Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1899-08-10

. " , - *%ti't 49, anu Wrecks.
3ponSes and salt and wrecksa" T
asked myself. "What mauner Of man
may john be-"
les, continued my hostess, cts
very lonely on Watlings. You see
there arc only 675 people on the whole
island, and OF these only about 300
are white. while I don't suppose there
are forty | know. We're 1SD miles
from Nassau. and although I'm TEASING
''oilh to bring me over there, he won't
come but three times year, unless
! there's wreck
wreck?' | asked.
es, she went on noncl alantlv
I'VE don't have much luck nova
days
We haven't had good wreck since
the big Spanish steamer went down
on Eleuthera three years ago
The situation dawned Nv fair
friend was the wife, daughter or sister
o. Bahama wrecker-perhaps pirate.
What's the matter? You seem
disturbed -
murmured in rambling way
something about wrecking being a
pleasant occupation.
''Oh, [ see,' and size laughed, and
wonderfully musical laugh it was,
too. ''1ou are shocked at Johns be-
ing a wrecler. John doesn't really
WRECK ships. He merely helps to
strip them when they are wrecked"
felt relieved, but dire memories of
cnlluhotu talo, or false lights anf
] l
mind
Aud who is ,;ohu?" / asked
:th. John IS the dearest, sweetest.
noblest fellov living-that's John
I'm sure you'd like him
| tried again
Were You born on W'at!ings?"
ooh, dear, no. | was wrecked
there. Wasn't il romantic to be
wrecked on the island Columh:s 1ir3t
landed on
! mildly remarked that / had been
taught Columbus first landed Oh San
Salvador or Cat Island.
"Oh, my, no You're quite wrong.
Is been proved he first came ashore
at WatIings Why. | often, on fine
mornings, get John to drive me over
to the southeastern point OF the island
where it is thought he came ashore.
There's the loveliest white beach
there. and the broad blue ocean
stretches out and away before you as
Won look eastward make John so
away. for John isn't romantic, You
know, and then | sit down and close
my eyes and see the queer old
fashioned ships with their worn sails,
their high stern and the royal ban
ners waving, tossing at anchor be-
youl the reef, [ see the line of boats
with flashing oars advancing; | see
the dusky Indian forms standing at
the edge Of the wood, and just above
where the surf breaks on the beach [
see the old mariner kneel under the
banner OF Spain. his sword up!ifted
and his eyes raised to heaven.
''Oh. its glorious picture. and
never tire Of calling it foyss. Life on
Watlings, you see. has It's compensa-
tious.
As the woman told this story, she
unconsciouslv acted 1t out. rose from
her chair. aud with flaming eyes aud
cheeks. anew and fair Columbus led a
! fauciei band I had grown deeply
| interested and | determined To know
! uer history.
Tell me about yourself. l said.
''and how it comes that you, with
your evident education aud accc N :
i plishments, choose 10 live on place
, 40 remote and lonely as Watllngs
| Island.
She b.ushed little. was silent q
moment. and then Ia low voice
sad:
We'll. I don't mind telling YOU.
It's not long story. see I've gwen
Won wrong Impression. for. indeed,
although it Is lonely q. times. I'm
really very happy and | wouldn t
change places with any woman. l am
an English woman. and was born
near Loudon Ny father was civil
engineer in good circumstances, and
with twin sister had every possible
advantage OF education. Ny mother
lied when I was about fifteen. and as
*. had 40 near relatives We were much
! with onf father. We were near
enough 10 London 70 run IL OF an
av.ni,r to the theatres and the opera.
we had pleasant society OF our own
we read mcch. sang ana played Sood
deal. aud rode continually
Ten wears ago last autumn ny
father met with a sudden business re-
versa II. WAS offered , remuneratlve