The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-10-14


 you're on the love rock Then she looks up as meek as lamb, and she says, Yes and falls a-cryin' as if her heart was broke, for Betsy, she always did admire that young scamp Pete, but she knew as well as me that shed got to marry me, because I'd asked on the rock We was so took up with what had happened that we was all but caught by the tide, but we got off in time. The rocks niver quite covered. but 'tWould be an ugly place to pass a night, and next to impossible to be got off; there's nasty breakers in the best weather, and some sharp bits of rock around, so as no boat can get near"
 Ted had fixed his eyes on the love rock. He was not listening to the gar rulous old man, and he certainly did not believe the superstition about it, but all the same he felt inclined to compass the difficulties in the way and get Millie Lloyd there-it would be as good a place as any he knew for telling the secret which had been his torment for months, and which he now felt was impossible to keep to himself, even if the telling of it meant the ruin of his hopes. He could not endure to see her chatting by the hour with old Fielding, who evidently admired her, and was quite equal to asking her to marry him, old villain that he was! And Millie- who could guess what she could do? She was innocent enough to throw away her beautiful young life upon that hardened old sinner out of a pity that WnJl16 ir1ly nd she knew nothing whatever about men and their ways. It was high time for Ted to interfere, if he did not want to lose his last chance.
 You try for yourself, sir,'' said the fisherman, breaking in upon Teds thoughts and winking to himself again.
 T shall do nothing of the kind," said Ted, hotly. Pm not a fool"
 "More's the pity, more's the pity" muttered the old man, with grin that he took care to conceal.
 Its time to be going back" said Ted, pulling his watch out. Good morning. I've an idea that this would be rather a nice spot for a picnic, not half bad"
 Old Jack Grice bent nearly double
 
 disappeared around the cliffs, and then he went home to tell Betsy the joke, and gain her opinions on the gentle folk. She was shrewd old woman and gave it as her opinion that Ted was in love. Jack slapped his knee in delight, and had another laugh at Teds s expense.
 Meantime, Ted hurried back to the hotel in sort of panic; he felt uneasy suddenly, because he had been absent for several hours and Fielding might be taking the opportunity! Perhaps even at this minute it might be too late, and she be giving herself away. If she did that she would be true till death to the old scoundrel, and Ted-Ted would be the most unhappy of all men! He would never besable to outlive such blow!
 Perhaps I ought to have asked her before," groaned Ted; but I've never been able to think that she cares a rap for me. I'm not worth a thought of hers.'
 Thus thinking, he drew near to the hotel. A set of tennis was being play ed on the asphalt court; Millie was not there. He went and leaned on the fence that daIarded the cliff, and gave a sweeping glance from right to left, talk ing in the long walk on the top of the cliff and the shore below, both visible from this point. Neither Millie nor Fielding was in view. Then he went round the hotel to the pleasure grounds and they were not there. So he went in and looked for them in all the public sitting rooms. There was not a sign of either. Until the gong summoned all the visitors down to table d'hote he was unable to find her; and when he heard casually that she had been out for a drive with her mother and had since been resting in her room, his heart gave bound of joy, and the ill-temper that had been very visible on his face gave way to his usual sunny smile, and he was the life of the young people at his end of the table.
 It was Ted who proposed a picnic and Ted who suggested the best spot for one.
 That's close to the love rock, isn't it?" asked some one.
 "The love rock?" said Ted, with the utmost innocence. What's that?'
 Why, haven't you heard of the love rock?" cried the lady. Its one of the many superstitions of the ignorant fish er-folk that whoever proposes on that rock will get the answer he wants"
 There was general laugh in which Ted joined, and immediately the love rock was chosen as their destination. With the impatience of young folk the picnic was fixed for the next day, weather permitting or not. A storm had been predicted, but little did they care, and the sager objections of the elders were talked down with many ar guments as unanswerab1e as they were illogical.
 Its not at all the weather for pie nics," growled MT. Fielding, following the group of enthusiasts, and looking sourly on Ted and Millie, who happen ed to be talking together.
 we don't mind the weather" said Millie. Her face was radiant, and she entered into the plans with all her heart. Just lately she had been feeling dull and depressed, but that sensation had vanished and she was able to turn with a brilliant smile to answer Mir Fielding.
 Ted saw her smile and stepped back aghast.
 T should much prefer a quiet day on the shore" said MT. Fielding in a lower tone.