Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-06-13
SHE'S ALL THE
WORLD TO ME-.
By HALL 0AIEE,
Author Of "T'he Manzmdn." "7he Dcsm-
stcr," etc.
PRoEM
CHAPTER VI

| hlnNlBs 8 mousse, ana tO1etner tney wei
over the net factory. In large room ia.
ing the sea dozen hand looms for the mar
ufacture Of drift nets had been set uT
Each loom was worked by young won
an, and she had three levers to keep In az
tion-one with the hand and the other
with the feet
Kinvig explained, with all the ardor G
an enthusiast, the manifold advantage Q
the new loom over the old one with whic
Christian was familiar; dwelt on the knots
the ties and the speed, exhibited new rec
for the unwinding of the cotton threa,
from the skcln, and described new meth
cd Of barking when the nets come off tn
looms. Pausing now and then with tn
light Of triumph In his eyes, he shouted
Where's your Geordie Stephenson now
Eha"
Christian listened with every appear
ance of rapt attention and from time I,
time put questions which were at least re
specially relevant. A quicker eye thar
Kerruish Kinvig's might perhaps hav,
seen that the young mans attention was
on the whole, moro occupied with the net
makers than with their looms, and thai
his quick gaze glanced from face to facC
with an inquiring expression.
A child Of very tender years was working
little thread reel at the end of the room
and on some pretense Christian left Kin
wigs side, stepped up to the child and
spoke to her about the click clack of the
levers and cranks. The little woman lift
ed her head to reply, but having a full
view Of her face Christian turned away
without waiting for her answer
After quarter of an hour all Chris.
tian's show Of interest could not quite con.
ceal look of weariness. One would have
said that he had somehow been disappoint.
ed In this factory and its contents Some.
thing that he had expected to SEQ he had
not seen. Just then Kinvig announced that
the choicest of his looms was in another
ROOM This one would not only make q
special knot, but would cut and finish.
e 1t is q delicate instrument and wants
great care in the working" said Kinvig.
In that regard the netmaker considered
himself fortunate, for he had just hit on q
wonderfully smart young woman who
could work it as well, Kenvig verify be-
lieved, as he could work it himself.
who Is shep" said Christian.
:" A stranger in these parts-came from
the south somewhere, Castletown way"
said Kinvig And he added with a grin,
Haven't you heard of her?"
Christian gave no direct reply, but dis
played the profoundest curiosity as to this
latest development in netmaking ingenui-
ty He was forthwith carried off to inspect
Kinvig's first treasure in looms
The two men stepped into little room
apart, and there, working at the only loom
that the room contained, was little Ruby 8
sister, Mona Cregeen. The young woman
was putting her foot on one of the lower
treadles when they entered She made a
slight but perceptible start, and the lever
went up with bang
Tut my girl, how's this2' said Kin
Wig See-you've let that line of meshes
off the hooks"
The girl stopped, replaced the threads
one after one with nervous fingers, and
then proceeded with her work in silence.
Kinvig was beginning an elaborate en-
gineering disquisition for Christian S bene-
flt--Christian head certainly did hang
rather too low for Kinvig's satisfaction
when q girl comes in from the outer fac
tory to say that man at the gate would
like to see the master.
BotherationP' shouted Kinvig. 'But
wait here Christian, and I'll be back"
Then, turning to the young weaver
Show this gentleman the action of the
loom, my girl"
When the door had closed behind Mr..
Kinvig, Christian raised his eyes to the
y.n-y yUnfnon1a fana HNhnrn ell
between them for moment. The window
of the room was open, and the salt breath
OF the ocean foated in. The seas deep
was all that could be heard be-
tween the clicks Of the levers Then Chris
tian said softly:
Mona, have you decided Will you go
backP"
The girl lifted her eyes to his. mo"
she answered quietly.
think again, Mona; think of me. It
isn't that couldn't wish to have you here
always here-always with me-
The girl gave little hard laugh.
But think Of the riskr' continued
Christian, more eagerly. sis it nothing
that am tortured with suspense already,
but that you should follow mes"
And do suffer nothingp" said She
There was no laughter on Christians
lips now The transformation to earnest
pallor was startling.
"Think of my father" he said, evading
the girls question. II have all but i'm
poverished him already with my cursed
follies, and little does he dream, poor old
dad, Of the utter ruin that yet hangs over
his head"
There was pause Then, in tender
tone:
Mona, don't add to my eternal worries.
Go back to Derby Haven, like the dear girl
that you are And when this storm blows
over, and 1t will soon be past, then all
shall be made right. Yes, it shall, believe
me-"
There was no answer. Christian con-
tinued
"Go at once, my girl Here" diving
Into his pockets, i've precious little mon
ey left, God help me, but here's enough to
pay your way and something to spare"
He offered a purse in his palm. The
girl tossed up his hand with disdainful
gesture.
Its not money want from you." she
said
Christian looked at her with blank
amazement She caught the expression
and answered it with naughty curl of
the lip The sneer died off her face on the
instant, and the tears began to gather in
her eyes
It's not tive girl wants thenp" she
said, struggling to curl her lip again
Its not love, then, that a girl like me
can want" she said.
She had stopped the loom and covered
up her face in her hands.
mo, no." she added, with stif1ed sob,
"love is for ladies--fne ladies in silks and
satins-pure, virtuous. Christian" she
exclaimed, dropping her hands and look
ing into his face with indignant eyes, II
suppose there's asort of woman that wants
nothing Of man but money--is thereP"
Christians lips were livid That's not
what / meant, Mona, believe me, he said.
The loom was still. The sweet serenity
of the air left hardly sense of motion.
k.t a.. g. a. ~