The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-08-17
CcSpwIh lsoN
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
Il would be easy to walk many TINA
through "Fiis aud a the lands about IT.
and never once 6nd the little fishing
haulato Plttsnraigle- Indeed It would
be a singular thing II it was found, un-
less some special business and direction
led to it. For clearly it was never in
tended tina. human beings should build
homes where these cottages cling to-
gether, between sea and sky; q few here
aud few there, hidden away in every
bend Of the rock, where a little ground
could BIO leyelled, until the tides, in
stormy weather, break with threat and
fury on the very dOOr''toPS OF tue lowest
YET as tho lofty ssmielrcls Of hills
bends inward, the sea iolloWs, aud there
il a fair harbor, where the fishing boats
ride together, while their sails dry in
the afternoon sun. Then tho hamlet is
still for the men ara sleeping of the
wearinesa Of thar night work, while the
children play quietly among the tangle
and tho women mend nets or bait the
lines for the next fishing a lonely lit
tie spot, shut In by sea and land, and
vet life is there in all its passionate
yariety-loye and hate, Jealousy and
ayarice, youth, with lta ideal sorrows
and infinite expectations; age, with its
memories and regrets, and sure aud
certain hope"
The cottages also have their indiVid.
ualities. Although they are much OF
the same sizs and pattern, au observing
eye would have picked out the Binnie
cottage as distinctive and prepoSaesslng.
Its outside walls were as white IS lime
could mako them, It's small windows
frightened with geraniums, aud a mus.
lin curtain, and the litter OF ropes and
nets and drying fish which encumbOred
the majority OF matches was pleasantly
absent Standing on little level,
thirty feet above the shingle, 1t faced
the open sea, and was constantly filed
With the confused tones Of its signing
surges, and penetrated by its pulsating,
tremendous vitality. II had been the
home OF many generations OF BinuieS,
and the very old and the very young
had usually shared iIs comforts to-
gether, but at the time Of my story
there remained OF the family only tue
widow Of the last proprietor, her son
Andrew and her daughter Christina.
Christina was twenty years old and
still unmarrisd--a strange thing in Pit.
tencraigje, where early marriage is tho
rule. Some said sho was vain and set
up with her beauty, aud could find no
lad good enough; Others thought Sho
was selfish. cOld.beartel lRBia, feared
for the cares aud labora Of fishers
wife. On this July afternoon the girl
had been some hOnrs stretching and
mendiny the pile Of nets at her feet but
at length they Woro in perfect order,
and sha threw her arms upward and
outward to relieve thOlt WEAKNESS, aud
ilen went to the open door. The tide
was coming in, but the children were
tIiIl padding in the pools, and on the
cold bladder.wFeck, and she stepped for
ward TO the edge OF tho cliff and threw
them some wild geranium and ragWort
Then she stood motionleBs in the bright
sunlight, looking down the Shingle to-
wards the pier and tho little tavern
from which came in drOwsy tones tho
rough monotonouS songs which sea men
sing.
Standing thus in tho clear strong
light, her great beauty was not to be
denied. She was tall and not too slen.
der, and at this moment the set OF her
head was like that Of thoroughbed
horse, when it prckg its cars to listen.
She had full soft brown eyes, with long
lashes and heavy eyebrows; an open.
air complexion. dazzling even teeth, an
abundance Of dark ripping hair, and q
flush Of ardent lie, opening her wide
nostrils and stirring gently the exquisite
mould Of her throat aud bust The
moral impression she gave was that Of
pure, strong, compassionate woman
cool.hOadOd, but not cold; capable oil
vigorous Joys and grieis. After u few
minutes investigation she went back
TO the cottage aud stood in the open
doorway with her head leaning agains,
the Intel. Her mother had begun Ia
prepare the evening meal; fresh fish
was frying over the lire, aud tho cat.