The Monticellonian., 1895-09-20
FROM coo ROCK.
BY MAY D. HATCH.


 It was variously designated the "Turtlebacl," the .'Turtledove, and sometimes merely the Dove The old salts of the island knew it only as the Turtle back rock, named for its decided resemblance to the shining brown shell of monster tortoise protruding from the water; but oa Geeount of it's charm ing security for a tete-a-tete and for the appreciation 1t met with from those who were strong enough swimmers L. enjoy it's advantages the name which had been given to it for it's erustaeean likeness was usually perverted into the simple, melodious appellation "Coc rock. v Indeed, 50 general had this term become that even the venerable guests of the Shawkemo house. dis cussing the tide which covered it pretty well at the full. would call it so in all seriousness, possibly confusing it, men. tally spelled with t k, 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 1t.
 It 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 reioiced in | thousand shifting blues in the sun shine, the hathers were feW-a half dozen boys at the school age turning baet-somersaults of the float, some children paddlinR around in the wet sand with their clothes tucked up be hind out of the vet like cock feathers, and staid matron or two hear shore, mildly bobbinR mp and down ineased in flannel and bathers' hats
 As Marie Trask walked down the float for her morning plunge she nodded to the boys, looked out over the water, and sat down a moment OH the edge to try it's temperature. She felt a little lonely, little depressed; she swung her feet-irreproaehable in size, in shape, and in black silk stock ings-lazily in the water, and medi- tated.
 She was comedy object for the Wa ter 10 reflect d trim. sreitc, gtrlish figure in a welI-Htting black bathing suit. her blonde skin Drowned by the outdoor life she was leading, her eyes clear gray. small nose which had tendency to be Roman, sweet, happy mouth that Was quick to smile and show the white teeth that had not yet lost their baby unevenness at the edges, and crowninR all, her sunny blonde hair; not so much of it. but 1t crinlSled and ripPled over her head in such a fashion that no one came near her but wanted tolay hand on it and smooth it down bit, just to feel how soft and silky ii was.
 She looked over toward the rock, it was quite distance ont in the tittie harbor, and the tide ran rapidly there at the turn. 1t was about full now, but it would he slack water for some time yet, and she thought she would try it. She had been out there often. but never alone. She was strong swimmer for a girl. and destitute of fear; but always before to-day there had been someone to go with her.
 She slipped off the float; the watef was perfectly clear and just cooler than the air With strong, quieI strokes she started for the rock as goal; half-way out she grew a little tired, hoated a few minutes to rest. and then swan on. It seemed much further than usual; but always be ore she had been diverted on the way with manly converse, or given a friendly hand if she were tired At last she reached it, pulled herself eagerly up to the highest bulging point of the rock, and gave d sigh of satisfaction. She turned her back to the shore and looked out at the hiIl-clasped harbor
 What a perfect day it was! She was irritated with herself for being blue, but how could she help 1t when other people made idiots of themselyes2
 Whata stupid thing for her not to have looked through the book. any way, before she had leutit to him; bat at least she had discovered in time what a jealous, doubting friend she had almost consented to marry She every word of the letter she had found waiting for her that morning. 1t ran:
 DEAR MARIE. When you loaned me Dob sons poems iast night l do not think you knew you had left tho inclosed verses in the book Perhaps l should not have re4d them lCortainly he should not, Marie thought but ] have done so They sag that 6 woman $ ia- stinct Is quick to rush at the truth; 8 man has that instinct when he loves By the sig nature, Jack l knew at once they were from Jack Edgerton, and that he must have written them 10 you when you left the Edgerton camp three weeks ago Only three weeks It un- nerYed me to think he had tho right to say such things to you such little whiic ago. and -yes. and you have let me believe you loved me
 T am going to leave on the 10 this morn ing. l cannot bear to stop to say good-bys l Yours, DARRELL" And the verses Dear Eyes. they were called:
 .So many eyes meet mine each day
 Earnest and tender and eyes that smile,
 Or dark without hope. and ell tAe while
 think Of you who have gone away
 T long so to look in your eyes, dear
 Your eyes that speak 10 ny soal until
 The cry of earths loneliness grows stili A l draw you so near,-so near
 She had never known Jack could make rhyme till these verses had came to her Dear, honest Jack how
 @e II he knew all the
 J0ght about No,
 sold him responet-