The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-04

alities. Although they are much OF the
same size and pattern, an observing eye
would have picked out the Binnie cottage
90 distinctive and prepossessing. Its out.
side walls were as white as lime could
make them, its small windows frightened
with geraniums, and a muslin cur
tain, and the litter of ropes and nets and
drying Ash which encountered the major
fly of thatches were pleasantly absent
Standing on q little level, 30 feet above
the shingle, IL faced the open sea, and
was constantly flled with the confused
tones of its signing surges, and penetrat-
ed by the Its puissting, tremendous vi
tality. It had been the home of many
generations of Binnies, and the very old
and the very young had usually shared
its comforts together, but at the time of
NV story there remained of the family
only the widow of the last proprietor,
her SON Andrew, and her daughter ChriA-
tina.
Christina was 20 years old and still nu-
married-a strange thing in Pittencraigie,
where early marriage is the rule. Some
said she was vain and set up with her
beauty, anc could find no lad good
enough, others thought she was a selfish,
cold hearted lassie, feared for the cares
and labors of a fishers wife. On this
July afternoon the girl had been some
hours stretching and mending the pile of
nets Mt her feet, but at ength they were
in perfect order, and she threw her arms
upward and outward TO relieve their wea-
riness, and then went to the open door.
The tide was coming in, but the children
were still padding in the pools, and on
the cold blsdder-wrack, and she stepped
forward TO the edge of the cliff and
threw them some wild geranium and rag
wort. Then she stood mo,lonless in the
bright sunlight, looking down the shingle
toward the pier and the little tavern,
fch anne I'm ha
rough monotonous songs which sea men
sing.
Standing thus in the clear strong light,
her great beauty was not 10 be denied.
She was tall and not too slender, and at
this moment the set OF her head was like
that of q thoroughbred horse, when 1t
pricks its ears to listen. She had full soft
brown eyes, with long lashes and heavy
eyebrows; an open-air complexion, daz-
cling even teeth, an abundance of dark
ripping hair, and q flush of ardent life,
opening her wide nostrils and stirring
gently the exquisite mould of her throat
and bust. The moral impression she gave
was that of pure, strong, comDassionate
woman; cool headed, but not cold; capa-
BILE OF vigorous joys and griefs. After a
few minutes investigation she went back
20 the cottage and stood in the open door
way with. her head leaning against the
Intel Her mother had begun to pre-
Ing over the fire, and the oat-cakes toast
ing before II; yet as she moved rapidly
about she was watching her daughter
and very soon she gave words to her
thoughts.
'Christina, you'll no require to be
looking after Andrew. The lad has been
asleep ever since he eat his dinner"
al know that, mother"
sand II it's jamie Lauder you're think
ing o., let me tell you it's a poor busi-
ness. / have a fear and an inward down
sinking about that young man."
"Periect nonsense, motherl There's
nothing 10 fear you about jamie
"What good ever came through folk
saved from the sea? They bring sorrow
back WI them, and that's TACT weel
known"
"whst could Andrew do but save the
lad?"
"why was the lad running before such
. seat He should have got into harbor;
there was time enough. And II Il was
Andrews duty to save him, il Is ma your
duty 10 be loving him; you may TAX
that much sense from me-. "
"whist, motherl lie hasna said a word
o. love TO mep
"He perfectly changes colors the mo-
ment he sees you, and you are Just max
ing yourself speculation to the whole
village. Christina. I'm no liking the
look o. the thing, and Andrews no lIk-
ing II, and II you dinna taxi care o. your
seif, you'll be In burning fever o. first
love and beyont all reasoning with.
The girl flushed hOtly, came into the
house and began 10 reset the tea tray, for
she heard Jamie's steps upon the rocky
road. ana his voice, clear as blaokbird,
gsiIy wbistling ''In the Bay OF the Biscay
"Tbe tea cups are a. right Christina.