Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-06-02
hOVE AT THE SHIP .


elder was busy shaking from the meshes
of dragnet entangled tufts OF maroon
and brown seaweed
Poor drafts. Shelah. +" said the net shak-
looking philosophically into the basket
That held the fish.
Poor enough, Master Reeks. Is 10 home
nowy"
"Ay, lad. home it is. Get in the boat,
Shelah."
The young man jumped into the boat
and took the oars The other showed of,
and when he was knee deep in the salt
water clambered in after him.
"Shelah," said Reeks, speaking of a sud
den, when are you going to marry my
Jeny"
There came little extra color into She
labs smooth, tanned cheeks. 81 don't
know, master" he said.
All" said Reeks with sigh, IL wish
her mother was alive"
why, old Tom" asked Shelah.
"Why? To steer her, lad. I'm afeerd
my hand is bit too heavy on the tiller for
a dainty craft like my Jen. She wants a
woman at her hellum or husban"
What makes you say that" asked She
lah, resting on his oars
Jpn tell ye, lad" he said slowly Its
been on my mind a long time, an now I'll
tell ye. | don't like the comin's and -on's
of that young brewer of ourn, Mr.. Cyril
Rivington.
Now, in my fathers time, an in my time
the old ship might ha' tumbled about our
ears for all the brewer cared or troubled
But since this here young chapha come from
abroad, an his father ha' taken him into
partnership, things ha altered.
Nigh on every day he's a-ridin up to
know If we want anything done. | shouldn't
care how many times he come, Shelah, if it
warn't for Jen. I'm afeerd that his fine boss
an his velvet coat an his leggins an his
watch chain may dazzle her, lad"
"Jen is all right" said Shelah firmly
$50 she is my lad, but shed be a lot bet
ter married. An so, between man an man,
my lad, | wants to know when you are goin
to marry her?'
I'D marry her tomorrow" said Shelah
wistfully, IF she'd have me, master"
Reeks looked at him steadily fos mo
ment.
"Shelah Baxter" he said solsmnly, you
amt got the pluck of mouse. wiz win
en-, | mean" pursued Reeks There
amt man in the whole village, She
lah, that could put you on your back.
But wi wimenv' he snorted why, man,
alive, the holder you are wi woman the
better she likes ye. Now | ha' got bit
and ha' got boat Of your own, an what's
to purvent you two a-settln down together2
Pluck up, Shelah, say !. ha' no more shilly
shallyin."
Shelah's Suspended oars fell splash upon
the sea, and for a 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 writiny"
NO" said Reeks, Il can't Whyi"
Because, IL you could, | wanted you to
read this" He held out sheet Of pink
note paper 1t was soled with fish scales
and tobacco dust. but even now retained a
sweet and subtle perfume.
Reeks took it gingerly held it three diff
ferent ways and narrowly scanned il.
"All | can make ont. lad, - he said. lis
these here"
what are they" cried Shelah eagerly
Kisses" said Reeks solemnly. 40 on
'em."
KISSES" repeated Shelah vacantly. In
sudden fury he snatched the paper and
doubling IL in a ball threw il far over the
waves.
Now" said Reoks as be jumped out,
"I'll stow away, lad. Go you up to the
Ship It's about time you and Jen came
to an onderstandn. Pluck up, Shelah, and
remember there's allus ways an means of
winnin a woman" IIe winkcd and nodded.
Shelah slowly descended the mound and
walked toward the inn. The ships sign
could be seen long before the inn Within
a few PAGES of the sign Shelah halted He
could hear horses boots paving the
oil x,-ff 10
whistling, then the softly hummed verse Of
song.
There next sounded some loud laughter,
a step on the tiled path Of the inn, then the
singer spoke.
II drink your health, my charmer," he
said, sin the Rivington brew" After that
he spoke lower, but the words reached She
labs ears:
"You got my note, Jenny, but you never
came. Why was that"
81 was afraid And, oh, what would
father say il he knew that you sent me that
note with all those-those" The musical
voice ended suddenly.
Kisses, Jenny" finished the horseman.
well, don't know. don't particularly
care. Love is altogether reckless. And for
you, my gypsy, | would risk anything.
Now tell me, Jenny, when can you meet
me alonel It is small favor for a lover to
ask. When shall it beY
Jenny was silent.
Jenny" said the rider seriously, do you
love mep
Holding his breath, Shelah waited for the
answer 1t was inaudible
"Come little closer, Jenny" said the
horseman gayly; kisses on paper are moth
ing to kisses IN
"Hushlo cried Jenny; some one is com
ingp'
Il was Shelah lie rounded the corner in
time to see Mr.. Cyril Rivlngton riding away.
With his head bowed, Shelah crossed the
threshold of the inn door. He was met in
side by pretty brown checked girl, whose
lace had heightened and rather unusual
bloom. AT sight Of Shelah she looked dis
concerted
"Jen, lass" he said, II want TO speak to
you. want to ask you somethin."
"Well, then" said Jenny. say it quick