The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1893-12-30


here to perch for
while, as they
scanned the vast
waste of waters below, looking for
prey. The sky was dark and lower
ing, with storm coming mp slowly
from the darkenlng west, where the
sun had already sunk from sight. A
gloomy scene, and not one to attract,
yet Therese Vancourt seemed perfectly
entranced as she stood there alone. a
slim. white-robed figure, sharply out
lined against the dusky background
of rock and gloomy sky.
Belle and beauty, queen of the
fashionable set which held sway
over the Seaside house. one would
scarcely expect to find her alone. at
this hour, the fashionable Miss Van
court. But she seemed wholly alb
sorbed in thought as she stood on the
cliff, her small golden-crowncd head
half dropping, the great purple blue
eyes gazing before her out at sea; the
red lips half parted; the small white
hands folded loosely. She was evil
IDENTIFY watching something away out
upon the water. The object material
lied at last, and proved to be boat,
little boat, which came dancing
lightly over the pillows" A man was
rowing with slow, easy strokes; man
with bronzed. handsome face, deep
gray eyes, and closc-croppcd dark
hair
A swift, sudden light leaped into
her groud eyes. None of her legion OF
admirers down at the hotel had ever
caught glimpse of that light in
Therese Vancourts splendid eyes.
She had laid aside socIctys mask. and
out here, alone with nature. she dared
be true to herself
Swiftly the little boat came over
the waves: the man within lifted his
head at last and saw her. A dark
crimson flushed his tanned checks for
an instant: then he bit his lips as
though angry or impatient, and turned
away.
At that moment his eyes fell upon
the fast-darkening sky--the approach
ing storm signals. Turning his boat
about, he made straight for the cliff,
for certain point at which landing
could be made. Three minutes later
he was at her side.
miss Vancourt," his voice was low
and full of music, ''therc is storm
coming; did you not observe it? Al
low me to escort you safely back to
your hotel. NY boat is bellows; the
landing accessible, may conduct you
10 il? Storms upon this point are
dangerous; you will be swept out to
sea-"
She shivered and turned pale.
Even So" she returned, in q falter-
ing voice, lit would be better than to
live and marry old bingham Oh.
Laurence. laurence" she caught his
hand with mad grasp in both her
own: then dropping it she turned
away. Il hate him-hate him-hate
him." she painted wildly.
Laurence Dale bit his lip, and his
eyes grew dark with pain.
why marry him, them he asked,
coldly.
She flashed swiftly about. and faced
him pale and still; in her purple blue
eyes dangerous light was shining;
her breath came quick and fast.
"Why?" she cried, cXcitedly. BE
cause | am a poor dependent, and
obliged 10 obey my aunts wishes.
Aunt Bransccmbe has decrced that
shall become that mans wife, ! am
dependent upon her bounty: | must
obey her. or be turned adrift upon the
world-all alone.
No! oh, MOI" he cried, wildly.
''surely il is not so bad as that, Miss
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The name fell from his lips before
he was aware of his own tcmeritv.
She lifted her eyes to his. She was
pale as marble, her glorious eyes shin
ing like stars.
1T is as bad as that" she returned,
Gin low voice. My aunt knows how
to torture me-with the very keencst,
cruelest torture. She has promised
old Percy Etfingham that Ishall marry
him, and-she will keep her word
"She shall not! Oh, Theresc,
Thercse! YOU may send me from You,
il YOU like-you cannot prevent my
loving YOU! Yes-l---the poor no.
bodv-onlv a farmer who makes his
living out of the ground. My darling,
if YOU could only care for me, l would
save YOU from this horrible marriage.
Forgive me, dear heart" checking
the mad words upcn his tongue.
I'll have no right TO offer you pow
erty; only my neart is very rich In
love for you! Can you ever pardon
my preSumpllon, ua'iiuS'
loved you long ever since the first
time i looked into your sweet face.
OF course, had never thought to tell
you this. Only say that you forgive
| me-
She checked him with low cry,
LAYING her bit of white hand upon
| his arm-a white hand crowned with
a magnificent solitaire diamond-old
Efiugham's gift
ellis ring" she said, as the young
mans eyes fell upon 1t. Il cannot
| wear it-it hurts me. 1t feels ike a
brand of shamel Laurence, listen!
Her eyes met his, then dropped
| slowly. IL love you''
| ''Therese!"
~ love you! Don't ask me how l
Lnov. or WHY love you. ASK nothing.