The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-05-18

Inelr nands met IN unspoken sympathy,
and hand in hand they descended the
hill.
They paused on the bluff, straining
their eyes in the hopes Of seeing DARK
speck crawl out under the shadow Of the
cliffs. a boat was moving outward to-
ward the deeps where the conger lay,
and the girls heart grew bitter against
its 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.
ssI'i1 go in" said Kitty, touching the
woman on the arm.
There was sudden hush as the white
faced girl tottered in and gave hurried
glance around.
sIs-is he here?'' she gasped. ell
mean
An old bag, seated in the far corner
of the room, barred her toothless gums
and uttered q cracked laugh.
'sNo, he hain't, dearie. seed him
goin conger fshin in his swell clothes.
P'raps, if axed him pret5ily, he'd put
me in pictur' tco! Eh, dearie? He,
he!''
.sI mean Jem-Jem Holt-my Jem, y
she painted, catching her breath. "Ted
Trewlowe an him went nestin on the
pillar this morning. Ted amt back,
an my Jem amt back, an-Jem and
Ted Trewlowe-my Jem-is-is''-
She breke down, covering her face
with her hands. The men laid aside
their pipes and went out softly, wh;s-
pering amoag themselves.
The sad eyed woman was waiting for
her, and together they hastened 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.
s:Helloi''
An answering Cry IN mans deep
tones echoed across the water, and sac
bent to the oars once more. Then she
drew back her arm and tossed some
thing into the something that glis-
tened with a yellowish tinkle at the
artists feet.
It was 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
a coarse cheer swelled up through tas
night and set their hearts singing. Kit
ty's head went down on her hands, and
tears came at last, as the heavy burden
of agorized suspense fell from he-. Cae
by one the boys toiled across the light
and we're soaked up by the caraness un-
der tie Farcombe shore. Kitty .ocssd
herself and followed.
There was chatte-ing crowd Of men
ard women outside the Merry Mariners,
but they fell aside to let her pass, and
they thronged the doorway crriocsly.
The room inside was packed, and little
Trewlowe, very pale and shaky, was
Njerkingly narrating the adventure be-
tween the sips Of his brandy and water.
But Kitty saw no one but Jem.
He sat in the middle of the roon1, the
ashen hue of his face showing clearly
through the CRIME, his hands bruised
and bleeding and his clothes torn ta
shreds. They had cut away the left
sleeve of his coat, and the brawny vii
lage doctor was setting the splintereJ
bone of his arm.
In moment she was kneeling beside
him, needless of them all, with her
arms clasped round his neck and her
cheek pressed to his.
"Oh, Jemp' she whispered. "Jem.
Iepii''
f;y and By they went down the road
together in the darkness, Jem's unin-
jursd arm circling the girls waist and
her head resting on his shoulder.
st was mighty lonesome up there,
lassie, ''he said softly, "an was think
in of you mostly. Little Ted couldn't
get back an couldn't get to me neither,
SO guess Ihad plenty O. tine to think.
I'll work hard for You, darlin, bat ]
guess shan'5 be able to buy ycu no
no.
She drew down his big hand ana
pressed it against her slim wrist.
.sHusb, JemP' she said. s'It's gone
I've given it back to him. planets
and People.