The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-26
The SORROWS OF PSYCHE.

(written for the Record Union. by Len-)
Winters Island was one Of the gems
of the Bay Malone. The family that
owned it were rough diamonds, posslb-
ly, but were noted for hospitality,
which of itself is a jewel
| Psyche, or Sikee, as they called her,
was the only daughter of this proml-
nent family AS their home was on
the bluff, and they were the sole resi-
dents, this prominence went unques-
toned.
They were ignorant people, and knew
nothing of mythology, and the girl had
been named after a yacht. A neigh
Dor on the main said: 'sThey got their
gals name, Verbena, off of a bottle
Of scent" Which, no doubt, answered
as well for whats in name" any
how
The girl was pretty and 10. With a
wild rose complexion and big brown
eyes and a tangle of thick brown hair
to her slim waist, and shy and ignorant
as she was pretty.
Clarence Clyde was one of the army
of tourists that roam from Dan to
Beersheba," but never guilty of fol
lowing the man from Cooks" prefer
ring unbeaten paths.
Thetunwonted beauties of this island
home attracted him, and for six sum-
mers he had spent most of his vacation
here, resting and fishing. Sikee had
grown from small tot to a maiden,
following him around to help dig CLANS,
clean his guns, and had rowed the
small boat ever since she was large
enough to hold an oar.
! She was never shy with him, always
putting up her pink cheek when he
asked her for a kiss, till this summer
when the tall slim, girlish figure SEEM
ed to say as she greeted him, Il am not
a child now and Clarence somehow
omitted the kiss, though Sikee would
not have minded it at all, and missed
the usual caress.
His vacation was over, and as he
stood with Sikee on the beach he was
saying: Il leave tomorrow, and you
won't see me for many summers Are
you sorry, Sikee, to have me go?"
At his question the pink cheeks lost
their rosy hue, and the big brown eyes
had wistful, forlorn look as she gazed
over the water Wish 1 was a goin'
too I hate this here and her small
hand swept in gesture the island.
Spring, winter, autumn, no summer
till you came, then this summer you
you are not the same" and the tears
came hurrying to the brown eyes and
over the pink cheeks
"Oh, come, don't cry" said Clarence,
with all a mans hatred of tears
You will go, too, some day, and set
tie down on the mainland in a home
of your own
She stopped crying at his soothing
tone, looking up at him with wet eyes
You bet I won't" she said. Il don't
want any home unless you are in it,
Clarence bit his lip, he was f1attered
at the preference of even this ignorant
little girl. whom he had taught to like
him, careless as to the outcome of it.
or the girls future. He was not
bad hearted fellow, only young, ego
tistical and somewhat vain as yet and
any conquest of a heart was incense to
his vanity
They had been dragging or raking
scollops and a large pile, the result of
their labor, lay on the white sand, the
clicking of the opening and closing
shells sounding like reports of a. toy
pistol.
Her father was coming toward them
with several bags of canvas to put
them in, ready for shipment on the
passing steamer Lunenburg on her
trip, the steamer always stopping at
his signal and ready to take them on
board from the boat he had taken out
to meet them
When Clarence left the next day
Sikee was not there to say good by.
but from the boat he could see a for
lorn little figure on the shore watch
ing him, and he waved his hat. but she
returned no answering signal, and he
felt some qualms Of conscience. but all
Oh life was ahead of him. and the island
episode drifted from his memory.
During the winter Sikee's father
came from the main one day saying
a merchants wife wanted help. and
would give nice girl her board. and
chance to attend school, IF 1 wus
you, CURL, I'd go, cause 1 amt got
nothin' ito edicate you with" said he.
And Sikee went willingly, the oppor-
tun1ty had come to leave behind her
her now distasteful life.
-Four years passed. She had gradu
ated from the high school. and one
wealthy old gentleman, who had taken
a great interest in her, sent her to the
normal. Here, too, she was success
ful, and came through with first-class
diplomas, and prizes, showing that the
time and money had not been wasted
The Laurie House was full of guests.
ana the short summer season was at
Its night in the well-known summer
resort. Baltimore, Virginia. New York.
Boston, all the New England States,
had sent quota to escape their own
hot breezes. For Nova Scotia is cool
even IN August, and decolette gowns
are shivery affairs in the play of it's
evening breeze
1t was at the breakfast table. and
the party were nearly all New Haven
girls, who were having early breakfast
before going to the golf links on the
green hills.
what singular stick that Clyde of
New York is said one damsel in a low
tone; l believe he has history" she
continued; either married or engaged,
or has past which forbids him to do
either"
Don't row, fish, spoon or cut bait
laughed another.
And dancing bores him. He don't
even shoot What on earth is the use
Of, him coming here?" chimed in third
girl.
Let us boycott him at golf" sug-
gested another
! Boycott" chorused the lot. 'sHe is
ahead OF us in that. We are the boy