St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-06-07
THE TAR,S RETURN.

Fl ps had DIou6"' '"6 N
r, and was looking forward to
.ettlipg down quietly as a sort of
omohibious animal at Lancing. The
1000 had saved would help me to
buv fishing boat and leave little
% mrnish a snug place knew of for
Elsie and me.
Elsie Beal was as taut craft as
Il cou would find in any port. | had
& jnown her when she was not much
bioher than my sea chest. She had
sce e me off on my first voyage, and
wben returned she was one of the
6rst to greet me. OF course we be-
i came sweethearts, and though they
cav that sailor has a sweetheart in
every port there was only one | knew
B ofin which my heart was anchored.
Elsie, my lass" had said to her,
inst before going on my last voyage,
4 rs about time we settled down. So,
! 4 you've no objection, we'll get
spced when | return"
Nv lass put her little hand in my
biz rough one. and-she kissed me.
What palmer signal could tar have
than that!
And here was returning-the last
VOYAGE over-with nothing but fair
weather sailing before me. How
longed to finish that bright picture
Of domestic happiness which had
4 been filling in all the way from the
Z Indies,
ldian't expect to find her when
/ reached South Hampton, but | must
saw that | was disappointed when
didn't find her waiting for me at the
railroad station, for / had sent her
telegram saying exactly when I'd
reach Lancing. hurried to her
home but she wasn't there. Her
mother said she had gone to Worth
Ing, but she was expecting her in
every minute.
Presently my lass came in. But
couldn't make her out. Her greeting
was cold. She wasn't the happy
Este had left. was so full of the
uture-of the home and the boat
was going to set up-that didn't
4 trouble much about it at that time.
Next morning | paid visit to old
limbs boathouse along the coast.
He had always taken an interest in
q me and my voyages, and l wanted
tOtalk over with him the boat in
& tended building. When | entered =,
Old limbs was gossiping to swell
4 Oiatellow about ships, sailing and
navigation generally. AS | reckoned
n knew something of navigation, |
Y put my spoke.
who is our nautical friend ?" said
i the gent in a tone of voice | didn't
like
Paul Alison" said old limbs,
jeest back from the Injies and jnun
tar OF the first water"
"0h," said the gent, looking at me
through an eyeglass. After that in
spectlon he went out.
And who is that swell, limbs ?" !
asked.
"a swell he is. His name is Mr..
WlIIerby Seaton, and he's staying It
Worthing, but he comes down here
for his boating"
Well, after | had had my chat with
old limbs | went to see Elsie. As
reached the cottage CHANGED to
glance down the lane running at the
side.
Could it be? Yes, | had no doubt
otit There was Elsie taking leave
Of a stranger, and that stranger was
the man had seen in the boathouse
MIR. Willoughby Seaton.
waited at the door till she came
up. When she saw me, she turned
white as a new trimmed sailing
sheet.
Elsie" said l, that's a strange
craft | saw you with just now"
why Paul. you're not going to be
/ JEALOUS? He's only visitor in these
parts, who's been very kind to Gran
n ny MiIls-the old lady's down with
rheumatism, you know. met him
When | was visiting there, and
couldn't do more than say Good
day to him, could I?'
looked very shecpish after that
anG quickly steered off in another
direction. l talked to her about ouI
coming marriage, about the little
d nest was preparing and the boat
Intended building to be called after
q Rt-the Elsie.
q 1t must have been three days after
mat when, on coming down to my
breakfast, | found note awaiting
ME. 1t ran:
Dear Paul-Don't think anything
more OF me. am unworthy OF you
ny the time you read this shall
nave married another. Forget ano
forgive. Elsie.
1t was long time before moved
after reading this heartless note.
was like one smitten with paralysis
when did move it was to curse the
man. Mr.. Willoughby Seaton, as
guessed who had done me this great
Wrong.
quilt that boat, but it WASH
SaIled the Elsie. / christened it the
iMarla, after the woman who, yeal
, "u' became my wife. People rounc
a az were talking of me, you see
az az the Tilted man, and as l didn'
eare tor that sort of pity, married