The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-18
I, DELAWARE, THURSDAY, AUGUST Is. 1893

/ eNAAASSN w "AS" SA0s SAV VwAVA Vi III
queer dwelling. buried among the
dssolats hills, had wealth and to spar
and that his had been rowing, sailor
life.
The wind was blowing In ftful gus
and the storm clouds were drifting U
fast.
| We stood looking down at the brigh
ly lit, solitary cottage.
! II warned you 1t would rain lih
f1ts," l said as the roar of the dista1
surf increased and a sudden blacknes
spread over the island.
! "Oh, look there!" exclaimed Ally
suddenly catching hold Of my arm an
pressing close up to me.
Slowly and limpingly a queer an
| hideous creature creeped out on tn
small front porch. Whether human o
animal, 1t were hard to say. A small
wan face peered out from tangle o
long black hair, a face sad and pitifu
peering out into the darkness, sur
mounting body so hideously de
formed that Alys restrained with diff
iculty the shrek which rose to hel
lips.
A thunderous peal and vivid crash Of
lightning almost blinded us and ter.
rible sweep Of wind hustled over US
while the thunderous~ crash of the
breakers on Drunken Dick, and the
surf on the distant beach filled the
whole atmosphere with one continuous
reverberating sound.
No wonder we failed to hear or see
the approach of a tall, powerful man,
who, dashing up hurriedly along the
path we had come. stopped suddenly,
confronting US as we stood. gazing al
ternately at the coming hurricane and
the cottage just below where we stood.
With suppressed oath the man
paused. An inarticulate call, or cry Of
Joy, came from the little creature
crouched on the porch, which, while
rendering me dumb with dismay and
perplexity, had serious effect on Alys.
Stepping forward quickly she gently
placed her hand on the arm of the man
who stood before US gaunt, menacing
and with an anguished look on his
furrowed and careworn face, and said
In simple, earnest tones:
'You must excuse US. We did not
mean to intrude. but running from
the storm we thought we would take
shelter In the sand hills. l hope we
have not frightened the little child.
1t has such sweet litt.s face. Please
tell it we would not frigten it for the
world"
I was struck dumb with amaze
ment.
A second peal of thunder shook the
heavens, and wall rose from the
poor creature on the porch.
Turning from us, he sprang down to
the cottage, and, gathering up in his ,
arms the little creature on the porch,
with an infinite tenderness, went in
doors and closed the door behind him.
Down came the rain in torrents.
Alys chung to me-
II think warned you 1t was going
to rain," remarked, as the thunder
roared and the wind dashed the myrtle
bushes.
The roar Of the water grew deafen-
Ing, and Alys was trembling with cold
and agitation.
Come indoors until the rain stops"
said the man, suddenly coming out to
us and taking Alys by the arm.
or course, we followed him. Indeed
when inside, with the doors and win
lows closed, our establishment was as
treat as our embarrassment at an in.
rusion we felt to be objectionable.
There were gems of art scattered on
ii sides, some of which could have
dorned any mansion.
You will take glass Of wine," said
UT extraordinary host, looking with
rateful persistence at Alys' fair face,
ringing out wonderful vintage and !.
curing it in cups Of embossed silver.
The wind shook the cottage. and the
hunder rumbled off, more family in l
ne east. The rain fell and the beat I
the surf was distinctly audible.
A moaning cry came from the ad-
lining room.
I'VE will not stay longer" said Alys. ,
It is only summer shower. l hope :,
he little child will get strong and we'll. =
am sure it is happy" ~
Che hold ont how booJ ooJ 49, 10 =
ok it a tear trickled slowly down his -
lgged, weather. beaten face. ~
He stood bareheaded in the doorway u,
We passed through. =,
God bless you," he said as Alys " ",
Used out. y
well, you have had your adven- VI
re- l said, as l hurried Alys along
e struggling path back to the sea- d
ore, the rain still falling heavily, "
though the wind had subsidized. "
"Oh, poor, poor, miserable little ~
ing" said Alys. VI
The thunder OF the surf beating on u
e shore filled the air, and the break ..
5 on Drunken Dick we're fighting and u
aping in a wild mad dance of de- III
hit. ol
Bundle In quickly" I said, as we VI
ached the trap Harvey had waiting u.
us. VI
How glad am" sighed Alys, as she sn
nix back on the cushions. Vi
The tide had risen, but there was
II margin enough on the beach to ou
We back rapidly to the hotel. M
The bays spun along, and in three az
arters Of an hour we were under an
liter. "s
The Marine Band was playing one of
lsa's quicksteps. .
Run up and get out of those wet o,,
ngs. III send you up an iced OIL,
try bitters. Dress quickly, and soo
III give me the first dance, after .oS
ner. Don't look so blue, little one,"
aid, as kissed her cold little ~,
Ids. "You had your fantastic de- Nv Nv
!. You have seen the sand hills and :.
good drenching. What more do
WANT" y
don't know" said Alys, with a mi
hit SILVER and faint laugh, while ron
i'll held her hands. r
Well know what l want" said Thu
I decision. Hurry and come down,