The true northerner., 1899-05-17
A SEASIDE ROMANCE.

heightened. lhe man bowed MS rougn hedu
as one abashed, and twitched his cap nerv-
ously. Then Lassie Baxter laughed long and
loud, and at the sound spasm OF pain
crossed his honest face.
She was the acknowledged belle of the
little fishing village and she knew it. But
she loved the rough fisherman at her side,
even though she would not confess it to him.
He was her ideal, and while others, some
of them, more eligible from the social stand
point were suitors for her hand and heart,
she intended in time to dismiss them all
and marry the lover at her side. But tine
time for this was not yet. Her reign in the
village was too pleasant TO sacrifice it as yet,
and while she waited what harm was there
in deriving all the pleasure possible from
tormenting her suitors. Little did the girl
dream of the anguish in the mans heart.
Little did she realize how almost his life
hung upon the idle words she was speaking
Had she done so this story would never have
been written, the village fisherfolks would
have had the events in chronicles to talk
about, but in the end she could have been
no happier.
Don't you be a fool, Harry" said the
little beauty. "Pm too young to marry yet" !"
The man shook his head doggedly
There's summun else - he said slowly.
maybe there is; maybe there isn't.
What's it got TO do with you!"
A wave of passion shook the strong frame,
and with a sob he threw himself on the turf
at her feet.
Don't be hard on me, Lassie" he cried,
imploringly. Il know you're far, far too
good for the like O me, but tell me / can
hope little. I'd work my fingers to the
bone for you! God knows, l love you dear
ly--ah, don't turn away from me"
She looked again at the man debased be-
fore her, her bosom heaving and falling with
pleasurable excitement, and if for one in
slant the shadow of fear crossed her face,
it speedily disappeared.
Get up, man." she said.
He rose and regarded her little shame
fully. But she said no more and there was
a silence, the ~ exulting in the delicious
sense of her power over this patient soul.
Then Harry began to speak, slowly and
painfully. Il saw you yesterday" he said,
walking with your doctor. II know he'd
be better for you than me. So only say the
word, lass, and l won't trouble you again" I"
yes; l love him." said she, falsely,
cruelty.
Harry turned abruptly, thrust on his hat
and disappeared over the slope of the cliffs
The gayety died out of the girls eyes, and
she ran forward and glanced down the hill
Harry" she cried. Harry"
But he had gone too far, and did not
hear.
With cry she threw herself onto the
ground. "What, oh, what have l done,"
she moaned. For some minutes she lay
there thinking of the bright future she had
planned for herself as Harry's wife, and now
she had ruined her life and his by an idle
word which she did not mean. But after
a time her youth asserted itself, and she
walked homeward feeling that he would
come back to her. What a reception she
would give him when he came, with what
words of love she would greet him.
AS the twilight deepened the sky became
one huge mass of black inky clouds. Away
out at sea the white horses began their
ghostly play, and half dozen fishing ves-
sells, their brown sails bellying before the
furious gale till their mainmasts creaked and
shuddered, flew at terrific speed toward the
shore before the coming storm.
On the beach was gathered an anxious
group from the village, peering across the
angry waters. The women beat their hands
nervously and walked to and fro in agita-
ton. Some of the men made speaking
couragement to their mates.
The smacks drew nearer. Almost in a
line they mounted the crest of one gigantic
wave and were shot into the Swallows amid
indescribable confusion. Half a score of
brave fellows rushed waist deep into the
sea; the women hauled sturdily at the lines
that were thrown out, and inch by inch,
fighting against the strong undercurrent, the
half water-logged craft were at last drawn
up the shingle to safety.
All the escaped ones were wet to the skin;
many were bruised; jests and laughter be-
gan to pass around.
Suddenly a cry rose from one of the girls:
80, look! There's a rowboat out there!"
Eyes were strained out in the darkness,
and sure enough a tiny shadow was seen,
tossing helplessly in the mighty element.
"My God!" CALCULATED an old fisherman.
"Its the young doctor He took Jim
Croby's boat this afternoon"
Then clear above the turmoil, rose the
sound of keel grating on the stones. and
man pushed his way to the waters edge.
a dozen hands were stretched to stay him.
Come back, you fool!" roared 20 voices
Harry shook them off fercely, gave his
boat a vigorous push, and jumped in. The
undertow sucked it down like a straw, and
it mounted clear to the crest of an incom-
ing wave, and there hung for an instant shiv-
erng like live thing, the occupant cling
ing to seat. The next instant both had dis
appeared.
Then the rain descended, and a blackness
covered the face of the ocean like a funeral
pail Lassie Baxter lay prone on the shin
gle, her pretty head bowed on her arms,
and her frame shaken with sobs.
Half an hour passed. Then men walked
up and down like Gagged beasts. There was
nothing to do, nothing to be seen.
Presently an object was hurled from the
darkness like a cork. 1t was Harry's boat
bottom upwards.
God rest him." said one.
"Poor lass" said another.
At that moment shout came from sea-
wards. They sprung in as far as they dared,
shouting back. The crowd pressed forward;
then loud, continued cheer burst out, and
Harry was helped on shore, the young doe
tor insensible, but still clinging to his belt.
Harry's eyes were bloodshot, his veins
were starting out like cords upon his face,
and his breath came in gasps.
"Upset-few yards away" he suffered.
IL 4 6. a