The St. Johns herald., 1899-09-02
Paid in Full
6600 ARRY, dear, don't goP
sssseesseeeeeeeseees
>S be choosers," I answere

Inl Il must, C1S; DeggarS can
 SS be choosers," I answered bitterly. "After all, dearest girl, 1t will be only for a few months"
 "A year, Pm afraid, Harry, from what father says"
 "Well, since he has found me this work I mustn't shirk 1t. Good-by, my own girl"
 What misery does poverty entail on loving hearts! Cicely Fleming and had loved one another for years-eyel since, indeed, we were children togeth CT. I had spent the few hundreds my father left me in completing my engi neering education in Germany. Ther I came home, confident of finding work. But nothing came my way 1T spite of every endeavor. At last MT Fleming's interest procured me a place as assistant engineer in building new lighthouse on the dangerous island oi Skryn. off the west coast of Ireland. Il was not the work I wanted. It would bring little credit, however well done The pay was poor, and the prospects of the hardships and loneliness were not calculated to raise ones spirits. There would be but one other skilled engineer on the spOt-an lrishman, understood, named Callan.
 parted with Cis on Tuesday. Fri day morning found me on the small sailing craft which was the only means of communication between Skryn and the mainland.
 Soon we landed, and I waded ashore and walked up the steep path to the top of the cliff.
 As reached the summit a man met me, and, holding out his hand, said:
 "Good morning! You're MT. Brydon, I suppose? Pm Gallant"
 I thought the voice unpleasant, but, glancing up into the mans face, decid- ed that it was even worse than the voice.
 He was not so ill-looking least, as far as features went. It was not till later that discovered the peculiar re- pulsion he inspired me with was due to his eyes. These were extraordinarily dark and piercing, but across the iris of one was a remarkable pale yellow mark, which, combined with a very slight squint, gave him an absolutely uncanny appearance.
 Callan walked back with me. A very few steps brought us to the huts. They were the regular homemade article of wood and zinc. There was one for each of us, and little way off another, a good deal larger, for the workmen. There were six of these-rough Come mara men.
 From where we stood on the summit of the grass-clad knoll-for the island was no more-we could gaze out sea- ward to where immense rollers poured in gentle thunder over ledge of black, sharp-fanged rocks. Far out on this ugly reef could be seen the beginning of the new lighthouse.
 I was busy all that day getting my things unpacked and my little cabin in order. It consisted of one room only. On one side was a bunk, on the other an oil-Stove, on which was perched a big iron kettle found had to do my own cooking. A table and two chairs completed the equipment. There was a door on the eastern side, and single window just opposite. turned in early and slept like a top in the cool sea air.
 Next day was up betimes, boiled my big kettle, made my coffee, and was out on the reef before Callan was visi- ble The men were already at work. I spoke to them, but either they could not or would not talk. Presently Cal Ian came out, scrambling along the reef. What burly brute he looked in the clear morning sunlight! He spoke to the men with extraordinary rough ness. They evidently feared him, and, 1 soon saw, hated him, too.
 This puzzled me till I knew him bet ter. But a very few days opened my eyes. If ever there lived a man with out one grain of pity in his compost tion, 1t was Eugene Callan. He seemed to take an absolute delight in cruelty for cruelty's sake. There was boy called Barney McKeown, who acted as servant to Callan. The way Callan bullied that unfortunate boy was ap- palling l wondered how the others could see such things happening. But 1 found Callan would not keep any man on the works whom he could not absolutely terroriZe. He was practical ly king of the place. Me he did not molest. and you may imagine how careful I was not to run counter to him. For the thought was ever pres ent, If could accomplish my share of the work satisfactorily, 1t might lead to better things And my sweet Cicely waiting for me inspired me to suffer and be strong.
 Very soon hated Callan as much as the rest.
 A few weeks later we had a storm, which stopped all work.
 l sat in my hut reading most of the day, and listening to the gusts that roared at times like thunder. Once or twice I fancied a shriller sound min gled with the gale.
 Late in the afternoon 1t lulled a lit