The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-22

very decorations of the chamber had
strongly marine aspect, from the
highly colored print of naval battle
to the shell that answered for q soap
cup.
The young men were hungry and
dusty and in no good humor; so that
while washing and changing their
travelling dress for natty sailor cos
tunes, they did not exchange many
words, though Alick ventured to say:
"rm sure, old fellow, we'll like IL
hugely after we get used to it,"
"People like whisky and opium
after they get used to them, but is it
worth while acquiring the habit?"
said Casper Burns, with n shade of
sarcasm in his voice.
Alick was about to respond Mt q
venture, but at that moment Mrs.
White, without the formality of knock
ing, put in her head to say that din
ner was ready, and to add that in her
opinion they Twas purity nigh
starved"
There was a roast duck, two or
three kinds of fish, potatoes like snow
balls, hot biscuit and yellow butter,
aud pot of steamed coffee, all served
on clean crash table-cloth.
Sam White asked long, old
fashioned blessing, to the great amaze
ment of the young men, who expected
to find him n profane old sea dog, and
then he said:
"You must make long arm, boys,
and help yourselves"
"Well, said Casper, as they strolled
down to the beach after dinner, 81
must confess ! haven't enjoyed meal
80 much for years. l was hungry and
il went to the right spot"
"Oh, this is just the place for an
appetite. You can find one here sooner
than in any other part of the country, :"
said Alick, handing Casper n cigar, and
feeling that there was something TO
redeem the place in the eyes of his
friend.
As they stood on the shore the sun
was setting, aud the blue expanse took
on crimson tinge. They sat down
on the white sand, and they could see
away up the shore and across the inlet
two igures--females. One of them
had white scarf about her head and
the other scarlet one, but beyond
this the young men could not make
them out
"Ah! it is comfort to know we are
not Nholly shut ont from the world, 3"
said Casper, blowing Will of smoke
in the direction Of the figures.
81 am willing to worship at dis
! sA1 li.I nd ha
inlet separates us. but I've no doubt
they are the wives or daughters of
some of the fishermen 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 Benner place for the summer. It's
more lonelier over there than it is
here, but when ole Cap'n Benner he
was alvin, there was no end of com
pany over there, but that's years and
years ago"
II suppose there's no danger of any
of the strangers coming over hereY'
asked Alick Freeman, with the slight
hope that the old fisherman would say
there was great deal of danger.
"Not the least bit" replied Sam
White, "but as there's two young
ladies over there and two young men
over here, why, the chances is that
somehow they'll get together afore
long"
"That's human nature" said Mrs.
White, looking up from the potatoes
she was peeling; 'the boys'll seek out
the gals Just as ducks goes barefooted
to the water"
Alick limited that he was an excep-
ton, and that while he did not posi-
, lively hate the other sex, their pres
ence was essential to his misery, and
much more to the same effect, all of
which Mrs. White heard with twinkle
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
and the balmy odor that brings sleep.
When they awoke the sun was fash
ing on the sea and transforming into a
snow bank the bar about two miles
out, where great, black buoy rose
and fell on the waves.
They had dip in the ocean that
shsrpened their appetites, and after
breakfast they started of with Sam
White to fish outside the bar over a
spot known to the FISHERMEN of that
coast 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 as to change the sport into hard
work and rob it of much of its pleas
ure. On their return they caught a
glimpse of the two female figures be-
yond the inlet and far up the beach,