The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-26

gossip with his old friend, and when the
father was gone he did not even think
of the son, and Iannic saw no more of
Perrine At first she thought of him
and missed him, and then she forgot
him. She was very young, and her
heart, which had opened too soon to
love, closed again.
For long time Iannic thought she
loved him: then he began to doubt.
He was miserable in his uncertainty
and walked along the beach thinking
of the days when she had been there
beside him and hoping she would come
again to find him. AS the DAYS passed
ana she did not come his doubt grew
into certainty and the pain of it was
almost more than he could bear
Months passed, and years, and his love
for her lived and grew, starved as it
was for encouragement He never
really gave up the hope of having her
back one day beside him on the rocks
He worked and saved, meaning to go
to her father and ask for her hand
when he had enough to offer.
Formerly he went seldom to the viii
lage. as all his happiness was out on
the lighthouse rock, but now he went
Oftener, hoping to catch a glimpse Of
her. But he never met her face to
face, and he knew that she avoided
him. Her father, too, seemed to be-
grudge a few words to the son of his
old friend, and Iannic grew hard and
bitter in his thoughts of them both
he, who had never had an unkind word
for any one because his soul was full
of the light and beauty of his surround
ings.
on the evening when Kerisouet had
invited the wedding guests Iannic was
passing the wine. He heard the voice,
recognized it, and stepped inside just
in time to hear the health to the man
who was to marry Perrine. No one
saw the figure in the doorway, with its
white face and clinched hands, which
stood a moment looking in and then
turned and STROBE away into the night.
In the harbor the boats were strining
at their anchors in the rising wind and
rocking ard pumping against each other
Iannic was still filled with a desire to
get into one and put out to sea, away.
anywhere to leave that terrible thing
he had just heard behind him. His brain
was on fire and he ran along the beach.
struggling against the wind, up toward
the place near the lighthouse where his
own boat was moored. AS he ran the
spray drenched him at. every step. but
he took no notice OF II. he LETT the mar
Dor and began clamt ering over the slip
perry rocks, impelled by a passionate de-
sire for motion and speed. Below him
the sea roared and clouds came thicker
and hid the moon for all except sudden
flashes Of pale light, which revealed the
grandeur of sea and sky.
Suddenly, in one of these bursts of
moonlight, Iannic saw beneath him.
near long lire of rocks stretching into
the water a small boat, with her sail
up.
The fool!' he thought, stopping to
watch the movements of the struggling
thing; what did he steer in here for?
He'll never get out now, and L wouldn't
give much for his boat or his life down
in that churn tonight"
Even as he spoke, the boat struck
the rocks and FINISHED and the moon
was hidden by a cloud.
Hang ont" TOaTed Iannic, daShing
down the rocks in the darkness. All his
own trouble was forgotten when there
was a life to be saved. As fast as he
could he scrambled out over the great,
wet, rough stones until he heard above
the noise a faint cry of Help" and
/ knew that he was near the man.
Once more the moon came out and
then Immediately vanished, but he had
seen figure clinging to a jutting point
half submerged in the water He reach
ed him and, lying fiat, placed his arms
beneath the shoulders of the other
Put your arms around my neck" he
sad. The man obeyed and as he turned
his face up the moon sailed once more
out Of the shadow and Iannic looked IN
to the face Of LOic KalbriS.
In that instant Iannic knew that he
| held the life Of his rival in his hands. \
/ wild, bitter joy thrilled all his being at
/ thought Of dropping his arms and let
! ting the man sink back into the sea.
! To be revenged on Perrine for her faith
/ lessnessi
But only for a second did that thought
/ fiji him. The face of the girl rose be-
/ fore his eyes; he saw her mourning for
J her drowned lover With a mighty eff
/ fort he raised the man and pulled him
/ up to the rock. Then he seemed to loose
| his hold; he slipped and fell into the sea.
/ Kalbris cried out to him and crouched
/ there waiting for him to come to the
/ surface But Iannic was never seen
again.
The wedding took place the next day,
! but it was noticed that the bride was
/ pale and her eyes red from weeping.
| Her lover had told the story of his res
/ cue and she could not get the image of
! the drowned man out of her mind
/ At the request Of Perrine a cross OF
/ stone was erected high on the rocks and
1 on it was carved: "Iannic, the fisher
man; silent and noble in life as in
/ death"
Official Council Proceedings.