The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-10-13
BERENICE'S HAIR.
ny CHARLES L. nrLDRErm.


Full twenty miles from headland to
headland Ramortin bay curves in
silver-green crescent, spotted with
rocky islets, uninhabited except by the
gulls and gunnets which wheel and
flutter all day long about and above
their barren, seagirt villages. There
is neither town nor hamlet nor so
much even as fisherman's hut upon
the whole extent of the shores. For
the bay is too shallow and too thickly
beset with shoals and ledges to render
safe the visit of the smallest trawler
or smack. As you stand upon the hill
overlooking the narrow, ill-kept road
which leads from st. Giles to Windsor,
along the shores of the bay, you may
watch the white-winged sloops and
schooners going free or tacking against
head wind, but you will never see
one of them making a reach into Ra-
mortin bay.
1t is indeed an ill-omened place, and
more than one mackereler, loaded to
the matches, has grounded upon these
evil shoals, and gone to pieces in the
next northeast gale.
But what was chiefly given Ramotin
bay its ugly reputation is u space of
beach covered only at extreme high
tide and bare at all other times, known
as the Shutdown Sands. 1t is wide
grayish-hued surface, running outward
some forty yards to the fringe of
tumbling turf, which, during most
seasons of the year, approaches no
nearer the road, mere wagon track
skirting the shore at this point upon
an ancient stone wall. A perilous spot
it is, too, for the highway. abuts
sharply upon the sands, without rail
ing or parapet, scarce five feet above
the grim expanse, which quakes and
trembles from moment to moment,
with mysterious hissings and groan-
ings, which seem to proceed from un-
seen Governs below. There are grew
some stories of foot passengers who
have fallen off the wall and been swal-
lowed up, their piteous cries mingled
with the eerie shrieks of the night
heron, or the far-heard, melancholy
whoopings of the owl among the
branches of the blasted cypress upon
the adjacent hillside. 1t is said, too,
that an honest farmer, driving home
ward from st. Giles market by this
road, lost his way in the darkness, and
was never more heard of-neither
man nor horse nor vehicle.
Standing upon the ancient wall you
might throw upon the smooth surface
of the Sundown Sands a pebble,
button, twig, and as you gazed it
would sink from sight in O moment,
leaving all as blank and secret as be-
fore.
A sad and desolate spot it is, even
upon the brightest midsummer noon
day. The storm-writhen cypress on
the hillside is the only thing resembl-
ing tree or shrub in sight. Sparse
mottlings of whithered grass find
wretched sustenance among the rocks.
Dank clumps of blubber weed and
clots of sprawlipg algae cling upon
the surf-worn rocks beyond the rim of
the Sundown Sands. Naught else has
nature-all beautifier as she is-been
able to work upon this mournful
place.
Half mile over the hill there is an
ancient many gabled dwelling, sur
rounded by evergreens, facing upon
the main road. From the upper win
dows glimpse of the Sundown Sands
and the old road skirting them may be
! obtained
The young girl that stood at one of
these windows, marine glass in hand,
scanned the section of the road, visible
from her position, with pale face and
breathless anxiety. She was tall snd
slender of figure, with something COM
manding in the attitude she had un-
consciously assumed, which matched
the firm yet gentle aspect of her
beautiful features. What first struck
the observer was her magnificent hair.
Red brown, shot with glints of gold,
like the hair Titan was so fond of
painting, but with glory and brill
liancy never represented by pigment
on canvas, it was gathered in a superb
knot at the back of her shapely head.
During the brief winter visits to the
metropolis Berenice TolIand's hair had
become famous in the small circles
she frequented. And indeed it was
glorious, wonderful hair, worthy of q
goddess Of the Arcadian days.
Suddenly she dropped the glass with
Q cry OF dismay.
''rhey are quarrelling" she ejacu-
lated, in a sniothered voice. II must
part them, or something terrible may
happen.
Al she turned hastily about, the
fastenings Of her hair gave way and
ths slitterins coil unrollsd AID fell.