Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-03-03
THE STOLEN CURL.


there public building or private institu.
ton, form the lovely and quiet town of Pass
Christian, noted for it's balmy climate, the
beauty Of its situation, its handsome resi-
dences and the wealth and refinement Of its
citizens
To the young ladies' academies and mill.
tary institutions Of Pass Christian many
of the wealthy planters were wont to send
their daughters and sons TO be educated,
and as the pupils of the respective institu-
tons would meet in their daily promenades
many admiring glances would be ex.
changed between them and longings felt
to become acquainted
: Among the fair pupils Of the lake acad-
envy none were more beautiful than Rosa
Vertner, the sole heiress to all Of her dot
ing fathers cotton estate situated upon the
Mississippi river.
A shower OF golden curls fell upon her
shoulders blue, dreamy eyes, a bright,
smiling face and a graceful form, added to
disposition of the truest womanly sweet
ness made the young girl of fifteen partic
ularly attractive to all who knew her
Many handsome cadet from the mill
tary academy had fallen in love with the
bewitching beauty at the first glance from
the heavenlit eyes. but to none did she
show a preference when meeting at the
soirees and receptions given by the differ
emit schools
One Of Rosa's greatest though silent ad-
mirers was Earl Griffith, the son Of Mis-
sissippi planter, whose estate lay dioininR
that of Mr. Vertner, but between Mr. Vert
ner and Colonel Griffith there existed great
bitterness and for years the families had
not spoken, though meeting constantly in
social intercourse at the houses Of the
neighboring planters.
The feud commenced long years before,
in the old days before the war, when Mr..
Vertner and Colonel Griffith we're rivals
for the hand Of Earl's mother
Colonel Griffith had won her heart and
hand and had married her, and his success
80 enraged Mr. Yertner that he challenged
him. A duel followed and in this en-
counter Colonel Griffith came off victori
Gus, severely wounding his adversary
Since that day neither had spoken to the
other
Meeting at Pass Christian, thus IL was
that. though Rosa could not but see that
Earl Griffith admired her, and he felt that
ghe was not Indifferent TO his gaze, both
were governed by the remembrance Of the
feud existing between their parents, and
gave no sign Of the recognition Of the
others feelings
Toward the close Of a lovely summer
day. in the year that this story opens, the
fair pupils Of the lake institute had gone
down the long pier, leading out into the
lake, TO the bathhouse Of the institution.
Soon merry party Of damsels were
splashng about in the water. II was a
pretty sight and handsome youth Of
twenty one. clad in the stylish uniform Of
the Pass Christian Military academy
paused and gazed upon the lovely scene.
Suddenly a shrek WAS heard, and dark
form was borne away by the tide. out Of
reach Of aid from her companions
With the speed Of deer the young cadet
sped down the pier. reached the bath
house and bounded headlong into the
water
vigorously did he breast the waves and
soon rapidly overlook the fair girl, who
was struggling to sustain herself above
the waters, for she was fair swimmer
Soon be came nearer, and seeing that
help was at hand her courage forsook her
and she sank beneath the waters, while
shrieks Of distress from the shore showed
that her companions believed her forever
host.
With deep dive the youth succeeded in
catching hold Of the drowning girl, and
with renewed strength started shoreward
Bravely did be struggle, and at last he
felt that he would reach the shore, for
when almost 10 the bathing house two Of
the professors OF the institute, alarmed by
the cries Of distress, had run down to the
scene, and swimming out a few yards had
relieved the youth Of his precious burden.
Without a word the young man turned
once more seward, and to the surprise Of
all commenced TO swim down the coast.
In vain did they call TO him from the
shore. On he swan, and night coming
rapidly on he was no longer visible
After continuing slowly and with strong
and steady stroke down the coast, the ca
Diet swan toward a pier that projected
some distance into the lake, and then drew
himself, greatly fatigued. from the water
Looking around him 10 see that he was
not watched he walked rapidly up the
pier and struck of across the fields for the
academy.
Arriving there he sought his room and
reached it unperceived. where he hastily
changed his clothing
Before descending TO the study hall To-
Join his fellow students be drew from the
pocket Of his saturated Jacket, which be-
hal thfOWH tt1iNt y iNIA kDlDNh tuAl
dampened by the sea water
II could not resist the temptation 20
sever this beautiful curl from It's golden
mates She will mias IL. and yet she will
never know vino It WAS that saved her
life" and carefully drying the tress o.
hair the cadet placed il securely away
A great excitement vas created - Pass
Christian by the saving from watery
.rrava of the heauffful Eo.u Nerfuer and
of the strange conduct 81 her noble pre-
server, whoever be might be, for IL was
impossible TO discover his name, and all
that could be stscertained was that he WIS
/, a cadet from the military academy.
This much the young girl had noticed as
he sprang from the pier, and Rosa, having
become Unconscious. could not describe his
features.
The missing curl WAS commented upon,
and the faces " all the cadets were eagerly
aoaunaI tt n o. mills If the lake inst ifutf4