Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-03-10
THE OLD TOWER.

The westering sun seemed to pause
for one golden second on the edge of the
sea, and Mrs. Berrydale involuntariIv
put up her plump hand, dimpled in each
one of its five Joints, TO shield her eyes
from the ribbon of flame which blazcd
along the waves.
Isn't it 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, | don't know how |
shall ever endure it after these delicious
two weeks by the seashore"
Mrs. Berrydale was cashier in huge
feather factory, II charming widow, who
fiat, fair and forty"
Her companion, Il tall, slim girl with
rich brown hair, large hazel eyes and be-
witohingly irregular features, smiled.
"WeI" said she, with Il slight accent
of interrogation in her voice.
"Oh, 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"
ave promised Charleyw 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"
81 shouldn't mind it at all, so long as
Charley was there, too demurely an
swered Melanie.
at will be awfully lonesome!"
"Witl ones husband?"
"And you've been used to such gay
life in Madison's store!'
at has been too gay" said Melanie.
"And every one says old Madison
would marry you in a minute if you'd
give him the least encouragement"
Melanie elevated her pretty little nose.
"rd us soon marry the wooden
Peruvian in front of a tobacco store, -
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, 81 snatched these away from Cap
tain Maryland this morning"
"What 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 s
koeper?" laughingly demanded Melanie
"Well, no, not exactly, but"
"Helenl" cried Melanie, seizing both
her companions hands and looking her
resolutcly in tho face, "you are blushing!
You arc absolutely blashing!"
"No, I'm not!" cried Mrs. Berrydale
looking pinker than ever Its the re-
Election of that red sunset over the
water. Why should bush?'
because you like Fred Maryland.
You know you do. Heenl Helen! if only
you would marry Fred, and then we need
neither of us go back to the city again!
We could be SO happy, Helen!"
"Mel, what nonsense you are talking!
He never has asked mc!'
"But he would if you'd give him the
slightest chance. And he has such q
pretty colonial cottage, and he owns a
fifth of the vessel he commands"
"a soa 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 a milo away from that
ruinous old tower on Pebble Point
Lots go and see what it's like. Come;
it's our last night here"
But Charley told me not to go near
i'll" urged Melanie.
Mrs. BerrydaIe tossed her handsome
blonde head.
That's the very reason mean TO 60"
said she. "And Charley needn't know" ="
Indeed, Helen, I'd rather notl'
"Just as you please" said Mrs. Ber
rydalc, rising from the rock upon which
sho had perched herself. "lf you've
got tho conscience to desert me, do so.
But I'm determined to see what's in the
inside of that old ruin.
And, unwllingly enough, Melanie
followed her friend across the glistening
sand, fringod with ridges of still drop
ping scawocd, and dotted here and there
with odd little convoluted shells.
"lt's nothing worth visiting" reasoned
she. 'I dnre say it used to be an old
church and there's nothing left of it but
the tower"
fluulestlcks' salu MIS- berryuhl
"a church indeed! But you believe
everything that Charley Torrance tells
you. It's renl old Revolutionary relic.
Just see how thick the walls aroi And
what dear little slit-liko windows! Oh. /
must get into the place' Perhaps it's
smuggler's den."
What nonsense, Hclenl Don't YOU
sec tho door is closed and locked?"