Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-11-02
A SEASIDE ROMANCE.

She stood on the cliffs, the fresh sai.
breeze playing with her curls, TIE spark.s
of mischief in her eyes, and her color
heightened. The man bowed his rough head
as one abashed, and twitehed his cap nery.
ously. Then Lassie Baxter laughed long and
loud, and at the sound a spasm Of pain
crossed his honest face.
She was the Acknowledged belle Of the
little fishing village and she knew il. But
she loved the rough fisherman az her side.
even though she would not confess Il 70 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 70 dismiss them al
and marry the lover at her side But toe
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 bis life
hung upon the idle words she was speaking
Had she done 70 this story would never have
been written, the village fsherfolks would
have had the events in chronicles 20 talk
about, but in the end she could have been
no happier.
Don't you be a fool, Harry" said the
little beauty. I'm too young 70 marry yet.
The man shook his head doggedly
There's summun else" be said slowly.
Maybe there is; maybe there isn't.
What's il got to DO with your"
A wave Of passion shook the strong frame,
aud with a sob be threw himself on the turf
at her feet.
Don't be hard on me, Lassiei he cried.
imploriugly u know you're far, far too
good for the like O. me, but tell me ] can
hope a little. I'd work my fingers to the
bone for youl God knows, love sou dear
yah don't turn away from me-
She looked again az the man debased be
fore her her bosom heavIug and falling with
pleasurable excitement, and Il 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 girl exu.ting In the delicious
sense Of her power over this patient soul.
Then Harry began to speak, slowly and
painfully. Il saw you yesterday" be said,
walking with your doctor. IL know he'd
be better for you than me So only say the
word, lass, and | won't trouble you again"
Yes; ] love him. said she. falsely,
cruelty.
Harry turned abruptly, thrust on his bat
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 be had gone too far, and did not
bear.
With a cry she threw herself onto the
ground What, oh, what have done"
she moaned. For some minutes she lay
there thinking Of the bright future she had
planned for herself as Harry wife. and nov
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 be would
eome back 70 her. What a reception she
would give him when be came, with what
words Of love she would greet him.
AZ the twilight deepened the sky became
one huge mass Of black inky clouds. AVA
out at sea the white horses began then
shostly play, and half dozen fishing YES
.els. their brown sails bellying before the
furious gale til their mainmasts creased and
shuddered, few 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
trumpets Of their hands and shouted en-
enlargement to their mates.
The smacks drew nearer. Almost IN
line they mounted the crest Of one gigantic
wave and we're shot into the Swallows amid
ndescrihahle confusion. Half score Of
brave fellows rushed waist deep into the
.ea; the women hauled sturdily az the lines
that we're thrown out, and inch by inch
fighting against the strong undercurrent, the
half waterlogged craft were at last drawn
up the single to safety.
Al the escaped ones were wet to the skin;
many were bruised; iests and laughter be
gan TO pass around.
Suddenly a cry rose from one Of the girls:
20. lookl There's a rowboat out therei
Eyes we're strained out in the darkness,
aud sure enough a tiny shadow was seen,
tossing helplessly in the mighty element
MY Cod" 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 a keel grating on the stones and
nan pushed his way 20 the waters edge.
4 dozen hands were stretched to stay him
Come back, you iooll' roared 20 voices
Harry shook them of tercely, gave his
boat a vigorous push, and jumped in. The
undertow sucked il down like straw and
Il mounted clear to the crest Of an ineom-
inc wave, aud there hung for an instant shiv
ering ike live thing. the occupant cling
ing TO a seat The next instant both had dis
Then the rain descended, and blaokness
covered the face Of the ocean like funeral
pall. Lassie Baxter lay prone on the shin
ele. 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 vas
nothing to do. nothing to be seen.
Presently an object was hurled from the
darkness ike a cork. 1t was Harry's boat
bottom upwards.
God rest him. said one.
Poor lass" said another.
At that moment a shout came from sea
,,,rds They sprung in as far as they dared.