he has such a
pretty colonial cottage, and he owns a
fifth of the vessel he commands"
"a sea captain is too much in the
habit Of commanding" observed Mrs.
Berrydale, solemnly. Ale might want
to command me Oh, Mel, look there!
We're not half mile away from that
ruinous old tower on Pebble Point.
Let's go and see what it's like. Come !;
It's our last night here"
"But Charley told me not to go near
it!' urged Melanie.
Mrs. Berrydale tossed her handsome
blonde head.
That's the very reason l mean to 60"
said she. "And Charley needn't know. z"
Indeed, Helen, I'd rather not!''
"Just as you please" said Mrs. Ber-
rydaIe, rising from the rock upon which
she had perched herself. "If you've
got the conscience to desert me, do so.
But I'm determined to see what's in the
inside of that old ruin"
And, unwillingly enough, Melanie
followed hen friend across the glistening
sand, fringed with ridges Of still drop
ping seaweed, and dotted here and there
with odd little convoluted shells.
'It's nothing worth visiting" reasoned
she. II dare say it used to be an old
church, and there's nothing left Of it but
the tower"
"Fiddlesticks!" said Mrs. Berrydal,.
"a church indeed! But you believe
everything that Charley Torrance tells
you. It's real old Revolutionary relic.
Just see how thick the walls are! And
what dear little slit-like windows! Oh,
must get into the place! Perhaps it's a
smuggler's den.
what nonsense, Helen! Don't you
see the door is closed and lockeds"