The Van Buren press., 1898-09-10
THE PEARL HE WON
By HELEN eEEsRss.


WONDER where On earth Belle
Riyes gets her beauty fFom!s
This was the remark so commonly
MADE that il had almost become a BY
word in the little hamlet beyond the
hills where she had developed into
sueh befTiliering loveliness. TIE sur
prise readily was accounted for. as on
q Sunday morning she was seen striv-
ing 10 walk slowly and demurely beside
the dark-browe6, weather-beaten cap
tain. whom she called father. No sign
of resemblance could be traced n the
delicate skin, deep gray eyes and small
mouth shaped ike Cnpid's bow, TO
either parent or graudparent. but The
result was so bewitching one soon lost
sight of their wonderment in admira-
ton. How often she stood gazing cut
on the dark blue sea and felt an in
finite longing 10 know something OF
that outside world which, Il seemed TO
her. that stretch Of water shut from
view.
~sea-gazing. as usual" said voice
behind her one morning. il the midst
Of her reTerie. "What are you think
ing Of now, BELIEF That tomorrow
ny ship viii be bounding over those
breakers. and that whole long year
must elapse before / again shall stand
bF your si6e?" And Bert Rogers
words somehow sounded hoarse as he
completed the last sentence, and she
turned with a blush ard smile 10 greet
him.
$50 soon? Do you sail tomorrow
I wish I were going with you, Bert;
anything. anywhere, TO go beyond this
narrow life. / am tiree-fired of 4.
al"
Poor child. 1t must grow weari-
some. indeed, but to me. Belle, Il Is a
haven of rest. I love the sea. II is
home 70 ne, and II. as you say. you
could 20 with me, | should not care
how constantly | lived upon it. Did
you mean that? Would you go with
me, go as my wife, Belle? I have long
wanted TO say this to you. and oh, this
year VIII seem SO short. so happy. II at
its end I may come 10 claim you"
The girls head had dropped lower
and lower until. his voice eeasing. II
handsome young face bent and looked
into the eyes. which hid themselves be-
meath their jetty lashes, where tear
drop trembled.
So Bert won her promise-a promise
which he made her put In fond, en-
dearing words. which he sealed lip IN
iip and heart to heart, which seemed
written on his soul, as the next day his
gallant ship unfurled her sails, and he
watched through misty eyes the land
gradually lost to sight.
1t all seemed more drear, more DESC
late than ever to the graceful figure on
the shore, as she saw fade away in the
distance the ship which bore from her
her sailor lover. She could reeolIect no
time when he could not have claimed
that name. From her babyhood she
remembered his devotion to her, but
now ii was SO different, and year
was so long TO wait she thought. until
she could once again look into his
happy. laughing eyes and hear his
voice say: II have come this time,
Belle, for my wife"
She was surprised to find herself at
the cottage door. For a moment she
hesltated lest her red eyes should give
suspicion of the truth, then she gath
cred courage and in another moment
stood within the room, but started
back. amazed at the scene before her.
by the freside sat her mother, her
head bowed, her frame convulsed by
sobs. and standing near her father,
with face pale and drawn by suffering.
Opposite a man of tall, soldierly bear
ing and commanding presence was
talking eagerly, but as she entered his
voice died away, and a look of rapture
crept into his eyes as they turned upon
her.
"Tell her. cannot" she heard her
father say.
Then :he stranger, speaking low and
rapidly, broke the mo;nentary silence.
"Years ago the ship commanded by
Capt. Riyes was wrecked al sea, and
the lives of almost all on board were
lost. Among the passengers were
lady and gentleman with their little
child of IS months. In the confusion
they became separated. Both were
supposed loel. L ne lllllc Cu4lh was Ate-
eued by the gallant captain. who
risked his own life in the attempt.
Then, having no children of his own,
he took the little desolate orphan to
bis heart and home, and when, some
few years later. he gave up his sea-
faring life, the people in the place
where he settled supposed her his own.
Her own father, who was picked up
cut at sea on an outgoing vessel, was
saved. but supposed both wife and
child had perished until, after years Of
search, Providence guided his steps I o
this spot. where he had learned the
captain lived, and from whose lips he
thought he might hear something
more definite II their fate. He found
that which exceeded his widest
prayers. Belle. my child, do you not
know me2 l am your father!"
A moments hesitation and the girl
was sobbing on his breast, while his
arms closely ciasped his new-found
treasure. Then she raised her head
and threw herself on the poor wom-
ans bosom. TO whom for SO many years
she had given the sacred name OF
mother, aud who now saw torn from
her the child she had learned 10 love
ns her own. But the claim OF justice