Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-04-05
LIFE FOR LIFE.

LIFE FOR LIFE.
A N afternoon Of mid-September,
~ bright as a dream, warm rs
4 \ reality, glowed over the north
Irish coast. Young Constantine was
watching a game between three wild
and beautiful beings. The three were
i4-year-old Ruby Merritt, her new pony,
and the Atlantic. Miss Merritts Lon
don groom, ON a powerful bay mare,
from the edge of the wet sand surveyed
the horizon line with a bored and rigid
eye.
The scene changed. Ruby and the
pony made a madcap dash far forward,
and suddenly the pony threw the girl.
Stunned and snatched along in the ir-
resistible retreat Of the Atlantic roller
her senseless body was borne out to
sea.
Mad with terror. the groom. no swim
ner, lashed at the mare. and. crying
for help, tore like the wind up the bank
and round the rabbit warren in the d.
rection of Port Barry. Constantine ran
SWAN.
Aided by two fishermen, whom the
cries of the groom had brought to the
spot In time to see Constantine stagger
up the sands with his burden, the
young man conveyed the girl to Sea-
view house.
He fingered long enough to learn that
the doctor, who was staying In the
house, had said Miss Ruby would do;
then he lounged home.
Early in the afternoon Of the follow
ing day the Seaview house party. Ia
dies and men, were grouped ON the
small leyeled bit Of green In front Of
the house, waiting for the carriages to
come round. A mans figure was seen
approaching along the brow Of the
hill.
my dear" said Mr.. Merritt to her
husband, ITS the young fisherman who
rescued Ruby. He has put on his Sun
day Clothes" she added.
Mr.. Merritt, as the young man came
up, felt In his waistcoat pocket.
Constantine lifted his hat to the Ia
dies.
II should be very glad" he said, ad-
dressing Mr.. Merritt, ITO know how
Miss Merritt is"
Certainly, certainly" said Mr.. Mer7
ritt, with an affable air. Miss Merritt
ID progressing most favorably. The
DOCTORS orders are that Miss Merritt
n to keep quiet and see no one but her
nurse, but that is precautionary meas
ure. I'm sure-hum-sure-yo con-
duct-most creditable to you. I'm sure
-I-hum-hadn't time to-to speak to
you yesterday. and myself and Mrs.
Merritt would like"
He handed Constantine q $6 gold
piece.
The young man looked at 1t curiously.
Then his eye darted over the pursy
Azure and pasty face Of Mr.. Merritt.
81 wonder now" said Constantine.
"what your forefathers were doing
while mine were feasting kings and
marrying kings daughters in this ISL
andY'
Mr.. Merritt started back and almost
shoked.
Constantine glanced toward two
Usher lads who were standing Q good
way of with a big crab In a basket,
The gold coin was spun In the air and
was caught by Andy Neil.
There, boysv' said Constantine.
You'll drink the health Of the English
gentleman"
He smiled again, saluted the ladies',
turned, and, with a slow. sauntering
step, walked away.
'Who Is heY' exclaimed Mr.. Merritt.
A little man, the parson Of the near
est church, stepped forward.
THAT is Malcolm Constantine" he
said. Its quite true he Is the last of
q very old family. But they were to-
tally ruined In his great-grandfather's s
time, and the young man hasn't q
penny"
"Impudent beggarw' said Mr.. Merritt,
fuming.
"Supposing he had been a fisherman,
my dear" said Mrs. Merritt meekly;
II thought you would have made 1t
&26."
No one perceived at a window above
their heads a handsome little listening
face with brown hair falling round 1t.
Ruby had witnessed the whole scene
heard every word
Four days later came Sunday. Con-
stantine was sitting alone by his peat
hre. which the creeping chill in the air
made necessary, when there came a
knock. The old woman who looked
after the house for him was out. Con
stantine went to the door. and there
stood Ruby Merritt.
Il didn't believe ia see you," she
aid. impetuously, "and I'm going back
= school tomorrow. But they've all
hxayen over to church at Coleraine. and
bQs am. You saved my life. want
b thank you"
Osnstantine frowned. II wish you
wouldn't mention that, Miss Ruby.
You're none the worse for 1t; that's all
that signifies" he said.
THAT clergyman, Mr.. Saunders, was
talking Of you yesterday. He said:
The young man has frst-rate abilities,
but he'd rather starve and NOPE his
ufe away In this corner. where the COM
mon people hold him in honor as a
Constantine, than try and make his
way among a crowd. It's a thousand
pities.' 1 said: why don't you tell
him soY He answered.: oh. my dear
Miss Ruby it's no affair Of mine And
I thought and thought all night In
the morning l. was decided. 1t Is an
affair Of mine. Why? Because owe
you. my life, and because-I like you 50
much-so much-you don't know! And
vhon I hear thingS-When they say
thinEs-it hurts me-: There. now you're
vaxed."
mo" said Constantina mo, Miss
Ruby. Its only that when . man has