The record-union., 1895-06-01
LUKE MEADOWS WARNING.

than i; but l never envied him that or
anything else till he came between me
and pretty Lizzie Meadows. She was an
orphan and lived with her grandfather,
Luke Meadows, the oldest fisherman in
the village. Had she wished it she might
have had all the lads in the place at her
feet; but even in her childish days. when
her companions fought for the privilege
OF buying toys or sweets for her, or Of car
rying her books when she trotted to
school, she would give them no reward
but smile, or a glance from her dark
eyes. Her childish kisses were reserved
for me- To me only she told her child
ish secrets and brought her childish
troubles.
But now she was a woman grown, and
no longer lavish of her favor. She was
aiet and shy. And old Luke, being nat
urally very careful of his treasure, guard
ed her so jealousy that it became each
day more and more difficult to obtain
speech with her. Ii was but seldom now
that l was allowed to look in at the cot
tage OF Sunday evening, as l had been
In the habit of doing regularly from a
boy. But that troubled ME the less mas
much as the permission was not granted
to any one else.
AT length, however. it began to be
whispered about that Ben Holding went
very frequently 10 Meadows cottage, and
was doubtless paying attention to his
granddaughter. This was the more sur
prislng as the young man had, till very
recently, been working at place some
twenty miles to the north; and, to my
certain knowledge, there was nothing
between the TWO when he first went
there. His work must have brought him
IN good round sum, for he went tshlng
now in a boat of his own, and had taken
a cottage all TO himself, instead of living
In a sing le room or boarding in family,
as was the custom with the young fisher
men roundabout. However, l gave little
heed TO such gossip. Lizzie always
greeted me with a smile when we met;
and Meadows was, If anything, rather
more friendly than he had been for some
time. Moreover, If by chance did spend
an evening al the cottage, l never came
across Ben Holding. He used to go by
on Sundays on his way to the meetings
Of the Plymouth Brethren, where he was
q constant attendant; but he never stayed
to CHAT more than i've or ten minutes
and what he said to the girl all the world
might hear.
l went down to Meadows place one
Sunday afternoon with the intention Of
telling Lizzie how il was with me and OF
asking her to me my wife. IL would be
the best way, thought, of putting an
end to the talk of the village. which did
not please me, though il caused me no
anxiety. l had lately had a rise in my
wages. aud was promised a further in
crease at the end OF the year; so hoped to
satisfy Meadows as to my prospects.
L cannot tell If he suspected my inten-
ton; but it was in vain l sought for an OPP
portunity OF speaking to Lizzie that even
ing. Meadows talked without ceasing,
and Lizzie herself seemed more occupied
than usual. Instead of sitting still she
fitted about the kitchen, doing one thing
or another; now reaching down plates
from the topmost shelf of the dresser,
then bending over the fire, where, con-
trary to her custom on Sunday, she had
.wo or three pots to attend to. L was SO
absorbed in watching her movements
that | fear l made but an indifferent list
ener to Meadows oid-time yarns. Il was
q delight to me to note the graceful turn
of her figure; to watch the color deepen
ing on her cheek till her delicate ear
looked like a rose-leaf as it lay amid the
clustering rings of her dark hair. Lizzie
laughingly turned us out at last, saying
she wanted to set the kitchen 70 rights,
and we were in the way. l offered to
help her. but the old man would not hear
OF my doing anything, and carried me
OFT TO the porch to smoke pipe with
him.
We had not sat there long before I saw
Ben Holding in the distance, evidently
making his way towards us. So little did L
fear him that was actually glad to see
him, thinking he would take off Mead
ows' attention and give me chance OF a
word with Lizzie. But l soon saw that
was not to be. After shaking hands with
us Ben strobe into the kitchen, and
though we followed Immediately, he had
found time to give her little note, for l
saw her hide IL in her dress as l came in.
[ soon discovered he had been invited
to supper, and the dishes Lizzie had been
taking so much pains with were prepared
in his honor. When we sat down to
table the talk turned on matters of which
l knew nothing and could take no part in.
Lizzie asked question alter question about
Holdings cottage, and displayed such an
intimate knowledge of its arrangements
that it was clear to me the subject had
been often discussed between them.
What could this mean but that the house
was furnished for her as Holdings wife?
NJ eadoWs smiled placidly, and looked on
with an air OF approval that well nigh
maddened me. l turned cold and sick; but
though / never spoke, and hardly touched
a morsel on my plate, they paid no heed,
but continued TO laugh and joke over
their own affairs. At last L could stand
it no longer, and. rising from the table,
abruptly said 1t was time to go home
Then, for the firsrtime, Lizzie seemed to
perceive my agitation, for she blushed
and looked confused.
Are you going out tomorrow,
George?" Meadows asked as l babe him
good night.
"Of COURSE" I said briefly. "Why
not?"
II don't like the look of the weather.
he explained. 81 was just going to say
so when Ben came up this evening. l am
not one 10 counsel any man to stay at
home when there's work to be done, but
industry is one thing and rashness is an
other. It's blowing up for gale. take
my word for it, lads. There'll be mischief
tomorrow, l warn you"
"What them" l rejoined sullenly.
''Twon't be the first gale Eve been out in,
nor the last, may be. And if it is, no.
body will care"
No man has right to throw his life
away" urged the old man solemnly.
What's come to you, George? That's
not like you. | hope you will take my
advice, Ben, anyway, for the Mermaid
is not seaworthy. You will rue the
day you bought her if you don't look
out"
We'll see how it is in the morning."
Ben said hopefully.
Anyhow, you can'ts nobody cares"
/ heard Lizzie whisper. And then she
went on half to herself: And George
has no right to say such things.'
ing followed me. l hurried on. thinking
to avoid him, but he soon caught me no.