The free press., 1893-07-06

oWn, ANU WHdtS 10 prevent you TWO
settlin' down together? Pluck up,
Shelah, says l, ha' no more shilly-
shallyin'."
"l'll think on it, said Shelah,
slowly.
DO" said Recks, refilling his pipe.
"But to act upon it would be better.'
Shelah's suspended oars fell splash
upon the sea, and for moment the
boat seemed to raise up and fly bodily
over the top of a wave, so hard did he
pull.
MASTER" he said deliberately, "can
you read writin'Y'
"No," said Reeks. 81 can't. Why?"
tBecause, if you could, l wanted
you to read this" He held out sheet
of pink note paper. 1t was soiled
fish scales and tobacco dust, but even
now retained q sweet and subtitle per-
fume.
Reeks took it gingerly, held it in
three different ways and narrowly
scanned it. Gail 1 can make out,
lad," he said, "is these here"
"What are they?" cried Shelah,
eagerly.
.'Kisses |" said Reeks, solemnly-
"ten on 'em."
"Kisses?" repeated Shelah, vacant
ly. In sudden fury he snatched the
paper, and, doubling it in ball,
threw it far over the waves. Oppo-
site the lookout, Shelah rowed ashore.
"Now," said Reeks, as he jumped
out, "Pll stow away, lad. Go you up
to the Ship It's about time you an
Jen came to an onderstandin'. Pluck
up, Shelah, and remember there's
allus ways an means of winnin' q
woman" He winked and nodded.
Shelah drew his feet out of the wet
sand and with a sad smile moved up
the beach. AS he 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" he groaned,
and looked vacantly around him.
He slowly descended the mound and
walked toward the inn. The "Ship's"
sign could be seen long before the inn.
Within few PAGES of the sign Shelah
halted. He could hear horses hoofs
paving the ground. He was soon
regaled 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" After that he spoke
lower, but the words reached Shelah's
ear: 'You 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 note with all those those" The
musical voice ended suddenly.
"Kisses, Jennie" finished the horse
man. "Well, | don't know; l don't
particularly care. Love is altogether
reckless. And for you, my gypsy, l
would risk anything. Now tell me,
Jennie, when can you meet me alone?
1t is a small favor for a lover to ask.
When shall it be!"
Jennie was silent.
"Jennie," said the rider, seriously,
edo you love me!"
Holding his breath Shelah waited for
the answer. 1t was inaudible.
"Come little closer, Jennie," said
the horseman gayly; "kisses on paper
are nothing to kisses i'll
"Hush!" cried Jennie; "some one
is coming!"
cit was Shelah. He rounded the
corner in time to see Mr.. Cyril Rly-
ington riding away.
With his head bowed Sheah crossed
the threshold of the inn door; he was
met inside by apretty, brown-cheeReo
girl, whose face had heightened and
rather unusual bloom. At sight OF
Shelah she looked Disconnected.
"Jen, lass," he said, q" want 10
sneak to YOU; want to ask you some
thin"
Jennie started, and there was
sensible diminution of the color III her
checks. "Not now, Shelah," she sald
nervously. 'I'm busy noW' wait
till father comes in.'
"No," said Shelah, 81 can't walt
If don't speak now | shall never