Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-06-02

"Wl'at arc thcy?' cried Shelah,
eagerly.
.'Kisscsl' said Reeks, solcmnly-
"icn On EN-"
"hisscsP" repeated Shclah, vacant
ly. Ia sudden fury nc snatched the
paper, aud, doubling it in ball,
threw it far over the waves. Oppo-
site the lookout, Shclah rowcd ashore.
Nov" said Reeks, as he jumped
out, "rll stow away, lad. Go you up
to the Ship It's about time you an
Jen came to an ondcrstandin'. Pluck
up, shelal, aud remember there
allus ways an means of winmin' a
woman" lie winkcd and nodded.
Shclah drew his feet out of the wet
sand aud with sad smile moved up
the beach. As lie strobe between the
lifeboat and the yawl his face settled
Into gloom. There was big sandhill
on his left; he turned aside and
mounted it. "Ten kisses" lie groaned,
and looked vacantly around him.
lie slowly descended the mound and
walked toward the inn. The "Ship's"
sign could be seen long before theinn.
Within few PAGES of the sign Shelah
halted. He could hear horses hoofs
paving the ground. He was soon
RECALLED with little whistling, then
the softly hummed verse of song.
There next sounded some loud laugh
ter, a step on the tiled path of the inn,
then the singer spoke. 81 drink your
health, my charmer," he said, 'in the
Rivington brew" Alter that be spoke
lower, but the words reached Shelahs
ear: ''lou got my note, Jennie, but
you never came. Why was that?"
81 was afraid. And, oh, what would
father say if he knew that you sent me
that nole with all those those" The
musical voice ended suddenly.
"IXisses, Jennie" finished the horse
man. "WeIl, | don't know; don't
particularly care. Love is altogether
reckless. Aud foryou, my gypsy, |
would risk ANYTHING. Now tell me,
donnie, when can you meet me alone
II is small favor for lover to ask
When shall II be-"
Jennie was silent.
"Jennie," said the rider, seriously,
q. -S'a Love mcfy
Holding his breath Shelah waited for
the answer. 1t was inaudiblc.
Come little closer, Jennie" SAID
the horscmau gayIy; "kisses on paper
are nothing 10 kisses in--"
''HushI" cried jennie; "some ono
is comingI"
sit was Shelah. lie rounded the
corner in time to SEQ Mr.. Cyril Riv-
ington riding away.
With his head bowed Shelah crossed
the threshold of the inn door; he was
met inside by pretty, brown-cheekcd
girl, whose face hal a heightened and
ril her unusual bloom. At sight of
Shelah she looked Disconnected.
''Jen, lass" he said, 81 want to
speak to you; l want to ask you some
thin"
Jennie started, and there was a
sensible diminution of the color in her
checks .'Not now, Shclah," she said
nervousIy. "rm busy now. Wait
till father comes ill.,"
NO." said Sh,lah, 81 can't wait.
If don't speak now shall never
speak. l won't stop you long"
"Well, then, SAID Jennie, "say it
quick. What is it?" She seated her.
self with her face to the window and
her foot nervously tapping the sanded
floor.
"lts this" said Shelah, and his
voice sho ok a little: "we ha' been
sweethcartin' for long Time, and |
want to know when we are going to
get married, Jen?
"Neycr," she said softly.
s'Neyer?' he repeated, huskily.
81 should only make you wretched.
want you to give Inc up, to forget
me, Shelah."
Give you up, Jen? Give you up,
lass! Give up my life-ask me for
that, Jen, but don't ask me to give
you up, sweetheart, for do 50 love
you, my dear"
Jennie's lips quivered and her eyes
began to fill with tears, but she kept
her face to the window.
alt would break my heart to marry
you," she s1id, "for love some one
else"
"You love some one clse?" said
Shelah, mechanically.
"Yes. and he is going 10 marry me.
So you see, Shelah, it would be wrong
for me TO marry you. [ should be
always miserable and wretched and |
should make you miserable and
wretched, too; so please. dear Sheah.
let me go and-aud forget me-" She
ended with sob.
White and still sat Shelah; then
heavily and YEARLY he rose. Jennie
uncovered her face for moment. Al
the sight of his she hid it again. "For-
get you lass" he said, al never can. y
Moved perhaps by the thought of what
might have been, he leaned down and
gently pressed kiss to her forehead.
but if giving you up, lass" he pro-
ceedcd huskily, "will make you happy,
Jcn"-therc was an agonizing ring in
his voicc-why, l give you up"