The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-15

through Fife and q the lands about X
aud never once Ind the little fishing ham
ses Of Pfttencralgie. Indeed & VOID oe
a singular thing II 4 vas found unless
some special business and direction ied 70
81 For clearly r. Was never INTENDED tnat
human beings should build homes where
these cottages cling together, between sea
and sky. a few here and a few sHefe'
hidden away 10 every bend OF the rock.
where little ground could De leFeied'
until the tides, IN stormy weather break
with threat ard fury on me very door
stefys OF the lowest cottages.
Yet as the lofty Femieircle OF hills
bends Inward. the sea follows. and there
IS a fair harbor. where the fishing boats
ride together, while their sails dry N inc
afternoon sun Then the hamlet Is stu.
for the men are sleeping on tho WEAKNESS
OF their night work, waIlc the chiI1ren
play quietly among the tangle ana the
women mend nets or bait the lines Tor the
next fishing a lonely little spot. shut IN
bv sea and land. and yet life - there IN
all its passionate vaTiety-Iove and hate.
JEALOUSY and avarica. youth. with It's ideal
sorrows and Infinite expectations; age,
with IT'S memories and regrets, ana sure
and certain hope.
The cottages also have their indivi9u-
aistiez Although they are much OF the
same size and pattern. an observing eye
would have picked out the Binnie cottage
al distinctive and prepo5SesssnA us
outside walls were as white as lime eond
make them, its small windows frightened
with reraninms and n muslin curtain. and
che litter OF ropes and nets and dF%in&
fgh which sncumbercd the majority or
shatrbes we're pleasantly absent. Stand
ing on a little level, thirty fcet above we
shlngIe IL faced the open sea. ana was
constantly hlled win the confused notes
OF IT, signing surges. and penetrated oy
sts initiating tremendous vitality. II haG
been the home OF many generations Of
Etnuies. and the very old and the very
voung had usually shared ats comforts to-
vethsr, but a. the time Of my story there
remained OF the family only the WHO" OF
the last proprietor. her son Andrew anu
her daughter Christina.
e-hrIntina was ~ years old and still un-
rnarried-a strange thing in Pittencraigie.
where early marriage Is the rule Some
said she was vain and set up with her
beauty. and could find no lad good enouSh'
Others thought she was selhsh. cold
hearted lassie feared for the cares and
labafs Of a fishers wife, On this juiy
afternoon the girl had been some hours
stretching and mendug the pile OF nets
nj her feet but Al length they were in per
fec. order and she threw her arms up
ward and outward 10 relieve their weari-
ness. and then went 10 the open door. The
tide was coming in. but the children were
stiIi padding In the pools and on the
cold bladder wrack and she stepped for
ward 10 the edge Of the cliff and threw
them some Wild geranium and ragwort.
Then she stood motionless in the bright
sunlight looking down tho shingie to-
wards the pier and the little tavern. from
which came in drowsy tones the rough
munotouous songs which sea men sing.
Standing thus in the clear, strong light.
her great beauty was not TO be denied.
She was tall. and not too slender. and at
this moment the set Of her head was like
.fa -haY. .
pricks it's ears 10 listen. She had FULL
soft eyes. with long lashes and heavy
eyebrows. an open-air complexion, daz-
zling even teeth. an abundance OF dark
ripping hair. and a flush OF ardent life.
opening her wide nostrils and stirring gen
lily the exquisite mold or her throat and
hpEt. The moral impression she gave WIS
that of pure, strong. compassionate
woman, cooi~headed. bat not cold Capa-
bic OF vigorous joys and griefs. After
few minutes investigation she went back
TO the cottage and stood in the open door
way with her head leaning against tho
Intel. Her mother had begun To prepare
tho evening meal. fresh fish was frying
over the IRE. ana the oatcakes toAsting be-
fore IL: yet as she moved rapidly about
she was watching her daughter and very
soon gave words 70 her thoughts.
Christina. you'll no require 10 be look
ing after Andrew, The lad has been asleep
ever since he ate hls dinner"
Il know that mother"
And IL IT'S Jamie Lauder you're think
ing O.. let me tell you it's poor business.
have a fear and an inward down-sInking
about that young man."
Perfect nonsense, mother There's moth
Ing 10 fear you about jamie"
"What good ever came through folk
saved from the sea? They bring sorrow
hack WI them. and that's fact weel
known
What could Andrew do but save the
iade''
'Why was the lad running before such a
sea- tie should have got into harbor:
there was time enough Aud IL it was An
drew's duty 10 save him. IL Is ma your duty
10 no loving him. YOU may TAX that much
sense from me"
whist. motherl 10 hasna said word
o love Is me-"
"He perfectly changes Colors the moment
he secs YOU, and you are Just making your
self a speculation 10 the whole village.
Christina. Tn po liking tho look - the
thing. and Andrews no Hiking a. and II
Nou dina tax care a. yourself v0u'u be
81 a burning fever o. urst love and bcyont
all reasoning with
Tn girl flushed holly. came into th,
house aud began 20 reEet the Tea tray. for
she beard Jame's steps upon the rocky
road and his voice. cirsr no . hlackhfrd' 3
raylS whjstinE "iu tho eaN az RiSrav - 90
'Fhe tea curs are a' right Christina.
I'm talking arc0t Jamie isHdrr. The Dad
s. Just a temptation to Nr~ ans Youll mood
10 ask for strength 90 ne kept frou, t.rrgpte-
ton. for the rast a. us tlua4 expect
strength - resist t'''
Christina turned her face 20 har mother
and then left her 80 answer Jamie Tatt-
der lie came rs ~ The worenf vith q
little tartan shawl in hl> haud. which ne
Eallsntlv threw across the shoulders ai
Mistress Biunie ~ haze inst bought 8.
& from pel6lcr loon" he Eafa "Tt'~ h1r.