The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-11-09
FROM COO ROCK.
By MAY ID. HATCH.

It was variously designated the
Turtle back" the 'Turtledove," and
sometimes merely the Dove" The old
salts of the island knew 1t only as the
Turtleback rock, named for its decided
resemblance to the shining brown shell
of monster tortoise protruding from
the water; but OF account OF Its charm
ing security for tete-a-tete and tor
the appreciation it met with from those
who were strong enough swimmers to
enjoy its advantages the name which
had been given to it for its crustacean
likeness was usually perverted into the
simple, meiodious appellation: Goo
rock" Indeed. SO general had this
term become that even the venerable
guests of the Shawkemo house, dis
cussing the tide which covered it pretty
we'll at the full, would call 1t SO In all
seriousness, possibly confusing it, men-
tally spelled with X, with the various
Indian names with which the island
abounded, or believing it had refer
ence, spelled with c, to the gentle
tapping of the waves about It.
1t was Monday morning. Most OF
the men who had come to spend Sun
day ON the island had returned to
town, three hours distant by rail; and,
although the day was exquisitely clear
and beautiful and the bay rejoiced in
thousand shifting blues in the sun
shine, the bathers were few-a hall
dozen boys ut the school age turning
back-somersaults off the float, some
children padding around In the wet
sand with their clothes tucked up be-
hind out of the wet like cock feathers,
and staid matron or two near shore,
mildly bobbing up and down incased
In flannel and bathers' hats
As Marie Trask walked down the
float for her morning plunge she
nodded to the boys, looked ont over
the water, and sat down moment on
the edge to try it's temperature. She
felt a little lonely, little depressed;
she swung her feet-irreproachable In
siza in shape, and in black silk stock
ings-lazily in the water, and medi-
tated.
She was comely object for the wa
ter to reflect; trim, srsIe, glrish
figure in a well-fitting black bathing
suit. her blonde skin Drowned by the
outdoor life she was leading, her eyes
clear gray, a small nose which had
tendency to be Roman, sweet. happy
mouth that was quick to smile and
show the white teeth that had not ye'
lost their baby unevenness at the
edges, and, browning all, her sunny
blonde hair; not SO much OF it. but i
crinlsled and rippled over her head II
such fashion that no one came nea'
her but wanted to- lay hand on IL an'
smooth it down a bit, just to feel how
soft and silky it was
She looked over toward the rock;
was quite a distance out in the littl
harbor, and the tide ran rapidly Their
Mt the turn. 1t was about full now
but it would be slack water for som
time vet, and she thought she woui
try It. She had been out there often
but never, alone. She was stron
swimmer for girl. and destitute G
fear; but always before to-day Their
had been someone to go with her.
She slipped off the float; the waite
was perfectly clear and just coole
than the air. With strong, quie
strokes she started for the rock as
poal: halfway out she grew littl
tired. fioated few minutes to res
md then swan on. 1t seemed muc
further than usual; but always oefol
.hc had been diverted on the way wit
manly converse, or given friendl
hand II she were tired At last ST
reached it, pulled herself eagerly up
the highest bullying point OF the roc
and gave n sigh of satisfaction. 81
turned her back to the shore ar
looked out at the hill-clasped harbo
What a perfect day it was! She W.
;rritated with herself for being blu
but how could she help 1t when otn
people made idiots of themselves
What Il stupid thing for her not
have looked through the book, an
,vav before she had lent it to him; o
M jeast she had discovered IN TIN
what a Jealous. doubling friend s.
had almost consented to marry. >
remembered every word Of the lett
She had found waiting Tor ner IN
morning. tran;
DEAR MARIE: When you loaned me De
sons poems last night, 90 not tnins y
rness Won hai left the incloscd verses IN
Saoe perhaps should not have read tn
lcersainly he should not. Mario thought.
xrsrc doae so They say that woman
s.iset IS Quick to rush at the truth Q %
has that instinct when he loves. by tne
nature, jack knew At oace they we're q.
Jack Edgerton. and that he mus. nave VIII,
three weeks ago. Only three weeks IT
nervcl me TO think he had the right to
such things to you such little while ago.
Yes. and you have let me believe you 10y
II an gcsag to lsave on the $40 thia mo
$50 I eqsHes bear fe stop 70 say soeas
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