, 1896-04-22
DAFTY KATE.

AON6A ~ e eAAs
among the sand dunes in such n way
that only its roof and small portions Of
it, walls are visible.
It IL made up Of wreckage that has
been picked up on the shore, with here
and there q stick Of lumber that looks
u II it might have come fresh from the
sawmill. The structure has the appear
ance Of q huge ships cabin. Outside the
door stands a bench. well worn by fish
ermen. who have for more than a dozen
years looked after the welfare of the &C.
cupant Of this modest dwelling. who
goes by the name Of Dafty Kate.
Dafty Kate is q woman about 40
years old, tall, strong and healthy. For
Is years she has lived in the house on
the beach, and many times has she
helped the fishermen row through the
breakers to some foundered vessel and
save the crew. She ia rational enough
on most subjects, but she is q constant
son comes to her door the first thing she
says is:
"Willie is coming in tonight. The
Firelight ia due here a little past 8
O'Clock"
Every night for 10 years Dafty Kate
has set on a stand built for the pur-
pose in front of the door of her hut a
lantern. which she says will guide Will
lie safely in if the freight should hap
pen to sail in while she is asleep.
The womap's story is an extremely
SrfopocfSnn orA rOthotiO ~ Etfto,r
years ago she was called the belle of
Cape May. She was the daughter of a
prosperous dealer in oysters, who owned
q number Of sloops aud was considered
rich.
Kate's parents were very proud Of her.
She was an only child, and they in
dulged her in everything that would add
to her pleasure. There were two suitors
for her hand. One was a thrifty young
merchant in a small town near Cape
May, the other was the son of an old sea
captain whose days Of activity were
over and who lived a quiet life with his
only son and n daughter. A strong at
tachment sprung up between Kate and
the fsherman's daughter. and when the
fisherman q son came home from a voy-
age to the western islands he promptly
fell in love with Kate.
Rates parents were ambitious for her
to marry money, and they insisted that
she should give the fisherman's son a
cold shoulder aud encourage the young
merchant, but the girl refused to do SO.
The name Of the man to whom Kato
had given her heart was William King,
and when he sailed away one day Gu u
trip - mate Of the b%rigantine Sea Foam
she was his promised wife.
Kate's father and mother were glad to
zee William 60. for that would give the
young merchant an opportunity to press
his suit, and he did. but Kate was true
to the 6sherman's son aud would have
nothing to do with the man Of her par
ents' choice.
William Kings voyage took him to
China, and he was to be gone something
like 10 months. When Kate's parents
found that she would not marry the
man. they bad chosen for her. they be-
am very angry and turned her out of
doors. expecting n 10 Doubt that she would
repent and do ~ they wanted her to.
But the girl was not made of that sort
Of stun. She went to live with the cap
tain's family and remained there for
nearly two years, waiting for her sailor
lover to return, but he didn't come.
One day Q report reached Cape May
that the brigantine Sea Foam had foun-
dsred somewhere in the vicinity Of the
Falkland islands. and that all on board
were lost. The story had the effect If
prostrating Hate. who lay for several
months at the point Of death, but she
finally recovered.
It was noticed that the girls mind
had been seriously affected. She appear
ed to be rational enough ON all subjects
but that Of her lovers return. She ill.,
sisted that he would return and insisted
upon setting q light on a stand on the
beach every night 20 that it would be u
guide to him.
With their daughters misfortune the
hearts Of Hates parents softened. and
they insisted on her coming home with
them to live. but she refused to do SO,
protesting that she must stay on the
beach. where she could watch for
Willie" all the time. She refused an
oder made by her father to bnild her 4
Mica cottage on the sands. She said she
didn't want any comforts that Willie
couldn't enjoy. and go one day the fsh-
srmen built q rough structure. and Kate
took up her residence there.
The captains daughter spent q good
deal Of time with her for two or three
ysars. but she finally got married and
went At . distance to live. The old cap
tain died. Kate's parents crossed the
dark river and the young woman was
left alone.
Rates parents left IN estate valued
at several thousand dollars, and she was
the only heir, but abe refused to touch
q penny IT IL until Willie came back Ia
spioy It with her.
II wxS.thought that the girls mental
condition might improve II she was
shut up in nj for TIRES month";, but she
heg9ed 20 hard 10 b allowed to con-
time her vigil that shs wa finally a.
lowed 10 return to her hnmbls home On
tbs bsach.
Kate Supported herself By Ashina and
accepting lavoEs from the sympathstis
labeemsn, who looksd after her with =
care that Was almost af1ectionate In ita
nature, and shs became an expert oars
woupan, and coald manage . sailboat
equal 10 IT, ~ Il them.
esvsn Nile Beach rs Wild plsce tn
y 4tne Il Storm. Is IL open to TIE
Gseon, ana . rood many times the ocean
NAaApoehst nels escssdingly nasty. A