The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-13
A Seaside Romance,

A Seaside Romance.
She stood on the cliffs. the fresh salt
| breeze playing with her cults. the sparkle
of mischief in her eyes, and her color
| heightened. The man bowed his rough
head as one abashed, and twitched MS
cap nervously. Then Lassie Baxter laugh
| ed long and loud, and at the sound of q
! spasm Of pain crossed his honest face.
| Don't be a fool, Harry said the little
| beauty. I'm too young TO marry yet.
| The man shook his head doggedly.
There's summun else" he said, slowly.
| Maybe there is; maybe there is. What's
| it go TO do with you2"
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. AZ know you're far,
| far too good for the like o. me, but tell
me I can hope a little. I'd work my fin
gers TO the bone for you'll God knows 1
love you dearly-ah, don't turn away from
me"
She looked again at the man debased
before her, her bosom heaving and fall
ing with pleasurable excitement, and if
for one instant the shadow of fear cross
ed her fafce. it speedily disappeared.
Get up, man." she said.
He rose and regarded her a little
shamefuIly. But she said no more and
there was a silence, the girl exulting in
the delicious sense of her power over
this patient soul.
Then Harry began to speak. slowly and
painfully 'I 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 won't trou-
bic you again.
yes; I 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.
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 fish
ing vessels, their brown sails beIlying be-
fore the furious gale tin their mainmasts
creaked and shuddered, flew at terrific
spec towards the shore before the coming
storm.
group from the village, peering across the
angry waters. The women beat their
hands nervously and walked to and fro
in agitation. Some of the men made
speaking trumpets of their hands and
shouted encourag cement to the mates.
The smacks drew nearer. Almost in
line they mounted the crest of one gil
gantic wave and shot into the shadows
amid indescribable confusion. Half
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 Single to
safety.
All the escaped ones were wet to the
skin; many were bruised; jests and laugh
ter began to pass around
Suddenly a cry rose from one Of the
girls:
80, look! There's a row boat out
there!"
Eyes were strained out in the darkness.
and sure enough a tiny shadow was seen
tossing helplessly in the mighty element.
MY Godr' calculated an old fisherman.
cts the young doctor! He took jim
Croby's boat this afternoon"
Then, clear above the turmoil rose the
sound Of a keel grating on the stones
and a man pushed his way to the waters
edge.
A dozen hands were stretched to stay
him.
Come back, you foolw roared twenty
voices
Harry shook them off fercely, gave his
boat vigorous push, and jumped in.
The undertow sucked it down like
straw, and it mounted clear to the crest
Of an incoming wave and there hung for
an instant shivering like live thing, the
occupant clinging to a seat. The next
instant both had disappeared.
Then the rain descended, and a black
ness covered the face Of the ocean like a
funeral pail. Lassie Baxter lay prone on
the shingle, her pretty head bowed on
her arms, and her frame shaken with
sobs.
Half an hour passed. Shen 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
boat bottom upwards
God rest him." said one
Poor lass said another
At that moment shout came from
Stewards. They sprung in as far as they
dared, shouting back. The crowd pressed
shore, the young doctor INN uLvhfwr
burst out, and Harry was helped on
shore. the young doctor insensible, bu:
stin 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.
'Cpset-few yards away" he suffered
Had TO swim for it,
They would have taken the doctor from
him, but he waved them aside.
Leave him to me-" he said
He staggered up to Lassie with his bur
den, and laid him gently on the stones.
There's your sweetheart. Lasse,'' said
he, and fell like a log at her feet.
They brought him round presently. and
Lassie. on her knees by his side, her
face close to his. whispered:
1t wasn't true. Harry. dear. I don't
care for him a bit. It's YOU"
He looked At her duly, TT was a lie.
them" he asked.
Yes" said Lassie. i've been wicked.
know"
lie put her aside roughly and rose.
Then, 90 and lie to others" ne cried,
and tramped away into the night
But still, you see. he was in love So.
he married her after all.-Ex