The National tribune., 1894-09-27

out across the bay to Tremelen cove. and
day after day, found the Girl sitting in he1
favorite corner, reading or working, or idly
staring out to sea.
She did not always smile at the Man when
he arrived; sometimes she was very cold and
distant, one or twice she only bowed and went
on reading, leaving the Man to wander dis
| consolately about the lonely beach, or to take
boat and return; but he, being of the hip
popotamus- lide species. did neither.
lie seated himself beside the Girl and be-
gan to talk. Then she, being lady, closed
her book and listened, while her eyes wan
dered from the sea to the path down the cliff
and back again. They did not often include
the Man in their gaze, but he put that down
to shyness.
The Man had months holiday every year,
fortnight in the Summer and a fortnight at
Christmas, but this year when his fortnight
had nearly expired he wrote for an extension
of leave, asking to have another week now in
stead of in the Winter
That happened several days after the pic
mic, and when he had become accustomed TO
the lack of smartness in the Girl. In fact, he
grew really quite fetched by her country
style, he told himself
81 must really let her know I am OFF
Tomorrow" he said, as he rowed across the
bay on the last day of his holiday "Poor
little soul, l hope she won't take on much
By Jove, though, | shall feel it myself I've
been an awful fool; I'd no idea l should fall
in love with her like this. Was never really
gone on any one in my life before, and 1
don't like the feeling at all. 1t takes all the
starch out of fellow.n
He sat and meditated long and earnestly.
then he looked round to see where his boat
had drifted. He was not far from the cove.
for the wind was high and had carried him
in. Under the sheltering rock, where he had
first seen her, was the Girl in her white sun
bonnet
I'll do it, I'm bothered if I won't Hang
it all, she can't refuse, and she'd cause quite
a sensation in town when she was dressed
smartly. Pm really awfully fond of her; I'd
no idea I'd got it in me to be so fond of any
one.
He pulled swiftly in, and the Girl looked
up from her book with bright welcoming
smile, and was unusually gracious to him.
She knew it was his last day. They strolled
back to her favorite seat, where they would
be out of the wind, and from whence she
could watch the cliff path and the sea- The
Man lay en- the sand and looked up at her,
. [ am going away Tomorrow" he said
abruptly, watching her keenly.
The Girl withdrew her eyes from the cliffs
slowly, and a second or so passed before she
answered him; it almost seemed as though
she had not heard his remark.
Going away" she said at last; 'sI'm so
sorry. 1t means the end -
The Man sprang up into sitting position.
Then he knelt on the sand beside her.
My he began; but she, not noticing
him, continued absently, though a little
sadly, as though her thoughts had been else
where
. 1t means that the Summer is nearly over,
and | am SO sorry"
1t means more then that to me-" burst
forth the Man impetuOusly.
Ye-es, of course to you it means work.
1t must be very hard to go back to town, and
its fogs and dirt, after this" waving her
hands towards the beautiful country before
them. 8 / am always SO thankful / live in
the country"
"Would nothing induce you to leave it ?'
he asked eagerly. Don't you think you
could get as fond of London in time, that
you would be willing to live there now if-if
your home and your husband were there? ?'
She colored profusely.
''But my home is here and II have
Yes, yes know; but would you not leave
this home and the scenery for the sake of
some one you loved ?"
The Girl grew collected enough in mo-
ment or so.
Yes" she said seriously, 81 would do
both, and l would live in London all the
year round for any one L cared for"
She glanced shyly up the cliff path, though
there was nothing there to account for her
shyness.
The Man sprang up.
Then do it for me ~ he cried
The Girl sprang up too, and looked around
her as if for help.
Are you mad, or-or"-
She could think of no other excuse for his
extraordinary behavior.
But the man grew annoyed at the sug-
gestiOn, and then and there blurted out his
ioye-which was really very genuine, 70 theI
time at any Tate-and his thought that she
loved him.
Understand" she said, trying to speak
calmly, THAT this cove was my boudoir
dining room, drawing room, long, long before
you came and invaded it, and will be for long
after you are gone. 1t was my nursery even,
and l did not see why l should be driven
from the place | had spent my days in for
years by you. | could not order you off and
you refused to take my silence or coldness as
a hint that your continuous intrusion was an
annoyance to me; such a possibility was
beyond your comprehension, | suppose. If
yOu suffer it is your own fault, and / hope it |
may teach you to be a lil+le less preSump-
tuous in your opinion of girls Now | think
you had better CO."
There was q pause, during which the Man |