Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-09-16


on q crimson tinge. They sat down on
the white sand, and they could see away
up the shore and across the inlet two
fgures-females One of them had a
white scarf about her head and the 9TH
er a scarlet one, but beyond this the
young men could not make them out.
'tAhl it is a comfort to know we are
not wholly shut out from the world"
said Casper, blowing Whit of smoke
in the direction of the figures.
81 am willing toworship alta distance"
replied Alick. Pm glad the inlet sepa-
rates us, but I've no doubt they are the
wives or daughters of some of the fish
ernen up the beach"
Them" said Sam White, when one of
the young men asked him who his fair
neighbors were, "them's some folks
from the city as have taken the ole Ben
per place for the summer. It's more
lonelier over there than it is here, but
when ole Cap'n Beener he was alvin,
there was no end of company over there,
but that's years and years ago"
81 suppose there's no danger of any
of the strangers coming over here?"
asked Alick Freeman, with the slight
hope that the old fisherman would say
there was a great deal OF danger.
Not the least Git" replied Sam
White, "but as there's two young ladies
over there and two young men over
here, why, the chances is that some
how they'll get together afore long"
THAT'S human nature" said Mrs.
White, looking up from the potatoes
she was peeIing; "the boys'll seek out
the gals just as ducks goes barefooted
to the water
Alicll limited that he was an eXcep-
ton, and that while he did not positive
~ hate the other sex, their presence
was essential to his misery, and much
more to the same effect, all of which
Mrs. White heard with strange twin
kle in her gray eyes that plainly told
she had her doubts, not of the young
mans sincerity, but Of his reasoning.
The friends slept in the cabin that
night. as they had not slept for years.
Through the little windows the cool sea
breeze poured in, laden with health
md the balmy odor that brings sleep.
When they evoke the sun was 1iash-
ing on the sea and transforming into
snow 5anll the bar about two mics
out. where a great, black buoy rose ana
fell on the waves.
They had a dip in the ocean that
sharpened their appetites, and after
breakfast they started off with Sam
White 10 fish outside the bar over
spot known TO the fishermen OF that
ccast as the wreck" though there was
nothing on the surface to indicate that
ever wreck had taken place there.
The fishing was all that it had been
represented-indeed, the fish bit so fast
rs to change the sport into hard work
and rob it of much Of its pleasure. On
their return they caught q glimpse of
the two female figures beyond the inlet
and far up the beach. and Casper Burns
waved his hat to them and the two
white handkerchiefs were waved back
in reply.
The friends soon grew to like this
strange life, and they began to feel that
The eaAh had lots much less desirable
than that OF 4 fisherman-but so far
they had only played with the ocean in
its sleep.
They frequently saw the ladies up the
beach, and they made an effort to learn
who they were, but Sam White either
could not or would not crafty them.
Three days before the expiration of
their leave of absence Sam White pro-
posed to take them up the shore to
point from which they could get a good
-iew OF the New York yacht regatta,
which was to have race.
AIck Freeman, still declaring he
wanted to see nothing that might re-
mind him of the world he had left I'M
I'll he returned to it, decided to remain
back.
Alick Gid not long enjoy the part OF
hermit which he volunteered to play.
He strolled along the shore with his
fishing pole on his shoulder and cast
many an anxious glance in the direc-
ton where be had often seen the young
ladies, but they did not gladden. his
sight. No doubt they had gone off to
look at the regatta.
About three o'clock in the AFTERNOON
Alick Freeman put on his bathing dress
and went down to the beach. Hewas
good swimmer, though until this sum-
mer all his practice had been in tide
less, fresh-water lakes or streams.
He boldly plunged through the rim of
surf and swan out for hundred yards,
rising and falling on the swells that
rolled in and broke on the white Single.
"Ill lie on my back and let the waves
wash me in" Suiting the action to the
though, Alick threw himself on his
back-ne could float without moving
muscle-and, closing his eyes, he was
rocked by the swells, which he imagined
were bearing him nearer and nearer
to the shore.
rive, ten, HllSGn iillllulGS pdSoCN, Gi4N,
wondering why he was not thrown
among the breakers, as he expected,
Alick Freeman turned over on his face
and rubbed the water from his eyes,
Instead of being near the shoreAhe
was a half mile out, and the tide, on
which he had not counted, was bearing
him rapidly to the sea.
He took in the situation in an instant,
and, though realizing the danger, he did
not lose his presence of mind. His safety
depended on his GOODNESS.
He struck cut for the shore, half
throwing himself from the water by
his powerful strokes, but all in vain.
The tide still dragged. him out farther
and farther toward the foaming bar,
on whose white crest tossed the black
buoy.
he took off his wide-brimmed straw
bathing hat and waved it in the hope
that some one m o.l1f SEQ him then arly-