The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-17
Bv a Bracelet.

was bowed deSpondently.
I'm sorry I spoke as I did just now
Kitty" he said, with a plaintive gestur
of Cancellation. You're only jokin. ain
you? I guess I amt half good enough
for you. but you Amt goin' TO throw M
overheard, are you? The pictur' wa!
grand, and no mistake, an you looked jus
like yourself. 1t amt the pictur; its
It's
He broke off short and glanced at tn,
little circle of gold that spanned IN;
girls white wrist.
You've good cause for it. Jem," shs
said. Perhaps you didn't mean all YOU
said. an I hope you didn't, lad for 'twa:
no way to speak O. your betters. Did
ever promise TO marry you or any one
/ else? Can't take a present from any
one without bein' spoke TO as if I'd COM
nlitted murder or robbery or summat
worse? WeH9'
II guess you can do what you like,
Kitty" he said, sadly. AN nobody-least
OF all me-has no right 10 say a word"
That's good. Maybe for the futur'
you'u know your place. Goodnight"
He watched the little figure in pink
hurrying over the sands till 1t dwindled
and disappeared among the shadows of
the gabled street. and then drew out a
boat TO row across the bay. BY and By
there was a shout, and he glanced over
hts shoulder and alphabetically backed the
oars.
Cant you look where you're going. you
dolt? Do you want to run me down?"
II guess I'll set you swlmmin' il you're
not civil" he said, squaring his Shout
ders. / guess II you an me quarrel you'll
/ be the sorriest; SO stand clear! Good
night!
The young man in the tweed suit stood
up. needless Of the heavy pollock tugging
! at his line, and started after the retreat
ing boat
The impudent houndr' he biurted out
! Then, as he cleverly played the fish and
/ drew it in till it lay gasping under the
thwart, he laughed softly. Another Of
/ the girls admirers, l suppose" he said.
| In the morning Jem and Ted Trewlowe
came down the village street together.
Jem carried a coil of rope and a pointed
iron bar-the stock in trade of his haz-
ardous profession. that of egg hunter.
The boat was headed for the gray white
column across the bay, the Witches Pill
lar. They scrambled up the rift in the
cliff and reached the breezy uplands,
The iron bar was driven deep into the
soil, and five minutes later the figure of
a man swung high over the sea, terrify-
ing the birds and looming black against
the lighter background of the cliff.
Little Trewlowe sat steadying the sway
ing rope, his heels firmly wedgsd in the
holes he had cut to keep them from Slip
ping and his black Guilty gripped tight
between his clinched teeth. There was
a frightened look in his eyes, for Jem had
seemed so queer and so little like hirn-
self.
Suddenly the rope slackened and then
xyft hot
started the bar full inch and scared his
hands. Then it swayed Imply against
the cliff edge. and a faint cry from be-
low sent his heart into his throat
With trembling fingers he knotted the
rope firmly to the bar, and, throwing off
his coat, swung himself over the brink.
Long after the light in the west had
melted into a hazy gray Kitty sat and
unused in the cottage porch.
Il think I'll just run down and see Mrs
Trewlowe, dad" she said shakily, look
ing through the open door.
A painting woman, with 4 dingy shawl
thrown over her head. met her half way
down. Something indistinct intangible
and underlined, seemed to tell each what
she wished, yet dreaded to learn, fer no
words were spoken, no questions asked.
Their hands met in unspoken sympathy,
and hand in hand they descended the
hill.
When they stood below the creaking
sign of the Merry Mariners the woman
hung back and looked al her piteously.
III go in said Kitty.
There was a sudden hush as the white
faced girl tottered in and gave a hurried
glance around.
Isis he here?" she gaspe1 IL
mean
An old bag seated in the far corner of
the room barred her toothless gums and
uttered a cracked laugh.
mo, he amt. dearie. I seed him goin' |
conger fishin' in his swell clothes. P'rhaps, !
if I axed him prettily he'd put me in
pictur', too! Eth. dearie? He, he!''
Il mean Jem-Jem Holt-my Jem," she |
painted, catching her breath. Ted Trew-
lowe an him went nestin' on the pillar |
this morning. Ted amt back, an my i
Jem amt back, an"
She broke down, covering her face with |
her hands. The men laid aside their pipes /
and went out softly. whispering 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.
"Helloi"
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 something
into the air-something that glistened with
4 yellowish tinkle at the artists feet.
A hoarse cheer swelled up through the
night and set their hearts singing. Kit
tvs 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 her
self and followed.
There was a chattering crowd OF men
and women outside the Merry Mariners,
but they fell aside TO let her pass, and
they thronged the doorway curiousiy. The
room inside was packed and little Trew-
lowe. pale and shaky. was jerkinglY mar
rating the adventure between the sips OF
his brandy and water. But kitty saw
no one but Jem.
He sat in the middle OF the room. the
asheu hue Of his face showing clearly
through the CRIME, his hands bruised and
bleeding and his clothes torn - shreGs.
They had cut away the left sleeve OF
his coat and the brawny village doctor
was setting the splintered bone OF his
arm.
In a moment she was kneeliRs beside
him, needless of them all. with her arms
clasped round his neck and her cheek
pressed to his.