The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-05-02
All that night it froze hard, and the cal

All that night it froze hard, and the cal
sea lay moaning like dog on It's cnaIu
Shelah heard it as he stood in the lonely
sentry-box of the life-boat lookout. In the
morning the ost-bowed blades of the sea
grass had changed the dunes into q great
glistening bed of white coral. As usual
Shelah called at the Ship" for Tom Rseks
He had barely entered when he heard q
horses hoofs on the hard road. A horseman
reined up at the inn, and Shelah drew back
into the shadow. "SheIahl" It was
Jenny who spoke. She stood white and
trembling on the cellar steps. "Will-will
you take him this2"
Strangely fascinated at being called upon
for such an act, Shelah took from her the
measure of sparkling ale, and, like man in
q dream, carried it to the door. With his
head down he walked up to the rider A
loud Hem!" caused him to start and look
up. Instead of the young brewer he was
facing the old one. The elder Rivington
looked at the ale as doctor might look at
his own medicine. "No, my man, I don't
care for anything as early as this. If you'll
have the goodness to hold my horse while |
dismount. Thank ZEE. Tether him there
will you? want 10 see the landlord. Is
he in?"
Before Shelah could answer Reeks gave
evidence of his bodily presence by appearing
at the doorway. The brewer walked in,
followed by Shelah. Rivington, senior, was
a pleasant, chatty, old gentleman, and he
soon disclosed the object OF bis visit. A ball
was going to be held at HerriDgbourne
town hall, and he was distributing invita-
tions to such of his tenants as chose TO at
tend. AS he was passing-quite by acci-
dent, he assured them-he felt he ought not
to miss the landlord of the "Ship." There
were the tickets, and he hoped that Reeks
and his daughter would attend.
I" forgot to mention" he said blandly, as
Reeks, after expressing his thanks, took
them up, that this ball is to be held in
honor Of my son Cyril's marriage. He is to
be married this week to the daughter of q
very old friend of mine-a man of Kent.n
As he finished, q low sobbing cry startled
all but Shelah. A beer-warmer had ratified
to the floor, and Jenny stood yaeantly star
ing into little lake of the split liquid at
her feet.
"Why, what's the matter, lass?" said
Reeks "you look as white as a ghost.n
Nothing, father" she answered, family,
"noihing only the heat of the fire."
THAT is what it was,n said old Rivington
perienced the same sensation myself Well,
good-day, Reeks; hope you will find it con-
venient to attend"
He nodded pleasantly, untethered his
horse from the palings and mounted it. As
be rode away he smiled softly and patted
his horses name. Shelah Baxter came out
of the Ship" and walked aimlessly down
to his boat. The serf was boiling on the
Scroby, and great rollers with foaming crests
were racing in and tumbling upon the sun
lighted beach. He stood awhile absently
watching the little salt fountains which
their recoil left bubbling in the sand, then
mounted the tall hillock to look for Reeks
On the top he started and his tanned cheeks
grew pale. At the base of mound by a
dwarfed elump of furze sat girl, sobbing
violently. 1t was Jenny Reeks. He de-
scended the side she was on and gently
touched her shoulder. you'll catch cold
lass" he said sadly. I" if you sit here"
Through her tear-brimmed eyes she looked
into his face. Not a word of reproach
Only in his eyes was the love that had been
so constant and true. With q little catch
ing of her breath Jenny rose and drew back;
then, with conyulsiye cry, she flung her
arms wildly around his neck, and there
sobbed until she could sob no more. When
they went back to the Ship" Reeks met
them at the door. Something in their at
titude made him softly whistle. A nearer
view of their faces made him chuekle. 1t
seemed as if Shelah had taken his advice
and plucked up at last - Chambers's Journal.