The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-09-24

ne lay Wnere he had thrown himself
and when at last. reused by the SUMS
beams. he rose. his face bore sad traces
Df the nights conflict
1t was somewhat a surprise TO the
stolid villagers when Ernest Hammond.
who had come amongst them for
months fishing, lei one month glide
Into two. and third begin its course,
and still say naught of leaving them. 1t
made the good wives question his stay
no less pleasantly. that he excited none
of his destinations among their own
Hook, that their dark-haired daughters
were not exposed to the fire of his hand
some eyes, or led them to shake their
heads less ominously when day by day
he found his way 10 Seth Green's cot
tage, or night after night found him site
hing in Seth Green's doorway. He al
ways had a friendly word friendly
pipe for the gray-haired fisherman, lis
tened TO his long yarns with keen in
terest, while ever and anon new gown
or handsome shawl would find its way
to Mother Eunice's stores. So the
worthy couple came to greet the hand
bome face with honest welcome, listen
TO his voice with genuine liking, yet
failed to see the bushes play at hide
hnd-seek on the girls fair cheek, or
watch the stolen glances which passed
from the mans eyes to hers.
A new page in life's history seemed
opening before her wondering gaze.
BATTERIES delicately yelled, thoughts
subtly spoken, led her daily into re-
gions strange and unknown. That
night, upon the beach, when she had
watched with plying gaze strong man
wrestle with his agony, seemed passing
from her memory. while new, deli
cious feeling filled all her heart and life.
Yet strange pang shoots through her
as now and then she sees Allan Fame
ccme and go. She misses his kindly
smile, his welcoming words. until she
forgets both in the gladness which fills
her heart at Ernest Hammond's COM
Ing.
THE summer has been passing
sweet" he says TO her one day, "but I
must have done with idleness and go
back to my working life. viii you miss
me, Mignon?"
Twill 1 miss you? can scarce tell till
I know what absence means"
"Ah, l need no absence to assure me of
the void my soul will know. You have
given the summer all its brightness,
Ellie. When l first saw your face, fair
beauty, wondered what strange wind
could have blown you to this rough
shore, but learned to bless that favor
ing breeze, as having waited 10 my side
the fairest thing on which my eyes had
ever rested. Some day, Ellie. you shall
leave this place and make your home
with me. My wife will take good care
of you"
"Your wife? You are married, then ?"
broke from the girls white lips, while
as in vision came memories of his
looks, his acts, his words-all, all
breathing love, and that love for her.
mo, not married exactly" came the
reply, as though he were speaking afar
off, although so soon to be that l can
play truant no longer. l shall often
think of you. Ellie, often picture your
fair beauty, and l fear, married or
otherwise, shall envy with mad envy
the man who culls you for his own"
"Then envy 1 not the woman whom
you call wife. Go back to your gay
world and the girl who awaits your
coming; greet both with fair words;
press her young lips to yours, but re-
member one woman lives who would
Nv xrrht
pered caresses, her lips sullied by the
touch of yours. thank you that you
have robbed your going of all its sting"
Elsie, Elsie!" exclaimed the man,
who had listened, with a great amaze
ment growing in his eyes. Listen ere
you so reproach me. loved you ere l
knew it. l meant not to drift into dis
honor nor yet to tell you of my love,
since the telling made it such. Listen,
Elsie. Return that which has burst all
bounds to-day. Let me see you smile
upon me as of old and will break every
bond that holds me, so that only can
hold you to my heart and call you
mine."
think you that 1 would accept your
love at such price, above and beyond
all tainted with dishonor? | am but n
simple girl, Ernest Hammond, but the
way of truth and honesty is at least
open to me. You have proved to me
how false a thing may be, let the out
side be fair as it may, doubt not shall
be the better for the lesson"
The summer waned, the harvest fruits
were gathered. The winter came with
its garb of purity, but Ellie seemed to
take no heed of time. The old people
listened vainly for the ripple of song
they loved so well to hear, and wondered
what had come over the child. But
there was an hour close at hand when
all idle surmises were swallowed up in
one common throb of anxious fear.
Two fishing boats had gone out from
their midst. Allan Fame commanding
them, but only one had come back in
safety. A terrific storm had overtaken
them, and those who escaped gave little
hopes of the others rescue. Ellie lis
tened to the story with wide, staring
eyes, then turned away with a great
/ sob and stole down to the beach. Day
after day found her straining her eyes
| seward, until at last the words which
! tortured her broke bounds.