The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-11-12

L
shawl thrown over her head, met her
half way down. Some instinct intangi
BILE and underlined, seemed to tell each
what she wished, yet dreaded to learn;
for no words were spoken, no questions
asked. Their hands met in unspoken
sympathy, and hand in hand they de-
scended the hill.
| They paused on the bluff, straining
their eyes in hopes of seeing dark
speck crawl out under the shadow of
| the cliffs. A boat was moving outward
toward the deeps where the conger lay,
and the girls heart grew bitter against
| it's occupant, and the tiny band of gold
upon her wrist seemed to scorch her
flesh.
When they stood below the creaking
sign Of the Merry Mariners the woman
hung back, and looked at her piteously.
'1u go in," said Kitty, touching the
| woman on the arm.
There was a sudden hush as the
white-faced girl tottered in and gave
hurried glance around.
'Ts-is he hereT she gasped. IL
mean" -ss...se-
| All Olu nag, Scdleu III tuC Adi SOihSi
of the room, barred her toothless gums
and uttered a cracked laugh.
mo, he hain't, dearie. seed him
goin' congerfishin' in his swell clothes.
P'raps, If l axed him prettily, he'd put
me In a pictur', too! Eh, dearie? He!
hep &%
81 mean Jem-Jem Holt-my Jem,"
as she painted, catching her breath.
"Ted Trewlowe an him went nestin'
on the Pillar this mornin'. Ted amt
back, an my Jem amt back, an-Jem
and Ted Trewlowe-my Jem-is-is-"
She broke down, covering her face
with her hands. The men laid aside
their pipes and went out softly, whis-
pering among themselves.
The sad-eyed woman was waiting for
her, and together they fastened to the
beach and launched old Andrews boat
The others were far across the bay al
ready.
The oars splashed sluggishly, and the
boat sped on through the creeping dusk.
At last the girl peered over her shoulder
and stood up, covering her mouth With
her hands.
"HalloY
An answering cry in a mans deep
tones echoed across the water, and she
bent to the oars once more. Then she
drew back her arm and tossed some
thing into the air-something that glis-
tened with a yellowish tinkle at the
artists feet.
1t was a narrow chain Of gold, en-
bellished with heart-shaped pendant
his gift returned.
The nose of the boat veered round
and they headed up the bay. The wom-
an still rocked herself, sobbing softly,
but Kitty's cheeks were dry, though
her breath came and went In uncertain
gasps.
hoarse cheer swelled up through
the night and set their hearts singing.
Kitty's head went down on her hands,
and tears came at last, as the heavy
burden of agonized suspense fell from
her. One by one the boys toiled across
the light, and were soaked up by the
darkness under the Farcombe shore.
Kitty reused herself and followed.
There was a chattering crowd of men
and women outside the Merry Marin
ers, but they fell aside to let her pass,
and they thronged the doorway curl
ously. The room inside was packed.
and little Trewlowe, very pale and
shaky, was jerkingly narrating the ad-
venture between the sips of his brandy
and water. But Kitty saw no one but
Jem.
He sat in the middle of the room, the
ashen hue of his face, showing clearly
through the CRIME, his hands bruised
and bleeding, and his clothes torn to
shreds. They had cut away the left
sleeve of his coat. and the brawny vii
lage doctor was setting the splintered
bone of his arm.
In a moment she was kneeling beside
him, needless of them all, with her
arms clasped round his neck and her
cheek pressed to his.
80, Jemr' she whispered. "Jem!
Jemr'
By and by they went down the road
together in the darkness, Jem's unin-
jured arm circling the girls waist, and
her head resting on his shoulder.
"It was mighty lonesome up there
J lassie," he said softly. "an' was think
, in of you mostly. Little Ted couldn't
. get back, an couldn't get to me Meth.
er; so 1 guess l had plenty o. time to
/ think I'll work hard for you, darlin'
} but l guess shan't be able to buy you
no-no-"
She drew down his big hand and
( pressed it against her slim wrist.
: Hush, Jemw she said. ITS gone
I've given it back to him."
|