The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-08-29
By GsAcs SAVAGE


selves to the breeze, lay the "Ruel NJ. Fol-
ger" her Captain-owners pride and name
/ sake.
A group of townsfolk stood upon the
wharf, and one of the sailors already seated
III the boat that was TO carry the Rue
NJ Is" crew ont alongside, gaZed with dis.
pleasure upon two figures al the edge OF the
pier.
"Ef he want blood relation o. the
Capn. he wouldn't dare dawdle sol' he
muttered to his mates; then added aloud
4 Its time you quit your courtin', Nate JOY,
ef you're goin' on this cruise"
"Comin'-comiu'" called back the person
so addressed. "'Twpn't be a long v'yage,
Rita" he said to the girl at his side
Uncle Ruels said il was his last, and he'd
make it short-not more'n a year, mebbe-
and tboR!" There was world OF passionate
! longing in his tone.
Yes then" echoed 'Rita's laughing
voice. provided. OF course, that l don't
marry someone else before the them"
That was only 'Rita's teasing way. Nate
knew II.
'You wcn':," he answered, promptly.
!" You love me, Rita j know you do for
you've told me SO, and that's enough for me.
iii be the happiest man afloat when we're
bound for home again; but ] amt afraid o.
the waitin'."
Ave- ave" to the crew, "I'm cemin'."
Nate gave an agonized look into 'Rita's
black eyes. They were suspiciously bright
Remember, its only a short cruise; don't
cry Rita he whispered.
Rita gave her head a toss. Don't be a
fool. Nate" she answered. But someway
the tone trembled into a sUttness that belied
her words.
Capt Ruel's voice brought Nate to his
duty. One quick pressure of tIta's fingers
and lie was in the boat that was already
pushing off
"Ii's bad luck TO watch 'em out of sight"
said 'R ia to herself. Then she turned and
walked firmly past the group near her. Some
of the women eyed her curiously; she smiled
aud nodded with apparently the utmost
uncOncern, and passed up The street toward
her home.
IN the course of an hour the others, who
had fingered 10 gaze after the departing
vessel, came re>iguedly back to loneliness
and duty. The women were walking slowly
by themselves, and evidently 'Rita's stolidity
was the theme under discussion, for one
voice, rather high-pitched and seH-righieous,
was saying:
Lord meant for some 10 go down to the sea
in ships why. don't believe in falSin' on
over what Providence has ordained. But,
Just The same, there is such thing as bein'
stony, IN that Rita Iiza's like a rock"
1t isn't nature for some folks TO show
their feelin's, ventured one island mother
with a face full OF lifelong repression.
- It's nature at her age" retorted the
1 cncol-ey ig at Q1nre Ifs
somebody's dniy to talk 10 that girl, m I'm
goin' TO do il before I'm an hour older. :"
They were almost at Rita door now. I'm
goin' in m see her this minute" There was
silent protest in the eyes Of her hearers. Il
hope ] know my duty" she went on, IN de-
fiance OF the glances cast upon her; and
whats more, j hope I've the strength for
doin it-'tain't pleasure. surely
Sire opened the door OF the small building
before her apd entered a low-studGed room,
whose sides were ranged abOnt with shelves
displaying various small wares from fishing
tackle to writing fluids. An old man WIS
arrang ny goods under the solitary showcase.
"GoGd mornin', Hiram. How does tnee
dop ] amt tradin'; just dropped 10 see
Rita Liza a spell. Is'pose I'll find her II i
go right through"
The old man nodded. He seemed like a
Verson 10 ~hom words were a rare posses
sion. but his lace was singularly kind and
pleasing.
'Rra's quick ear had recognized the voice
of her visitor. She looked up as a shadow
crossed the Threshold.
Good morniu', Hannah b. said the girl
in a most tanializingly cordial tone. Nice
air out, isn't ii? Sit down here, if thee will ;
I've some cookin' 10 do"
Hannah Gardner gave her scrutinizing
look and then SAID, impressively: Thee
speaks chipper enough, but I'm glad to see
hnman tears in thine eyes"
Rita returned the glance without finch
ing, answering suggestIvely, " I'm chopin
onions Mebbe thee hadn't noticed IT..
The chair into which Hannah Gardner
dropped seemed TO quake under rs scandal
ized occupant
Rita Liza Fisher" her caller exclaimed,
" ] wonder thee doesn't Turn into pillar of
81
- Rock salt" put in 7Rita's musical voice;
bet the woman dio not heed her.
Z" ] had misgiyin's about comm here, but
now thee has convinced me that ii was nay
duty. Rita Liza, fhee's as hard as one o.
The craven images Scriptur' warns US against
HI Aaie JOY, he's an idolater ~ a fool.
Rita bit her lip; il was not the first time
fhis woman had made II "a duty" 10 give
her an angry denuBcation. Rita looked n
the face framed in the soft gray OF the Quaker
bonnei-the thee aud thine from ihaf
woInau's lips seemed like nockery The
girl had within her own misjudged soul a
keen sense of The fitness OF Things
Thee grows harder n harder every day
OF thy life ItIs sin thee's yieldin' io-s
elosin' OF the heart God gave thee. i don't
uphold them that makes show o their feel
in's, but the way thee acted at The wharf
Tins nornin' wasn't more n hall human.
Some giIls makes fools o. themselves by
fecl5u' TOO much, N some 10y not feelin' at
all. There's need O moderation in all
ihings' thai az well as the rest s'pose."
'Rita's calm silence only angered her the
more.
!" If the Lord sh'f send the Ruel NJ back
fhout Nate JOY, 'twould seem only righteous
Judgment upon thee. i declare ! dreaded
10 have Cousin Rnel saii, n' thee actin 80. il
seemed almost like y curse upon the
v'yage.o
Something seemed TO tighten about Eita's
heart for a moment, but she only closed her
lips more firmly.
81 know whereof i speak. Thee well
knows ] do"
Hannah's voice had a suggestion of n
whine in it, Her husband had been lost AT
sea years before; gossips said that he had
shipped TO escape has wiie's tongue. Rta's
lips curled slightly. She had heard TOO
many legends OF Hannah's brief and stormy
4g.I 1aa. ,...l